As he promised, Anqing arrived at exactly twelve o'clock in his hover car to wait for Farrah dressed in a rather expensive suit. In person, he was more good-looking and appeared fresh and mannerly. His hovercar was also a spacious and expensive model so it drew even more attention. But he didn't care much about how the residents were looking at him, instead, he was worried he was late and Wang-Mu would dislike the ride he had chosen. Just as he was debating changing the car again, a young woman with a low-hanging bun and simple sapphire droplet earrings exited the front doors of the apartment building. Farrah wore a simple black modern cheongsam that stopped at her thighs and was appropriate for a blooming maiden of her age.
Wearing simple makeup with dark fluttering lashes and soft matte lipstick, her ocean-glowing sharp eyes were the most attention-grabbing thing about her. Such a light color for fierce phoenix eyes made others envy and ponder her ability. There was no disdain, but the heroic-looking young woman was also clearly alienating herself from others with a passive coolness. The sapphires dangling from her ears matched the contemporary vintage necklace around her neck. With rich blue gems hanging below her collar surrounded by white gold, even if her dress was simpler in terms of extravagance than her jewelry. They could tell it was more a sense of preference and a good testament to the young woman's steady spirit than vanity and greed.
Anqing was only relieved when Farrah looked over his attire and car with the usual disinterest before he smiled at her flatteringly. "You look nice, the professors won't be able to pick out a flaw about your appearance tonight." She didn't acknowledge his flattery and entered the car wordlessly showing her attitude. Anqing was a simple person and also didn't care to compliment her anymore entering the destination as he sat down across from her. "Once we arrive we'll have to walk from the gate, the banquet hall isn't far but it's still a small distance away. Today I'll accompany you so my dormmates and friends may approach us too occasionally. When it gets too noisy or annoying we can leave after the professors all arrive and get a good look at you."
Farrah listens to his reminders with half interest and half disinterest, seeming to store the information passively. "-Although you're still gonna be approached by people no matter if I'm by your side or not, it'll still be better than being alone. My brother is popular enough to keep the more ambitious people away but it won't give you that many benefits. Even if the school promotes teamwork and unity, it's nonetheless a competitive field where strength, intelligence, and ability are constantly being tested and judged." Farrah held no interest in his warning and eyed him condescendingly "You believe I am not aware of what I am getting involved in?"
Anqing was briefly reminded of when the two first were acquainted and fell silent wearing a conflicted expression. "...It's not that I doubt your ability Wang-Mu, I'm just saying that if you wish to stand out less it'll be hard considering you're a fresh face who is too eye-catching. There are hardly any other eye mutant Aniala born like you who not only look different but also..." He hesitated to continue, in his eyes whenever he saw Wang-Mu in person, the young woman's was overflowing with solid and thick oppressive spiritual energy. But what made it even more intimidating was the fact that it was so clear to someone like himself who had little talent for spotting fluctuation in a person and was able to sense it at a glance. Not to mention, the control she had over that power.
It was as if he were standing before a tsunami hanging over his head ready to crash down and swallow him whole if he wasn't careful. He never met another student with the same discipline and control as her over their energy. Anialas since birth were gifted with spiritual essence, they carried out training to maintain and expand the amount of energy they could carry. But if you tried to store more than you could control. You had the high risk of not only destroying your chances of becoming an official Aniala, but death was also a common occurrence. Prodigies like Wang-Mu were rare, but what was even rarer were prodigies who lived to adulthood and officially debuted in the Opening Ceremonies.
Farrah waited to hear him out, as he knew more about Aniala society than herself. "I'm just saying that whether you want to be a background character or not, there will still be people paying attention to your every move." Prodigies and mutants were attractive features for Anialas. Not even mentioning the normal populace who admired and respected powerful Aniala born. To be gifted with both, Anqing didn't know how Wang-Mu managed to stay hidden from society for so long. And, Anqing wanted to sigh, since she was applying for warrior courses.
Who knew how many people would flock to her side to try and associate with the young woman wanting to hang onto her thighs before she took flight? Wasn't he a good example? Their meeting was one of chance, but their current relationship was due to his qualifications as a good source of information. The moment he saw her and the future she could obtain as an unexpected variable and competent Aniala born. Who wouldn't cling to such a powerful person? Her attitude although a bit odd and antisocial wasn't violent nor too friendly. She had the aura of a powerful future backer and leader.
He took advantage of meeting her first to secure his position before she debuted, as long as he continued to stay by her side throughout her time as a student his position would become more steady as the days go by. Wang-Mu was a mystery, but she was a good mystery who he was willing to risk associating with. Those who move first either gain infinite glory or ruin. He was determined to achieve glory with her. Somewhat knowing his worries and concern but not caring much her answer to his words was simple and blunt. "So?"
Even if Anqing was easy for her to read despite his deeply hidden schemes, he still appeared a bit simple on the outside and sent her an unhappy look. The more simple and friendly someone appears, the more dangerous that person is. Especially if they carry the title of Aniala and qualify for one of the top schools in the country. Lasting so long in a dog-eat-dog world with such a sunny personality you were either a soon-to-be-dead fool or a sneaky two-faced snake.
Farrah leans back seeming at ease despite her most definite difficult destiny, her deep ocean eyes carrying tranquility beyond her years. Her jewelry glimmered under her influence outlining her dominating aura. "If it cannot be helped then it cannot be helped. Let the dogs run the course, it makes no difference to me." A corner of her lip curls up sending a chill down his spine as the sea of energy within the young woman quietly fills the spacious car. "-The Awoken do not care for status or alliances, they do not care if a person is strong or weak or if a person is popular or alone. Their goal is to destroy us humans, so our goal should also be simple."
Anqing watched with pursed lips as she raised a hand out toward him that started steadily accumulating pure energy in the form of chilling water that could track the air he exhaled easily. An orb the size of a baseball lands smoothly in her hand, within it was pure spiritual energy being held within an icey outer layer swirling in an enchanting manner. But knowing the damage such a small beautiful orb could cause. Anqing couldn't help tensing when Farrah rubbed the weapon with her thumb lightly as if it were a plaything. She finally faces him, unconcerned with his human worries. "I merely wanted to evade the limelight to avoid the trouble of being bothered by those Military people who will try to recruit me to their teams. But if it cannot be helped, then I just have to be too much of a wildcard for them to risk bringing in."
Anqing felt bitter when she said this type of thing so casually, most would laugh at a young Aniala who declared such arrogant words. But under her serious evaluation of the situation Anqing had no choice but to swallow her words as fact and support her decision. From their brief meetings in person, Anqing already knew that Wang-Mu had a clear goal in mind for her future. He again couldn't help but wonder; Who was the person who managed to raise such a steady Aniala born into the person she is now? It was as if she was cultivated carefully into someone who wouldn't blink even if another person was shot dead in front of her.
She was the ideal Aniala born. He smiled at her appearing fresh and clueless "If you say so!" It was such an idiotic thing to say Farrah chuckled and didn't poke at his facade anymore. Speaking in an unrestrained and passionate manner was also for his own safety, he was impulsive sometimes but it wasn't like she could despise it. It amused her on occasion and Anqing never dug too deeply into her past too. So their current dynamic was convenient and comfortable. When they arrived at the campus gates, like he said there was indeed a little bit of distance between the gates and the building they were to enter.
Anqing wore a bright sunny smile as he stepped out first before lending her his arm, ignoring the curious looks he had received because of his lavish ride compared to the more reasonable vehicles around them. Farrah didn't reject his help, deciding to give him some face. As she took her first step out of the shadows of the hovercar, she could feel hundreds of eyes staring at her ocean-colored eyes and heard many mutters of admiration. "It's an eye mutant..." This mutter of surprise came from someone who was also just arriving. Prompting her to briefly make eye contact with the student who seemed to have entered a brief daze after she sent him a glance.
After this Farrah paid no more mind to her surroundings. Anqing who was escorting her, however, sent the person who spoke a kind grin and reminder. "It's impolite to stare." Only after Anqing spoke did the student politely remove his gaze apologizing a bit flusteredly. "Sorry." "It's ok, just don't do it again." Even if he spoke kindly, the words were harsh but one look into that friendly face the student couldn't find anything to pick at as Anqing was still speaking politely.
Anqing caught Farrah's tiny smile but pretended to not see it while leading her to the banquet hall. As Anqing had warned her, her new face and eye mutation were very noticeable. Every person who was even mildly sensitive to spiritual energy turned their head to find the source of the hair-rising energy. When unrestraint Farrah was indeed the most eye-catching Aniala, in terms of spiritual capacity and looks. It wasn't that she was a stunning beauty, but her mutation just happened to be on her face which made others stare in a daze. Anqing greeted a few familiar faces on the way without acknowledging the obvious intentions of some who wanted to be introduced to the girl by his side.
When they entered the building it was bustling with activity and laughter showing just how comfortable the students were with each other now. It was a lively atmosphere that was different from the entertainment district she worked in even if they carried similar amounts of energy. The few who glanced over in time to see Farrah enter almost choked on their food and drinks. Since they were neither late nor early only a few people stared and gossiped behind the pair's back. Anqing did well in deflecting approaching students and future students who wanted to get acquainted with Farrah.
His personality so welcoming you couldn't pick out a flaw, however, he firmly feigned ignorance when they wanted to ask about Farrah. Providing the young woman with a drink so she could pass the time sipping passively Anqing slowly filtered out the ones who were only curious because of her mutation. Farrah paused mid-raise of her glass and quietly looked over to eye the newcomer who seemed glad to see Anqing. He roughly hung an arm around the young man in a friendly manner laughing while teasing his staggering friend. "Anqing! This is where you've been hiding all day? Jing'er and Xie Lian were looking for you but didn't see you at lunch today."
Anqing sent him an equally enthusiastic greeting his eyes brightening genuinely somewhat intriguing Farrah who scrutinized the youth silently. "Zhang Qi! I thought you weren't coming, didn't you say your family was gonna entertain someone important tonight?" Facing his friend's inquiry the person called Zhang Qi, his head of chestnut hair shook lightly with an openly annoyed look in his eyes as he spoke. "Something came up yesterday in my older cousin Liu's territory so that person canceled and had to deal with the matter." Farrah's eyes flicker briefly after hearing the familiar surname before she looks away; Sipping her glass of juice with the same disinterested attitude as earlier.
She already had an inking of what event he was talking about. She almost sneered if she didn't remember her identity here had to be kept at least publically separated from that side of the city. Anqing showed a worried countenance "How come you didn't tell me earlier?" Remembering how he spent the night worrying about Wang-Mu instead of noticing his friend's troubles he felt somewhat guilty. "And what could you have done if I told you? This is neutral territory, all conflicts that happen here are dealt with fair and square. Whoever butts their head where it doesn't belong would just bring more trouble." Zhang Qi despite seeming a bit airheaded was still the tiniest bit levelheaded and knew the truth of such things concerning city laws so he was calm in his analysis of the outcomes of the event.
Anqing was still a bit uncomfortable and insisted much to Farrah's surprise, never having seen this side of the sunny Anqing before. "Still, if I knew I could have at least lent you a hand in minimizing the mess." Zhang Qi's chocolate eyes curled and instead of saying anything he messed with Anqing's hair familiarly. Farrah could sense the fondness this person had for Anqing, but it seemed to levels of friendship dipped harder one way than the other. Crossing her arms she leaned into the wall swirling her glass, and openly started to study their interactions. Finally noticing her gaze, Zhang Qi shifted his attention from the mildly troubled Anqing to Farrah seeming surprised when he met her ocean eyes.
He quickly scanned her spiritual energy and gave her a serious but polite greeting. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snub you during our conversation. I'm Zhang Qi, one of Anqing's friends and dormmates." He was friendly enough, however, he was vigilant when acknowledging her after getting a clear look at her spiritual capacity. Even going as far as to stand a bit between Anqing and herself making her feel it was a little funny. She could see that though he was a bit dense, his instincts were rather on point when he wasn't occupied by Anqing.
Seeming to sense his friend's sudden change in demeanor, Anqing was quicker to react and pulled him further away from Farrah's space. He was a bit helpless while introducing the two who didn't stop staring at one another like two beasts sizing each other up. "Zhang Qi, this is Wang-Mu, an examinee and newcomer to City C. We met a few years ago in the capital during my cousin's ceremony. On my way home one day I recognized her and we got reacquainted. Since I was the only one who was at least a little familiar and she was going to attend the same school as me. I decided to take care of her a little during her stay here."
He lied as easily as he breathed which made Farrah want to laugh, however, she refused to break eye contact with Zhang Qi first staring into his eyes fearlessly. Although Zhang Qi didn't want to doubt his friend's words, this Wang-Mu didn't seem to be the type of person to ask for help or be daunted by unfamiliar surroundings. If her stance and steady ocean eyes weren't obvious enough. Her outstanding spiritual energy added more mystery and danger to the feeling in his gut. He frowns at her intending to question her directly despite Anqing's subtle gestures of leaving it be. "Which family do you belong to?" Farrah's lips curled humorously chilling Anqing to the bone, he recognized that smile from the moment he first met the girl...But it had never been directed towards another human.
"Zhang Qi!" Anqing tried again to pull his friend back from provoking the young woman worriedly. Feeling beads of sweat starting to coat his brows Anqing gave her a strained smile and forcefully laughed in the strangely tense atmosphere between them wanting Wang-Mu to not mind his rash friend. "Wang-Mu he's just a bit more sensitive than others, you know that in neutral territory a lot of people are wary of which faction you might belong to." Zhang Qi who still didn't get the memo nor was he one to back down easily finally looked away from Farrah to question the seemingly nervous Anqing. Before he could speak, the girl finally opened her mouth to speak in a soft manner.
"I don't mind." It was normal to be suspicious of a person like herself who seemed to pop out of nowhere. It was understandable that although many were like Anqing who wanted to get close to a powerful Aniala, there were also those who would be wary and avoid her. She rose a hand, smiling lightly at Zhang Qi as if to offer a peace treaty between the two. "My name is Wang-Mu." Zhang Qi despite Anqing's urging him to apologize unhesitantly moved to shake her hand with a firm spirit. Her ocean eyes curved faintly in what could be considered a gentle way. Just as the hands were about to touch those gentle eyes if one looked closer were filled with the lightest layer of frost...
A hand like jade grabbed hers before Zhang Qi could, effectively keeping those dangerous reaching fingers from the oblivious Zhang Qi. "Ah~! So you're Wang-Mu?! Anqing told me so much about you!" The girl's voice was very warm and peppy as she grasped the suddenly indifferent Farrah's palm to her chest in an overly intimate way. The girl with hair white like a demon and milky eyes was staring at Wang-Mu with overexaggerated awe and fondness. Farrah didn't pull away immediately but stared at the girl as if wanting to know who she was to interrupt a formal Aniala greeting. Jing Tian pretends to be oblivious while keeping a tight hold of Farrah's hand. Laughing warmly even though she didn't get a response towards her overfamiliar way of meeting people.
Anqing breathed a sigh of relief as Zhang Qi after seeing Jing Tian's odd way of acting finally realized something wasn't right with the girl who was about to shake his hand. Her eyes were cold and unfamiliar as if looking at another species rather than another human being making his skin crawl. "You-" He was once more interrupted by Jing Tian who introduced herself happily. "I'm Jing Tian! Anqing told me about you once! He said that you were pretty good at controlling spiritual energy! Now that I saw you in person I could see that he wasn't overexaggerating haha!"