The academy day had finally ended, leaving the campus buzzing with students heading toward their dormitories or lingering to discuss the day's events. Wads lingered near the edge of the training grounds a little longer than most, quietly replaying the results of the Diety and physical tests in his mind. The numbers flashed in his memory: first in Diety, yet far behind in physical ranking. He could almost hear the laughter and teasing of Liora and Klyden echoing in his thoughts, their voices light and playful, yet it underscored the gap he still needed to bridge.
He walked through the hallways, stepping carefully in his polished shoes that felt far too formal compared to the mud and dirt of their barefoot journey to the capital. The walls were lined with trophies and plaques from generations of students, their glinting surfaces a silent reminder of what he had yet to achieve. Wads' hands brushed against the railing absentmindedly as he navigated the corridors, head bent slightly, lost in thought.
By the time he reached the door to his dormitory, the sky had softened into a late afternoon glow. Inside, the room was modest yet elegant-simple beds, wooden desks, and a large window letting in the amber light of the setting sun. Keiya Anastasia Zheka's belongings were neatly arranged on the far side of the room, a quiet testament to her composed and meticulous nature. She looked up briefly as Wads entered, her violet eyes catching his for just a second.
He set down his bag silently, sitting on the edge of his bed. His glasses reflected the fading light as he stared at the floor, his mind swirling with strategies and calculations, the weight of expectation pressing against him. Wads had always prided himself on his intellect, yet today, for the first time, the physical shortcomings he carried so quietly seemed sharper, heavier somehow.
Keiya leaned against the doorway, her posture relaxed, observing him without comment at first. She noted the subtle slump of his shoulders and the slight frown that tugged at his lips. Instead of asking directly, she walked over and placed a small sketchbook on his desk with a quiet smile. "Thought you might like a break," she said casually. The corners of her mouth lifted, just enough to hint at amusement. "Or at least a distraction from all the cheering and teasing."
Wads glanced up, caught off guard, and allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Thanks," he murmured, pushing the sketchbook slightly toward himself. Keiya gave a soft nod, then pulled a chair closer to her own desk, keeping her movements unassuming. She didn't need to say more-the gesture alone told him someone noticed, someone understood without judgment.
He opened the sketchbook and let his hands rest over the blank pages, feeling a momentary calm wash over him. Keiya glanced at him again, her gaze lingering just long enough to offer reassurance without breaking his space. Then she returned to her own tasks, leaving him in quiet reflection.
Wads tapped his fingers on the page, thinking of tomorrow's lessons, tomorrow's training. The locket at his chest pulsed faintly, a gentle warmth that seemed to echo the quiet understanding of the room. Perhaps it was a warning, perhaps a comfort. He didn't know yet-but for now, he allowed himself the rare luxury of being seen without pretense, even if only by one perceptive roommate.
And in that quiet dormitory, as shadows stretched across the floor, Wads felt a small, steady spark of resolve. Brain and body might be uneven for now, but with careful planning, determination, and perhaps the right allies, he could find a way to balance them both.