In the bustling academy, where students rushed between classes and engaged in lively discussions, Robert observed from a distance. One student, in particular, had caught his attention—Kieran.
It was lunchtime, and the academy's cafeteria buzzed with activity. As Robert quietly took his usual spot in the corner, Kieran approached, carrying his tray.
"Hey, Robert! Mind if I join you for lunch?" Kieran asked, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and nerves.
Robert looked up, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips. He gestured to the empty seat across from him. "Of course, Kieran. Please, have a seat."
Kieran sat down, still a bit nervous. "I've been meaning to ask… why do you always sit alone? You could easily be the center of attention if you wanted."
Robert chuckled softly. "I don't but if I may say, solitude is often a friend to those who seek clarity. It provides a chance to observe and understand without distraction. Besides, I find that true power lies in the shadows, not in the spotlight."
Kieran nodded thoughtfully, taking a bite of his sandwich. "I know you've been keeping an eye on me. Why? I mean, I'm just a regular student. What could you possibly find interesting about me?"
Robert leaned back, his gaze piercing. "Kieran, there are beings among us who walk a different path, unseen by most. They possess a unique essence, an extraordinary power that sets them apart. These beings often have their own reasons for being here, reasons that may not be apparent to others."
With that, Robert stood up, excusing himself. "I have some matters to attend to."
After lunch, Robert returned to his classroom at the knight academy. The atmosphere was a mix of anticipation and routine as students settled into their seats for the next lesson. Robert, however, knew that this would not be a quiet class for him.
He took his seat in the back row, where his three friends—Leo, Max, and Jasper—usually sat with him. Today, they seemed unusually energetic, their glances and whispered comments suggesting mischief. Leo, always the joker, was leading the charge.
"Hey, Robert," Leo called out, his tone half-joking, half-serious. "Where were you during lunch? Thought you were too good for us?"
Robert remained calm, his expression neutral. "Just needed some time alone," he replied, keeping his response short.
Leo, not satisfied with the answer, grinned mischievously. "Come on, don't tell me you were off sharpening your sword skills with some girl. We all know you're not exactly the ladies' man."
Max and Jasper joined in, laughing. "Yeah, Robert. When are you gonna get yourself a girlfriend? You're not getting any younger," Max teased.
Jasper added, "We should set you up with one of the maidens. Maybe then you'll finally stop being such a loner."
Before Robert could respond, Kieran, who sat across the room, gave him a side-eye glance. It was subtle but charged with meaning, as if Kieran was silently questioning Robert's patience or perhaps testing his reactions.
Robert met Kieran's gaze for a brief moment before turning back to his friends. "Let's focus on our training. We've got more important things to worry about," he said, trying to deflect the conversation.
Leo, still grinning, leaned back in his chair. "Alright, alright. We'll let it go... for now. But don't think we won't keep trying to find you a date."
The friends exchanged glances, somewhat deflated but not entirely deterred. They backed off, returning to their seats, though their eyes occasionally darted back to Robert, still curious and skeptical.
The lesson began, the instructor's voice filling the room as they discussed the finer points of swordsmanship and battlefield strategy. Robert couldn't shake off the feeling that both his friends and Kieran were watching him closely. It was as if an invisible web of intrigue was being spun around him, each thread pulling tighter with every passing moment.
After the classes ended, the students of the knight academy poured out into the training grounds. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the field as the young knights-in-training prepared for their evening drills and activities.
Robert, still feeling the weight of the earlier harassment, joined his friends Leo, Max, and Jasper. They were already sparring with wooden swords, their laughter and shouts filling the air.
"Hey, Robert!" Leo called out, waving him over. "Come on, join us! Or are you too busy thinking about your non-existent girlfriend?"
Max and Jasper laughed, their teasing relentless. "Yeah, Robert. Maybe if you spent less time brooding and more time talking to girls, you wouldn't be so lonely," Max added with a smirk.
Robert sighed but picked up a wooden sword, joining the sparring session. As much as he tried, his movements were clumsy, his strikes lacking the precision and strength that his friends exhibited.
Leo, always the joker, didn't miss a beat. "Whoa, watch out, everyone! Robert's swinging that sword like it's a broomstick!"
Max and Jasper joined in, laughing harder. "Yeah, Robert. When are you gonna get yourself a girlfriend? You're not getting any younger," Max teased.
Jasper added, "We should set you up with one of the maidens. Maybe then you'll finally stop being such a loner."
Despite his lack of skill, Robert wasn't worried about their comments. He knew that his true strengths lay elsewhere, in places that his friends couldn't even begin to comprehend.
He caught sight of Kieran across the training grounds, giving him a side-eye glance. Robert met his gaze steadily, unperturbed. He had seen Kieran watching him.
"Let's focus on our training," Robert said, deflecting the conversation. "We've got more important things to worry about."
The friends exchanged glances, somewhat deflated but not entirely deterred. They backed off, returning to their training, though their eyes occasionally darted back to Robert, still curious and skeptical.
As the evening wore on, the students practiced their swordsmanship, archery, and hand-to-hand combat. Despite his friends' relentless teasing and his own struggles, Robert tried to keep up, his skills clearly lacking compared to the others.
The training session came to an end, and the students began to disperse, heading back to their dormitories. Leo, Max, and Jasper continued their playful banter, but Robert remained quiet, his mind focused on the secrets he kept.
As he made his way back to his room, he felt Kieran's watchful eyes still on him. But unlike others, Robert felt no unease. He knew that in this world, no one could truly hide from his perception. And that awareness was both his shield and his sword in a world filled with shadows and light.