The scent of parchment and old wood hadn't changed.
Edgar stepped through the arched doorway of the Academy's central library, boots clicking softly against polished marble. Sunlight filtered through enchanted glass overhead, scattering gold across the aisles of ancient tomes . The library was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt heavy. Familiar.
He paused just past the threshold. A few students glanced at him and looked away just as quickly. Just another commoner in uniform. Just another background piece.
Good.
He tightened the strap of the leather satchel slung over his shoulder and made his way to the back-left corner of the second floor—the same spot he used to study.
He liked the place since it was in between the window and bookshelves, cut out from the rest of the place alone and dusty.
His hand brushed the edge of the reading table, tracing faint gouges in the wood. Still here. Just like before.
He slid into the seat and pulled out a thick textbook: Foundations of Elemental Channeling, Vol. I. A classic. One he didn't need to read anymore.
Slowly From his pocket, Edgar drew his phone.
It was 12:36
" Half an hour early, huh...."
" Well don't really matter, since I did leave in middle of the class I guess I still have plenty of time"
He flicked on the camera , pressed record and then placed it quietly into a shadowed nook between the books.
Recording set.
He leaned back in the chair and opened the textbook, posture relaxed, eyes flicking across the same introductory passage he'd memorized years ago. His thoughts, however, weren't on elemental theory.
They were on faces.
Aila Valenne. Sweet voice, sly eyes. She'd smile when she lied and cry when caught. Daughter of a minor baroness with more ambition than sense. She was the one they sent to lure him in. The bait in silk gloves.
And
Aron Dreylith. Second son of House Dreylith, one of the three Duke families. Arrogant, untouchable, always smiling like the world was a chessboard and he'd already won.
Well , to be honest he kinda did, last time.
Edgar flipped a page. No students passed by.
His fingers itched at the memory—the forced expulsion, the public humiliation, Aila's trembling voice screaming accusations in this very corner. The shocked gasps. The professors who didn't even ask questions before dragging him out.
Today was the day that had caused him a significant setback , that has caused him a lot , his scholarship fund , his reputation and most of all the missed opportunity to get a State sponsered weapon, that he was supposed to get after his awakening ,since his parents were absolutely not going to give him one.
Last time it went like this:-
As usaual Edgar had came to his usual spot after his class and took his seat to revise his notes , that was when Alia , had come and sat beside him.
Chatting with for a moment when she suddenly tore her clothes qnd started shouting.
Edgar dumbfounded then couldn't utter a word and before he could think , he was suddenly punched and knockout, when he came to be he saw Alia standing behind Aron clutching his shirt and sobbing.
"How dare you , You common filth , you are lucky enough to be studying amongst us and yet you have the guts to assault a lady in the broad daylight"
" Erm.. no I didn't do it!!! She is lying"
" Don't you dare to lie you bastard , I was here nearby, and I saw you trying to assault her ,if I had not reached in time and stopped you , only god knows what you could have done."
Edgar could see a smile forming in the corner of Aila, a small malicious smile, he had tought of her as a friend, sice she was one of the very few in this school who talked to him.
Edgar had tried to plead but none of the professor heard his words , on top of which , the security camera had somehow malfunctioned.
So now it was his words against them.
And all happened as one could guess.
No trial. No hearing. Just... gone.
Aron had became a public hero , he was lucky enough that his talent awakening was that of a Lord , otherwise he punishment would have had been worse of since no matter how small he was accused of assaulting a girl from noble family.
Back to present.
He closed the book slowly. His reflection stared back from the polished surface—calm.
Good.
Let them underestimate him.
Across the floor, he spotted movement. A familiar red ribbon bouncing with each step.
Aila.
She hadn't seen him yet. She laughed at something the girl beside her said, flicked her hair, glanced toward the second floor... and froze when her eyes met his.
For a half-second, her smile slipped.
Then it returned, brighter than before.
She climbed the steps.
Edgar stayed seated, a soft smile playing on his lips as she approached. She moved like someone confident the world would bend for her.
"Oh," she said lightly, brushing a lock of chestnut hair behind her ear. "Still in the same spot , I see."
"Library's still public, last I checked."
She laughed.
"Of course. Just... surprised. You're the only one who studies this diligently , you know .."
"Habits are hard to kill I guess"
She tilted her head, eyes scanning the open textbook in front of him. "Studying elemental channeling again? I thought you passed that with top marks."
He didn't answer. Just flipped another page.
The silence stretched a little too long. She shifted her weight.
"Well," Aila said, her tone easy, "I guess I'll let you get back to it. Maybe we can catch up later?"
Edgar finally looked at her. "Sure. I'll be right here."
She hesitated—just a flicker. Then she smiled again and walked away, heels soft against the floor.
He watched her until she turned the corner. Then he leaned back in the chair, slow and careful.
Step one: let her come. Step two: let her speak. Step three... we'll see.
He glanced at the edge of the table where his phone rested.
Let's see who frames who this time.