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Solara had just begun to present itself in the sky, casting long shadows over the sprawling grounds of the Primordial Academy. The air was calm, the usual serenity that marked life at the academy undisturbed. Students walked in groups, some carrying scrolls and books, while others lingered in quiet conversation. The harmony of the place, so often broken by the hustle of daily life, now seemed almost surreal.
Gary Amberson walked alongside Dawn, the two of them moving through the academy's main courtyard with Ingrid trailing not too far behind, her nose buried in a tome as usual. They had all grown comfortable with their daily routines, and while their individual lives had unique flavors, the bond between them had only deepened. The air smelled faintly of flowers from the distant gardens, and the atmosphere was filled with the low murmur of conversations between students.
But as they walked, a shift occurred—subtle but undeniable. A figure stood at the end of the courtyard, leaning against one of the ancient stone pillars. Elias Dunheart, a senior student with an air of arrogance and calculated calm, observed them from afar. He had been known to make waves within the academy, but Gary had never crossed paths with him directly. There was something about Elias that unsettled him, though. A dark edge to his eyes, a hunger in his gaze that seemed to gnaw at the edges of anyone he fixed his sights on.
As the three of them approached, Elias' lips curled into a smile, not one of genuine warmth but of something far more insidious.
Gary's pace slowed ever so slightly, his eyes flicking toward Elias, instinctively sizing him up. Dawn, walking beside him, didn't seem to notice, lost in his own thoughts, his face more serene than usual. Ingrid, however, was still absorbed in her book, oblivious to the tension building around her.
It was Ingrid's foot that accidentally brushed against Gary's heel as they walked, her concentration on the book so intense she didn't notice. She stumbled slightly and, in the process, bumped into Gary's back.
"Sorry!" she said quickly, glancing up and immediately freezing at the sight of Elias.
Gary's lips barely parted as he regarded Elias with a neutral expression. There was no recognition between them—just a vague awareness of one another's existence in the academy.
Elias' voice broke the silence, his tone smooth and dripping with an underlying edge. "Well, well, Amberson. Fancy seeing you here." His words were casual, but the subtle challenge in his gaze was impossible to miss.
Gary's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I'm walking here. What do you want?"
Elias' smirk deepened as he took a step closer, the space between them tightening. "Oh, nothing much. Just couldn't help but notice you and your little friends walking around so... peacefully. Almost too peacefully, don't you think?"
Gary tilted his head slightly, now fully aware of the tension Elias was trying to provoke. He hadn't heard much about Elias beyond rumors—rumors that suggested the senior student was someone not easily trifled with. But there was no malice behind Gary's words, only a calm neutrality. "We're just walking. There's no need for any theatrics."
Ingrid stood a few paces behind, still clutching her book, looking between Gary and Elias, unsure of what was happening. The atmosphere felt thick, but she couldn't quite place why. The older student, Elias, had an unsettling presence about him. She hadn't interacted with him much, but her instincts told her to stay out of this.
Elias' eyes flicked over to Dawn, who, in his silence, was quietly absorbing the exchange. The way Elias looked at him felt... different, as if he were scrutinizing something far more than just a student. His gaze narrowed, almost calculating. "Interesting," Elias murmured. "You," he gestured to Dawn, "are quite the eyesore in this academy, aren't you? I'm surprised someone hasn't taken care of that yet." The words were laced with venom, meant to provoke.
Gary's posture stiffened, but he didn't move. Dawn, still calm, stared at Elias, his expression unreadable. But inside, a prickling sensation of discomfort began to rise. Elias wasn't just trying to belittle him—there was a deeper malice behind his words, something more dangerous. Still, he said nothing.
Ingrid shifted awkwardly, the tension between Elias and Gary mounting. "I don't think—" she began, but Elias cut her off with a dismissive gesture.
"Stay out of it, little scholar," Elias sneered. "You wouldn't understand." His gaze now turned back to Gary. "You think you're untouchable, don't you? But everyone has their place here, Amberson. Some are meant to lead, and others... well, they're just meant to follow." He threw a glance at Dawn, then back to Gary. "And you," Elias said, almost as if testing the words, "I wonder how long it will take for you to realize that you're nothing more than a pawn in this place."
Gary's eyes darkened ever so slightly, but his voice remained steady. "You're playing a dangerous game, Elias. One that's not going to end well for you."
Elias didn't respond to that, instead stepping back with an almost theatrical flourish, as though he had won some small victory. "We'll see about that, won't we?" He threw one last glance at Dawn, his eyes cold, then at Ingrid, before turning on his heel and walking away with Cedric following in tow.
Gary remained still, his eyes tracking Elias' departure. It wasn't lost on him that the senior student's words weren't just about power or status—they were about control. And something in the way Elias looked at Dawn told Gary there was more to the story than Elias was letting on.
As the tension slowly ebbed away, Dawn spoke for the first time since Elias' arrival. His voice was quiet, but it held an edge of contemplation. "He sees something in me, doesn't he?"
Gary nodded slowly. "Yes, and I don't like it. We'll need to keep an eye on him. He's dangerous."
Ingrid, still shaken by the encounter, frowned. "I've never seen anyone act like that. Who does he think he is?"
Gary gave her a somber look. "Someone who believes that power can be taken, not earned."
Dawn's gaze remained distant as he pondered the interaction. "We've only just begun, haven't we?"
Gary didn't answer right away. His thoughts were turning, focusing on Elias' words, trying to make sense of them. But he couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just a personal conflict—there were larger forces at work, forces that were slowly starting to surface.
The weight of the encounter settled on them all. Elias' manipulation was subtle but deadly, and his interest in Dawn wasn't something that could be ignored. Whatever game he was playing, Gary and Dawn were now players in it, whether they liked it or not.
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The calm before the storm had broken, and the game of power and influence within the academy had only just begun.