The tavern was a warm, dimly lit refuge in the bustling Veridian City, offering a stark contrast to the academy's imposing spires nearby.
Seated alone at a corner table, sipping a dark, potent wine, was a man who drew every eye in the room.
He appeared to be in his early thirties, possessing an unnerving, ascetic beauty: pale skin, starkly contrasting with his long, dark black hair that fell past his shoulders. His eyes were the most arresting feature, sharp, intelligent, and the unsettling color of the abyss.
A waitress, her cheeks flushed with a mix of excitement and nerves, leaned over his table, her voice a flirtatious murmur. "Anything else I can get for you, sir? Another glass of… or perhaps something more?"
He looked up, offering her a polite, almost ethereal smile. "You are too kind, gorgeous lady. But no, thank you. This is quite enough."
She pouted, clearly disappointed, but just as she turned away, his gaze was drawn to the tavern window.
