Early morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the college cafeteria, casting a soft glow on the tables scattered across the hall. The smell of freshly baked bread, eggs, and hot coffee filled the air, also with the clinking of cutlery and the murmured conversations of students. Among the groups seated for breakfast, Alexander, Lira, Elara, and Tomas occupied a corner table, their breakfast plates half-finished in front of them.
Today was no ordinary day, which was the day of Alexander's duel with Roderick, one of Lucian Draven's more formidable followers. Selene, usually part of their morning gatherings, couldn't make it due to a personal matter, but the others were here to cheer Alexander on.
Elara leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms overhead. "So, how are you feeling about today, Alexander? Any pre-duel jitters?"
Alexander chuckled softly, . "You could say that. I've prepared for this."
"Don't underestimate anyone," Lira, sitting next to him, tapped her spoon against her mug thoughtfully. "Anyone recruited by Lucian has their own unique abilities."
Alexander nodded, his expression turning serious. "I get it." Then he took and chewed slowly on a piece of toast.
At this time, the voices from the next table drifted over, carrying a conversation that caught their attention.
"Have you heard? There's a good show at the duel field today!" a voice said, just enough for their entire table to hear.
"No way," another voice responded, sounding unimpressed. "It's must probably the same old story. Two nobles who don't like each other sending their goons to fight it out. Yawn."
"It's different this time!" the first voice insisted, animated. "I heard it's a commoner this time, and the stakes are even higher. If he loses, the guy has to leave Lira Valen!"
Alexander and his friends exchanged glances but remained quiet, listening to the conversation unfold.
"Lira Valen?" The second voice perked up, now fully interested. "That Valen? Oh my god, how did some nobody catch her eye? Isn't this like the story of Princess Anne running away with a stable boy?"
Lira stiffened slightly, her fork hovering above her plate. At this, Elara couldn't help but chuckle softly and lean toward Lira, mimicking a reporter with an invisible microphone. "Person involved, tell me—how did you fall in love with this guy?"
Tomas, sitting beside Elara, leaned in with an amused grin. He didn't say anything, but his eyes gleamed with curiosity. Even though they had spent a lot of time together, Tomas and Elara had never gotten a clear answer about the relationship between Alexander and Lira.
Lira's cheeks flushed a light pink as she glanced toward Alexander, a shy smile playing on her lips. Her voice was soft but filled with sincerity. "He's very brave… and powerful."
Then she raised her eyes to Alexander, while Alexander's gaze met her across the table. They locked eyes for a brief moment, and something unspoken passed between them.
Tomas and Elara exchanged glances before leaning back in their chairs, feigning exaggerated sighs of disappointment. "I knew something must've happened between you two recently," Elara said with a wink. "Alexander, you sly dog!"
"It's a shame Selene isn't here," Elara added, shaking her head in mock sorrow. "She's missing all the juicy details!"
The group burst into quiet laughter, momentarily lightening the mood. But the conversation at the next table was far from over.
"So, what's the name of this commoner, anyway?" One of them asked, disdain dripping from his tone.
"Alexander," the other responded with a scoff. "You know, the one who made a scene on Orientation Day? Talked back to the higher-ups like an idiot."
Alexander's grip on his cup tightened, but he remained silent, while Lira held his hands with her hand.
"Is it that same Alexander? That loser?" A derisive tone in his voice. "I bet I already know how this duel's going to end."
"Same. But hey, it's worth watching, right? Might even get to see Lucian Draven. He's a big shot around here." the voice agreed, laughing. "If we're lucky, maybe we can catch his eye and be recruited. Which will be a huge benefit for us and our families!"
"Yeah, true enough!" the voice said eagerly. "Let's go check it out!" With that, the two students stood and left the cafeteria, their laughter trailing behind them as they walked out, clearly on their way to the duel.
The silence at Alexander's table was palpable now. Lira's face darkened, her jaw clenched tightly, her hands balled into fists. Elara's face also had darkened with anger, her hand twitching as if she wanted to throw her fork at the departing students. Tomas, too, looked irritated, his normally calm demeanor disrupted by the blatant disrespect.
"Who do they think they are?" Elara muttered, half-rising from her seat, ready to follow them. "They don't know anything about you, Alexander! You should let me—"
Before she could storm over, Alexander reached out and gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her from making a scene. "Don't be impulsive, Elara." he said with a calm smile.
"But they insulted you! We can't just sit here and let them—"
Alexander shook his head, his eyes calm and steady. "It's fine. Being underestimated can be an advantage. Let them think what they want. I'll prove them wrong with actions, not words."
Lira, who had been silent until now, placed her hand over Alexander's again, squeezing it gently. "I believe in you," she said softly, her voice full of warmth and trust. "You won't let me down. You never have."
Alexander smiled at her, squeezing her hand in return, and feeling a surge of confidence swell inside him. "I won't."
Watching the two exchange such tender words, Tomas and Elara leaned back in their seats again, sharing a look of amused resignation.
"Well, Tomas," Elara said with a sigh, "it looks like we're just here for the background scenery. These two are in their own world now."
Tomas chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, we're the third and fourth wheels here, even we might as well be invisible better."
Elara rolled her eyes playfully. "Tell me about it. They don't even need us anymore."
"By the way, can we set up gambling in the academy duel arena?" Alexander asked, a glint of curiosity in his eyes as he thought about his dwindling—almost negative—assets.
Elara stared at him in surprise, her eyebrows shooting up. "What are you thinking, Alexander? This is the academy!" she said, clearly taken aback by his suggestion.
Beside her, Lira giggled, covering her mouth with one hand as her eyes sparkled playfully. She was obviously amused by Alexander's financial dilemma and the rather unorthodox solution he'd come up with.
Tomas, sitting nearby, leaned in slightly and whispered, "Brother. In the academy, there are only two ways to earn credits: one is through research, and the other is the mission center, like what you did last time."
"Okay, okay! It was just a thought," Alexander shrugged, feigning disappointment. "What a pity!"
The group laughed, the tension breaking once again. After finishing their breakfast, the group stood up and gathered their belongings, preparing to head to the duel field. As they walked through the cafeteria toward the exit, the sun was higher in the sky now, casting long shadows over the academy grounds.
Alexander glanced at his friends, feeling a sense of determination. "Here we go."