The morning sun was barely visible through the thick clouds as Alaric stood in front of his mirror, adjusting the collar of his school uniform. His eyes, dark and sharp, reflected the weight of everything he had been through over the past few weeks. The familiar routine of getting ready for school felt almost surreal after the chaos and turmoil that had consumed his life recently.
He turned away from the mirror, casting a glance at the small, framed photo on his dresser—one of the few remnants of a simpler time. The photo showed a younger Alaric with Lucy, both of them smiling brightly. It was a reminder of the bond they shared, a bond that had only deepened with the recent events.
