Eiden burst into his first lecture hall, slightly out of breath but relieved to have made it in one piece. The room was vast, with tiered seating that stretched high into the walls. Students were scattered throughout, most of them Gifted, their confidence palpable.
Sliding into a seat near the back, Eiden adjusted his glasses and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible. He pulled out his notebook and pretended to be deeply engrossed in flipping through blank pages.
The professor entered moments later, an older man with silvery hair and a commanding presence. His name, Professor Alaric Veylin, appeared on the holographic screen behind him. His Gift was apparent—a faint aura of crackling energy surrounded him, and his piercing gaze could probably melt steel.
"Welcome to Foundations of Power Dynamics," Professor Veylin began, his voice steady and authoritative. "This class isn't about your Gift. It's about understanding the role of power in society—its applications, its consequences, and its responsibilities."
Eiden sat up straighter, surprised. He hadn't expected the professor to mention responsibility, especially in a university that glorified the Gifted.
"Some of you will go on to shape the future," Veylin continued, scanning the room. "And some of you will struggle just to survive in a world built for those with strength."
Eiden flinched slightly at the unintentional jab, but he kept his face neutral.
"The question is," Veylin said, his eyes briefly locking with Eiden's, "what will you do with what you have?"
The lecture began in earnest, diving into the history of the Gifted and their impact on society. Eiden furiously scribbled notes, trying to keep up. Veylin's lessons were sharp and unfiltered, and Eiden appreciated the blunt honesty.
…..
The class ended with an assignment: a reflection essay on how power influences relationships. Eiden groaned inwardly, already dreading the hours he'd spend trying to sound insightful.
As he packed up his things, he noticed a group of Gifted students nearby, laughing and chatting. One of them—a tall guy with silver hair and golden eyes—glanced in Eiden's direction and smirked.
"Well, look at that," the guy said loudly, nudging his friends. "An Ungifted sitting all the way in the back, just soaking up all the wisdom like a sponge."
Eiden gritted his teeth but said nothing. He slung his bag over his shoulder and started toward the door.
"Hey, I'm talking to you," the guy called after him.
Eiden stopped, sighing heavily. He turned to face the group, forcing a neutral expression. "Yes?"
"What's your name?" the guy asked, his smirk widening.
"It's Eiden," he said evenly.
The guy chuckled. "Eiden, huh? Cute name. You're going to have a rough time here, you know. No Gift, no chance."
"I'll manage," Eiden replied, keeping his voice calm.
The guy stepped closer, towering over him. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts don't mean much when you're at the bottom."
Eiden stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. "Thanks for the advice."
He turned and walked out, ignoring the laughter that followed him.
…..
Outside, the campus was bustling with activity. Eiden headed toward the library, hoping to find some quiet space to work on his assignment.
As he rounded a corner, he nearly ran into someone.
"Sorry," he muttered, stepping back.
The person he'd bumped into was the red-haired girl from earlier. Her bright blue eyes were just as striking up close, and she tilted her head slightly, studying him.
"You're the guy who ran through that fight earlier," she said, her voice light and curious.
Eiden adjusted his glasses nervously. "Uh, yeah. Just trying to get to class."
She smiled faintly. "That was brave. Or stupid. Hard to tell."
"Probably both," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm Astrid," she said, offering a hand.
"Eiden," he replied, shaking it cautiously.
Astrid's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than felt comfortable. Then she stepped aside. "Well, see you around… Eiden."
As she walked away, Eiden couldn't help but glance back, wondering why she'd bothered to talk to him.
"Don't overthink it," he told himself, shaking his head.
Still, as he continued toward the library, he couldn't shake the feeling that Astrid's attention was far from random.