The moment the bell rang, the class settled into its rhythm, the soft hum of machinery and typing filling the air. Kael stole a quick glance at Lyra. She hadn't lifted her head since the last comment, her ponytail brushing lightly against her shoulder as she kept her face down. The silence between them was heavy, awkward even, but neither seemed willing to break it.
The tech lesson droned on, the teacher explaining the nuances of data integration, but Kael's focus wasn't on the lecture. Instead, it lingered on Lyra—how she sat so straight despite the stiffness of the bench, the way her fingers unconsciously fiddled with the corner of her notebook. She seemed entirely absorbed in her own world, avoiding his gaze as if it could expose her in some small, private way.
Kael leaned closer, his voice a near whisper, careful not to draw attention. "I'm sorry… if I said something wrong earlier," he murmured. "I just… I don't have anything to refer to, so… the notes would really help."
There was no immediate reply. Kael glanced at her, expecting the usual quiet, measured glance that might carry a hint of dismissal. But then, just as he was beginning to lose hope, Lyra slowly shifted her notebook toward his side, her hand hovering for a brief second before letting it slide closer.
Kael's eyes brightened. A small, genuine smile spread across his face, and he gave her a subtle nod, a silent thank-you. The gesture was enough—not loud, not demanding, just a quiet acknowledgment—but it gave Kael a little boost, a sense of reassurance that perhaps he could navigate this new environment.
He returned his focus to the notes, scanning the pages quickly, his confidence quietly growing. It wasn't a friendship yet—not a fully formed one—but it was a start. Kael understood that Lyra might still see him as cautious, maybe even a bit soft, but her action hinted at trust, however tentative. And for him, that was enough to take his first steps in this strange, new world.
---
The final bell of the day echoed softly through the classroom. Kael gathered his half-empty bag—there weren't many books to carry for now—and slung it over his shoulder. His gaze drifted toward Lyra, who was quietly packing her things as well.
"Thanks," he said softly, catching her attention just enough. "Because of you, I had a lovely first day at school. Cya… bye."
Lyra didn't reply immediately. She heard his words, but they seemed to sink in slowly, and by the time she found her thoughts, both she and Kael had already left the school grounds. On her way home, she thought of a reply, but the words never reached him directly.
Outside, Kael spotted Lusia waiting near the school gate, her uniform slightly disheveled from the day's activities.
"Finally done, sleepyhead?" she teased, a mischievous grin on her face.
Kael smirked, ready this time. "Took you long enough to notice, huh? I thought I'd have to send a search party."
Lusia laughed, lightly swatting his shoulder. "You think you're funny, huh?!"
"And you think I'm not?" Kael shot back, matching her teasing tone. They laughed together, the comfortable rhythm of friendship—or something like it—settling between them as they walked home.
By the time they reached lusia's home—Kael finally asked the question that had been lingering in his mind.
"So, what should I do about the notes?" he asked.
Lusia leaned against the doorframe, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Two options," she said. "Digital or physical books."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Two options?"
"Yeah," Lusia replied with a shrug. "We live in a time where technology is advanced enough to go interstellar, but Origin Town still loves tradition. Most work is paper-based, aside from the smart boards and holographic lecture equipment the teachers use." She gestured vaguely toward the city visible beyond the forest. "The cities beyond the forest lean more toward tech. But no matter where you go, one thing's common…" She paused, lowering her voice slightly, a hint of seriousness behind the tease. "The Path."
Kael tilted his head. "The Path?"
Lusia's eyes flickered briefly. "It's… not fully known, even to students or citizens. Those who get involved, they learn. Common people don't. It doesn't affect their lives. It's rare, and… special."
Kael's curiosity flared. "How can I know about it, then?"
"You can," Lusia said casually, though her eyes betrayed a hint of knowing amusement. "I guess you must have seen it in my book—the selection happens in six months."
Kael froze. "Wait—when did I touch your books?"
Lusia raised a brow, a smile tugging at her lips. "Mister, I'm not a fool. I had a bookmark on that page, but after you left that day, it was misplaced."
Kael blinked, caught in his own embarrassment. He opened his mouth to argue, but… nothing. He knew she was right.
Lusia waved her hand dismissively. "No worries. You would have noticed eventually. It's something I wanted to tell you anyway."
Kael nodded, letting the moment pass, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Kael grabbed his bag and turned to leave, "Alright, I'll head to the inn now."
Lusia shook her head gently, her voice soft but tinged with concern. "You can't. The inn is closed today."
Kael froze. "Closed? But… my room…"
"It wasn't booked in the usual way," Lusia explained. "Your room was being updated on a daily basis, so you can't access it today. The staff is absent."
Kael blinked, confused. "Staff absent?"
"Yeah," she said, her tone a bit sad. "One of the manager's relatives passed away yesterday, so the inn is closed for the day. Those who already had booked rooms can still stay, but your room… it's on the daily update system. So for the rest of the week, you can't go there."
Questions flooded Kael's mind. One week? Where am I going to stay? Should I ask Lusia? What if she thinks I'm relying too much on her… no, I shouldn't ask. That would feel wrong. And my clothes, my things… are they gone for a whole week?
Lusia's voice cut through his thoughts. "Don't worry, your stuff was already delivered to my granny's shop."
Kael furrowed his brows. "Why?"
She smirked slightly, playful but confident. "I talked with my granny because I knew this could happen today. I explained the situation, and she agreed—you can stay here."
Kael's surprise showed on his face. "You mean… really? That easily?"
"Yes," Lusia replied, her lips twitching in a suppressed smile. "Though… well, there's one thing. You'll have to help with cleaning the shop a little. Granny insisted, and I said yes in your place."
Kael's jaw tightened, a mix of mild frustration and resignation forming. Seriously, Lusia, you should have asked me first. Now I'll have to do chores in my free time…
He shook his head, letting out a small sigh, and headed to change into his nightwear.
Once ready, he sat on the edge of the bed, the day's events still swirling in his mind. Lusia flopped down on the other side of the room, stretching lazily.
"So…" Kael began, scratching the back of his head, "about those notes and books… I guess I have a choice, right? Digital or paper?"
Lusia tilted her head, a teasing smile forming. "You remembered. Good. But you've got to decide which way you want to go. Digital is fast, convenient, but paper… well, there's a charm to it. And Origin Town loves charm."
Kael grinned faintly. "I think I'll survive either way, I guess. But… the Path, Lusia. You said something about it today. What is it really?"
Lusia's expression softened, but she didn't answer immediately. Instead, she glanced out the window, the moonlight reflecting off her eyes. "Kael… the Path isn't something that can be explained in one conversation. It's something you experience, something you earn. Most people don't even notice it exists until it touches them."
Kael leaned back, his curiosity piqued. "So… it's like a secret? A rare opportunity?"
Lusia hummed softly. "You could say that. But it's not just about luck. It's about choice, awareness, and… well, timing. You'll know when it's your turn."
Kael tilted his head, thinking. "So… six months then? That's when something might happen?"
"Maybe," Lusia said with a playful smirk, "or maybe the Path has already noticed you."
Kael blinked at her, a small chuckle escaping. "Are you teasing me again?"
"Maybe," she said, laughing lightly, "but don't worry. You're doing fine. First day, new place… you survived. That's a start."
Kael smiled, feeling a little warmth settle in his chest. "Yeah… thanks, Lusia. I'd probably be lost without you."
She gave a little shrug, feigning nonchalance. "Don't make it sound so dramatic. I'm just here to make sure you don't trip over your own feet."
Kael laughed softly, shaking his head. "Noted. I'll try not to."
For a few moments, they sat in comfortable silence, the quiet only filled by the faint sounds from the town outside. Eventually, Lusia yawned, stretching her arms above her head.
"Alright," she said, voice softening, "you better get some sleep. Tomorrow's another day, and you'll need energy for it."
Kael nodded, already feeling his eyelids grow heavy. "Yeah… goodnight, Lusia."
"Goodnight, Kael," she whispered back, a small smile lingering.
As Kael lay down, his thoughts wandered to the Path, the strange glimpses of the past, and the little moments of the day that had felt… important. For now, he let sleep take him, the soft glow of the room and the distant moonlight carrying him into rest.
---
Kael's eyes fluttered open—or at least, that was the plan. The morning sunlight streamed faintly through the window, brushing against his face, but he remained stubbornly horizontal, hugging the pillow like it was a lifeline.
A sharp tug on his shoulder jolted him awake. "Kael! Wake up!"
"Mm… five more minutes…" he mumbled, half-buried in the blanket.
Another tug, a little stronger. "Kael! You're going to be late!"
Before he could protest, Lusia leaned in and gave him a firm push. The combination of her weight and Kael's groggy state sent him tumbling off the bed with a thud. He landed on the floor with his arms flopped around him… and promptly went back to sleep.
Lusia sighed, hands on her hips, staring down at him. "This is impossible. You're the most stubborn human I've ever met."
She considered dragging him up herself but thought better of it. "Fine… I'll get ready first. Hopefully, you'll decide to wake up before the sun sets."
A while later, the sound of shuffling feet and an exasperated sigh filled the room. Kael's eyes snapped open. "Huh… already? Morning?"
Lusia, now fully dressed in her uniform, gave him a pointed look. "Yes, and you're lucky I didn't just leave you here sleeping all day. Come on, get moving!"
Kael rubbed his eyes and stretched, yawning. "Okay, okay… I'm up."
Once ready, they stepped outside into the crisp morning air. Lusia led the way through the quaint streets of Origin Town, bustling with merchants and townsfolk. Today, their first stop was the supply shop for Kael's study materials.
Kael's mind wandered as he walked, recalling how Lyra preferred paper notes over digital ones. Maybe that's the better approach… physical books, yes, definitely… He remembered her careful, focused way of organizing everything and the quiet determination in her movements.
When they entered the shop, Kael immediately asked for physical textbooks and a digital notepad, his tone confident.
Lusia blinked at him, her mouth twisting into a mock frown. "Wait… what about my opinion?" she said in that exaggerated 'I-can't-believe-this' tone, crossing her arms.
Kael paused, tilting his head. "Huh… then what is your opinion?"
"Well… sorta the same," Lusia admitted reluctantly, though her cheeks hinted at a smirk.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Then why the face? Your advice and what I'm buying are… basically identical."
Lusia waved her hands in mock frustration, "It's about the principle! You're supposed to at least pretend I'm guiding you properly!"
Kael laughed, shaking his head. "Fine, fine, I'll let you have your moment."
They moved through the aisles of the shop. Kael examined each book, flipping through pages with curiosity, occasionally glancing at the digital notepad. Lusia hovered nearby, pointing out recommended textbooks, giving small comments on quality or ease of reading, but Kael ignored nothing.
At one point, Kael accidentally knocked over a small stack of notebooks. "Ah—oops!"
Lusia quickly bent down to help him gather them. "Really, Kael? Must you test my patience before breakfast?"
"Hey, I didn't do it on purpose!" Kael protested, holding up a notebook.
They both laughed, earning a few curious glances from the shopkeeper.
Once the shopping was done, Kael slung his bag over his shoulder, now half-filled with his carefully selected textbooks and notepad. Lusia gave him a pointed glance. "Just remember… don't let the notepad distract you from actual work."
Kael grinned. "Noted."
Together, they stepped out of the shop, the morning sun brightening the streets. The school entrance loomed ahead, and Kael felt a mix of anticipation and excitement. Today would be another day to settle into life here—but he couldn't help recalling Lyra's meticulous notes and calm focus. Somehow, it had inspired his choice for physical books, and he felt a quiet satisfaction in following that little example.
Lusia nudged him gently as they approached the school gates. "Don't get too lost in your thoughts now. First lessons start soon, and I'm not carrying you through the day."
Kael chuckled, adjusting his bag. "Don't worry, I've got this."
The morning air was crisp as Kael and Lusia reached the school entrance. Before entering fully, they moved toward the identity scanning station. Each student had to scan their personal ID for attendance and to mark their present officially. Kael placed his bracelet—the small bead type—under the scanner, watching as a faint glow traced the contours of his wrist.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lusia holding her hand slightly differently. She slid a ring beneath the scanner, and the machine accepted it immediately.
"Wait… is that your identity encoded in a ring?" Kael asked, curiosity piqued.
Lusia raised an eyebrow, a small smirk on her face. "Wait, did I not tell you? Sorry… you must have felt weird. Honestly, I didn't know about this until I was twelve. Well, you see, your identity can be encrypted in almost any object, as long as it's small and portable. You could even have it in a tattoo."
Kael blinked. "A tattoo?"
"Obviously, it's not for students," Lusia continued, her tone casual but firm. "Adults prefer it. And…" she leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice, "…there are rumors that since you can have a tattoo anywhere, some people encrypt their identity in… well… places you wouldn't expect."
The words hung in the air, silence filling the brief moment. Kael's mind processed it, then finally, he muttered, "Hmm… so people like that actually exist?"
Lusia shook her head with a half-grin. "Rumors. I don't ever want to see it, ever. How could anyone even scan it there anyway? Normal people don't do this."
"So… why tell me?" Kael asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lusia's smirk softened. "Honestly… I just wanted to share this thing that my friends—well, fitted in my head—with you. But the most… haunting part is, according to the rumors, it's not just men who do it. Women, too."
Kael gave a small laugh, a mixture of disbelief and amusement. Lusia shook her head and waved a hand. "Let's just forget all this and go to class."
Before they parted ways, Kael's curiosity got the better of him. "That ring… is it special?"
"Yes," Lusia replied simply, a faint glimmer of emotion in her eyes. "It was my late mother's last gift to me."
Kael felt a flicker of regret. "Sorry… didn't mean to touch such an emotional thought."
Lusia waved him off, her expression calm. "Don't feel bad. It's in the past. I'll cherish it for the rest of my life."
With that, they exchanged quick smiles before moving in different directions toward their respective classrooms.
Kael made his way to his usual seat and noticed Lyra already there, quietly organizing her notes. Her slight pink hair, tied in a single ponytail, fell gracefully over her shoulder, and she didn't even notice him approaching.
"Hey, Lyra," Kael greeted softly, taking the seat next to her, just as he had yesterday.
She looked up, eyes slightly widening, before giving a shy nod. "Good morning…"
Kael smiled gently. "Morning."
As he settled in, glancing at her neat notes, he couldn't help but wonder. Lyra, such a capable, kind person… and yet, she didn't seem to get noticed much in class. It made him frown slightly, feeling a quiet admiration for the girl beside him.