The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the campus as students streamed out of the classroom, conversations buzzing with renewed energy. Vaelis walked with quiet purpose, her gaze steady, her mind already filtering out the voices around her.

Seven months.

She had no time for distractions.

But distractions, it seemed, had time for her.

"Hey, wait up."

She barely glanced sideways as Rowan fell into step beside her, hands in his pockets, his usual smirk in place.

"You’re seriously ignoring me?" he asked, tilting his head. "That’s cold, even for you."

Vaelis exhaled, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Why would I entertain conversations that serve no purpose?"

Rowan let out a soft chuckle. "I like how you talk. It’s like you’re always ready for a war."

"I don’t waste time on unnecessary battles."

His amusement didn’t waver, but before he could reply, another presence joined them.

"Strange," a smooth voice interjected. "I didn’t think you were the type to entertain unnecessary company either."

Vaelis slowed, recognizing the voice even before she turned.

Adrian.

Unlike Rowan’s easy confidence, Adrian Voss carried a different kind of presence—quiet but unwavering, like a force that didn’t need to be loud to be felt. He regarded Rowan with a neutral expression before shifting his gaze to her.

Vaelis met his stare head-on, indifferent. "Is there something you need?"

Adrian didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, his eyes flickered briefly to Rowan, then back to her.

"You were impressive today," he said, his tone unreadable.

A lesser version of herself might have faltered at the unexpected acknowledgment. But the past was a grave she had already buried.

"And you were predictable," she replied smoothly. "Watching from the sidelines as always."

Rowan let out a low whistle, clearly entertained.

Adrian, however, remained impassive. If her words had affected him, he didn’t show it.

"It seems you’ve changed," he noted.

"Or maybe you never knew me at all," she corrected.

Something flickered in his gaze, something almost imperceptible. But Vaelis didn’t care enough to decipher it.

Before either of them could speak again, Alicia Langford stepped into their path, her expression carefully neutral, though the glint in her eyes was anything but.

"I have to admit, that was a bold display in class," Alicia said, her smile poised. "Though confidence without humility can be… off-putting."

Vaelis arched a brow. "And insecurity disguised as politeness is laughable."

Rowan laughed outright this time, clearly enjoying the exchange.

Alicia, to her credit, didn’t flinch. "I was only pointing out that there’s a fine line between excellence and arrogance."

"And yet," Vaelis said smoothly, tilting her head, "it’s always the lesser ones who worry about that line."

A sharp silence followed.

Alicia’s fingers curled against her book, but her smile remained fixed.

Adrian watched the interaction closely, his expression unreadable.

"Be careful, Vaelis," Alicia said after a beat. "It’s lonely at the top."

Vaelis gave her a slow, deliberate smile. "Not when you belong there."

With that, she stepped past her, her stride unhurried, elegant.

Rowan let out an impressed hum before following after her. "I don’t think she likes you very much."

Vaelis didn’t look back. "Then she should try harder."

Adrian still hadn’t moved.

For the first time, he wasn’t sure whether he was watching a familiar story unfold—

Or witnessing an entirely different one being written.