"Astron. Join my team."
The moment Julia's voice rang out, commanding and full of confidence, the entire room seemed to freeze. Conversations halted mid-sentence, and all eyes turned toward her and Astron. The boldness of her statement—the straightforwardness of her offer—sent a ripple of surprise through the class.
"Did she just…?" one student whispered.
"Julia Middleton wants him on her team?" another murmured, their tone dripping with incredulity.
"She's one of the strongest students here," someone added, their voice hushed but audible. "Why would she offer Astron a spot right away?"
Astron, still seated, glanced up at Julia with his usual calm expression, his purple eyes meeting her sharp blue gaze. The murmurs of the students didn't seem to faze him, though the weight of their stares was palpable.
"Is he really that valuable?" a student muttered from one corner of the room. "I know his rank jumped, but…"
