The carriage came to a full stop at the base of the main building.
Ryan stepped out first, boots hitting cobblestone with a solid thud. Eleanor followed, and the moment they were both clear, the carriage door swung shut behind them.
Students passing by slowed their pace, heads turning.
Ryan felt their stares immediately.
He glanced down at himself. The military uniform he wore was practical, sturdy brown leather with the grey mountain sigil stitched onto the chest. Eleanor wore the same. Both of them looked like they'd just stepped off a patrol in the Rupes mountains, which, they had.
But here, surrounded by flowing robes and polished academy attire, they stuck out like soldiers at a dinner party.
A group of four students whispered to each other as they walked past, eyes flicking between Ryan and Eleanor with poorly concealed curiosity. Another student, a tall boy carrying a thick book under one arm, stared openly before his friend elbowed him and dragged him along.
