Aiden woke the next morning to the soft rustling of fabric and the quiet murmur of conversation. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he sat up in bed, glancing toward the source of the sound.
Sevan was standing by the wardrobe, buttoning up his gold-embroidered vest over a crisp white shirt. Adrian, already dressed, leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, his usual smirk tempered by the early hour.
The uniform looked better than Aiden expected, its sharp design and luxurious touches giving an air of elegance. The white trousers, with their golden stripes running down the seams, fit snugly, and the vest's subtle sunray patterns caught the faint morning light.
Even Adrian, who usually had a rugged, unbothered style, looked oddly polished in it.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Adrian said, his tone teasing as always. "Finally decided to join the world of the living?"
Aiden grunted in response and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. The events of the previous night lingered in the back of his mind, a shadow he couldn't quite shake.
As he tugged on the uniform, the soft fabric surprisingly comfortable, he caught Sevan's eye.
"Hey," Sevan said softly, stepping closer. He waited until Aiden looked at him, his expression unusually earnest. "About last night... I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. It wasn't fair, and I crossed a line."
Aiden paused, his fingers stilling on the buttons of his vest. He wasn't sure what to say. Part of him wanted to stay guarded, but the apology seemed genuine.
"It's... fine," Aiden said finally, though his tone lacked conviction.
Sevan winced. "No, it's not. I was curious, sure, but that doesn't excuse what I did. I made things harder for you, and that's on me."
Aiden glanced at Adrian, who raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. With a sigh, Aiden nodded. "Alright. Apology accepted. Just... maybe think before you speak next time?"
"Deal."
"Great," Adrian muttered, rolling his eyes. "Now that we've had our morning heart-to-heart, can we get going? We're already late for breakfast."
Aiden rolled his eyes.
"So, what did the Headmaster want with you last night?" Adrian asked.
Aiden froze momentarily before resuming tying his laces. "Nothing important," he replied, avoiding eye contact.
"'Nothing important,' huh?" Adrian shot back, folding his arms. "You're telling me the Headmaster called you to his office on the first night just to stare at you and tell you you have your mother's eyes? I don't buy it."
"It's private."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, his curiosity clearly piqued.
"Private? That makes me even more curious. Come on, you can't just drop that and expect me not to ask questions."
Sevan smirked but stayed quiet, watching the interaction unfold.
Aiden sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn't used to sharing, especially with people he didn't fully trust yet, but he also knew Adrian wasn't going to let this go.
"Fine," he muttered. "But it doesn't leave this room."
"Scout's honour."
Aiden took a deep breath. "Headmaster Kairos didn't say much. He just told me to keep my head down and not draw attention to myself."
Adrian tilted his head, his grin fading slightly. "Why? Did he say why?"
"No," Aiden admitted. "Just that it's better if people don't know who I am. And he warned me to be careful when I'm alone."
Adrian frowned, concern flickering across his face. "That's... vague. Did he say why you need to be careful?"
Aiden shook his head. "Not really. Just that it's dangerous. He also told me not to go past the perimeter of the academy."
Sevan finally spoke, his tone calm but edged with curiosity. "The perimeter? Why? Is there something out there?"
"I don't know. He didn't explain, and I didn't ask."
Adrian leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. "Well, that's comforting. 'Don't go past the perimeter,' like it's a casual suggestion. Does he think something's out there?"
"I don't know. But he made it sound serious, so I'm not taking any chances."
"Fair enough. If the Headmaster says to stay within the walls, I'm guessing there's a good reason." Sevan replied.
Adrian suddenly straightened, his expression thoughtful. "You know… maybe it's connected to what we overheard my parents talking about."
Aiden glanced at him, eyebrows furrowing. "What talk? The one about the killings at the station, or the London Square incident?"
Adrian nodded slowly. "Either, honestly. It might all be related. The station massacre and the chaos in the Square happened the same day as your rescue. Maybe it's not a coincidence."
Aiden's jaw tightened.
"You think…?"
"I don't know... But it's too close to ignore, right? What if whatever caused that is somehow linked to why you were taken? And why Kairos is so worried about you now?"
Aiden didn't respond right away, his mind whirling. Adrian's suggestion made his stomach churn. It was possible, even likely, but it was also terrifying to think about.
"If that's true, then the Headmaster's warning makes even more sense. Whoever or whatever caused those incidents might not be done." Sevan added.
"Exactly. And if Kairos knows more than he's letting on, he probably has a good reason for keeping it quiet."
Aiden let out a slow breath. "I just need to stay out of trouble and not draw attention. That's what matters."
Adrian gave him a crooked smile. "You're already drawing attention by existing, mate. But don't worry, we've got your back."
The three of them finished dressing, adjusting their uniforms until everything was neatly in place. Aiden couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious in the tailored outfit. The gold accents felt a bit flashy, but they also carried a certain weight, a reminder of the school's high expectations.
Once they were ready, they headed out of the dormitory and into the winding corridors of Genvah Academy. The morning sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting golden patterns on the marble floors. The grandeur of the school still felt overwhelming to Aiden, its sheer size and elegance unlike anything he'd ever known.
Unfortunately, the elegance didn't come with clear directions. After wandering for ten minutes, they realized they were hopelessly lost.
"Wasn't the Great Hall supposed to be... that way?" Sevan asked, pointing to a corridor they had just passed.
Adrian groaned, running a hand through his hair. "We've gone in circles twice already. How hard can it be to find a bloody hall?"
Aiden sighed, glancing around for any sign of where to go. Just as frustration began to set in, they spotted a student a few paces ahead of them. He was older, perhaps a third-year, his uniform slightly different with a dark sash draped over one shoulder.
"Excuse me," Aiden called out, quickening his pace to catch up with him.
The boy turned, his light brown hair catching the sunlight. He had sharp features and an easy smile that put them at ease immediately. "You three look a bit lost," he said, amusement in his tone.
"We are," Sevan admitted with a sheepish laugh. "We're trying to find the Great Hall."
The older student chuckled. "First-years, huh? It's always the same. Genvah's layout takes some getting used to." He extended a hand. "I'm Anatole, third-year. Let me show you the way."
"Thanks," Aiden said, shaking his hand. "We'd appreciate it."
As they followed Anatole down a series of corridors, he chatted easily with them.
"So, what subjects do you have today?" Anatole asked, glancing over his shoulder.
Sevan pulled a folded schedule from his pocket and scanned it. "Mystical Botany, Magical Theory and Ethics, and Physical Education."
Anatole let out a low whistle. "That's quite a lineup. Mystical Botany's not bad—you'll love the Botanical Garden. But Magical Theory and Ethics? Watch out for Professor Anwar. He's brilliant but tough as nails. He has this way of asking questions that'll make you second-guess everything you've ever learned."
"Sounds delightful," Adrian said dryly, earning a laugh from Anatole.
"And what about Physical Education?" Aiden asked.
"That'll be with Sir Bernard," Anatole said, his expression softening. "He's gentler than he looks, but don't let that fool you. The man's a powerhouse. He'll push you, but he's fair about it. Just make sure you don't slack off, or he'll notice."
Aiden exchanged a look with Adrian and Sevan. The day already sounded like it would be anything but easy.
Finally, they arrived at a set of double doors that Anatole pushed open with a flourish. The scent of freshly baked bread and warm pastries wafted out, and the sound of students talking and laughing filled the air.
"Here we are," Anatole said, gesturing for them to enter. "The Great Hall. Enjoy breakfast, and good luck with your first day."
"Thanks," Aiden said, stepping inside with Adrian and Sevan close behind.