---
Chastine's...
----
Christian's sharp gaze swept across the area, taking in the scene, now noticeably quieter after the departure of the Vermillion second years.
Their fear of him had driven the vermilion away, leaving behind only a small number of representatives from the five major universities, Zenith members, and a scattering of onlookers. His expression remained unreadable as his eyes briefly settled on Zachary.
"Didn't you hear what Tally said, or did you just decide to ignore it? We're not here to recruit anyone. The only reason they're here is that Ember is trying to recruit them, and it's not our place to interfere with their future members."
His gaze shifted purposefully toward Chastian, Cheena, and Chase, pinning them with an intensity that made them shuffle uneasily. "And you three," he continued, his tone growing colder.
