She didn't say much—just took my hand and led me away. I felt a wave of an unknown emotion wash over me as i was practically dragged out of the hall.
Through the winding corridors. Past the echoing murmurs of others. Until we reached an empty classroom. Quiet. Dim. Forgotten, i felt like i wasn't meant to be here and i had to get back to the hall. But a part of me wanted to listen to what she wanted to tell me.
She let go.
The door clicked shut behind us.
I watched her.
She watched me.
I felt the awkwardness grow between us.
There was something in her eyes—soft, but alive. Curious. Enthusiastic in a way that didn't feel forced. Like she wanted to know more about me, i did too but not yet.
She sat down right in front of me.
Crossed her legs.
Tilted her head in away thta made her awkwardly cute. Like a little doll.
"You feel… strange," she said, her voice light. "Your aura's off." I blinked after hearing her.
I felt like laughing, was this what she wanted to tell me. Still keeping myself composed. I didn't answer her.
She didn't push.
Silence fell between us. The kind that wasn't awkward. Just real.
Then—she stood.
Opened her hand.
A flicker of light danced in her palm, pulsing once before unfolding into a Chronicle.
"Let's fight," she said.
I blinked. Taken off guard once again.
She didn't know me.
And I didn't know her.
But the way she looked at me—like I was part of something she couldn't name—made it hard to walk away.
Still, I said, "No."
She blinked. "…Why?"
"I don't know you. I've got better things to do."
Like what, stay in that boring hall and hide away.
I was shocked yet tried to keep it hidden as much as i could. Why do you wanna fight me. We just met.
She pouted her face in a way that made a really cute.
"I lied", she said with her pout..
Why did you lie. I said in the most normal way i could say.
I just wanted to talk to you , but i didn't know what to say.
My composure shattered as i finally laughed, she looked at me and nearly cried.
Why are you laughing, i couldn't answer.
All i did was activate Hide.
And ran out of the class.
She didn't chase me.
Didn't call out.
Didn't even flinch.
Maybe she'd never seen me at all. I didn't know why i did but i felt the nned to .
---
Back in the Grand Hall, the crowd had thinned.
The noise had faded to murmurs.
Then—a man stood.
Tall. Robed in dusk-toned fabric, trimmed in gold. His presence was the kind that made the air feel heavier.
When he spoke, it wasn't loud—but every voice in the room died.
"Ascended Jade," a random person said in excitment.
His gaze swept over us like a blade sheathed in silence.
"Why are you here?"
"Fame?"
"Power?"
"Riches"
"Or something darker?"
He didn't wait for answers.
"In the weeks to come," he said, "I hope you find your answer."
Then he stepped down from the platform. He was done with his half hearted speech.
I felt really annoyed after realizing i wasted my time just to listen to those words. I didn't see silver again, so i was glad a little.
"Return to your dorms."
Those words echoed through the hall, initializing my hellish days before i would be thrown into the scape.