(In the Classroom A1)
The classroom buzzed with chatter as Professor Veldrin dismissed them.
His warning about the upcoming mana calculus quiz met with collective groans.
Eleanora barely heard it. Her gaze had already drifted to the empty seat beside Reo for what felt like the hundredth time that week.
'Where are you, Kyle?'
Her fingers twitched toward her pocket where her comm device lay.
She'd messaged him three times since Saturday.
Polite inquiries, nothing pushy.
But the messages remained unread.
The little "last active" timestamp hadn't changed in days.
She could call.
But then she would be that girl.
The clingy noble who couldn't take a hint.
'No. There's a better way'.
Eleanora smoothed her skirt and approached.
Her attention shifted to Reo and Luna, who were huddled near the window.
Luna poked at a floating ice crystal between her fingers while Reo dramatically lamented Kyle's absence.
"—swear, if he's off training somewhere crazy again without me—"
