"Where have you been? That red witch has been giving all of us hell because she's looking for you!"
One of the students yelled as he spotted Northern coming out of a corner.
He came closer, putting his hands casually on Northern's shoulders.
"Lael, man, please don't leave her side, so the rest of us can breathe forever. It's too hot without you around her."
Northern's eyes shifted down to the hand with a grim expression.
"Ah, sorry... the rumors were true. You certainly don't like being touched, ha ha." The student shifted away from Northern with a slightly pale face, forcing a short smile.
He didn't know what happened, but his throat felt itchy and his hands trembled, even as he took them off Northern's shoulders.
Northern nonchalantly walked forward, leaving the boy behind. It took a couple of seconds standing alone—dazed and pale—before he eventually got hold of himself and ran to the forge.
