As they moved around the academy, the atmosphere shifted subtly. Cruzer could feel the eyes of some students lingering on him, the weight of their stares heavy with ill intent.
He kept his posture relaxed, his expression calm, but he was ready. He knew this kind of environment well—where power was everything, and weakness was an invitation for trouble.
As they turned a corner, a group of students stepped into their path. Cruzer recognized a few of them from earlier, the ones who had eyed him with a mix of interest and disdain. Their leader, a burly guy with a crooked grin, stepped forward, blocking their way.
"Hey, new guy," the leader sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Heard you're quite cocky since you belong to a super important family. Think that makes you special around here?"
Cruzer met the guy's gaze, unflinching. "Just trying to get to my room," he replied evenly, not rising to the bait.
