Ethan chewed on the roasted meat slowly, letting the warmth spread through his exhausted body. It wasn't exactly gourmet, but it was enough to calm his hungry stomach. Shadow sat beside him, looking smug as always, tail flicking contentedly as she watched him eat.
Ethan raised a brow at her innocent behavior. Not asking for a single bite? It made him think that the cat probably gulped down something big before getting here. As if the little thing could read his thoughts, she gave him a smug smile and then went back to lazily yawning and stretching.
Ethan laughed at her and went back to his people-watching. The town around him continued to bustle with the energy of incoming academy students.
He could hear snippets of conversations drifting from the marketplace, talks of rankings, upcoming entrance trials, and the famous instructors who would be arriving soon. Names he didn't recognize were thrown around like legends, sparking admiration or nervousness in equal measure.
