Chương 112: The End of the Third Day

The last period of the day ended without any major events. When the class was released, the sun was already low enough to tint the courtyard orange. The group gathered almost by instinct near the building's exit, waiting for those who still took longer to appear. Astrid stretched her arms. Marina complained about the heat. Rina and Sylvara talked quietly. Lirien put away her materials calmly. Joker and Harley arrived together, as always. Kuroe came a little behind, in silence. — Is it over? — Astrid asked, hopeful.

— It's over — Harley confirmed. — At least for today. They started walking toward the cafeteria. The fatigue of the third day already showed in the way some of them dragged their feet a little more, but no one truly complained. The academy's routine was beginning to settle over them — still strange, still new, but already less uncomfortable than on the first day. In the cafeteria, the usual table was quickly occupied.

The food still lacked any real quality, and more than one person commented that Graciela would certainly be grumbling if she were there. The conversation revolved around light things: the morning training, the afternoon teacher, whether the next day would have more practice or more theory. At one point, Marina glanced to the side and commented: You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. — She's still eating alone. A few followed her gaze.

Elowen was at a table near the window, like on the other days. Straight posture, economical movements, without joining anyone. The other girls from her kingdom occupied a table farther ahead and didn't seem to make any effort to call her over. Kuroe looked in that direction for only a second. Then she returned her attention to her own plate, without any comment. The meal continued normally. When they finished, the group gradually stood up. The way back to the dormitories was already more familiar.

They crossed the internal courtyard talking quietly, the noise of their own voices mixing with the distant sound of other students. It was halfway there that Kuroe and Elowen ended up crossing paths again. Elowen was coming from the opposite direction, alone, with her bag hanging from her shoulder. This time, instead of just passing by, she slowed her pace a little. She didn't stop. She simply reduced her speed enough so that the crossing wasn't so quick. Kuroe also didn't stop.

But as they passed each other, the two exchanged a brief nod. The same kind of contained recognition from the previous days — short, without a smile, without words. That was all. Elowen continued walking. Kuroe did too. No one from the group commented on the gesture. Maybe not everyone even noticed. When they reached the division of the buildings, the goodbyes were short and tired. Astrid was already yawning. Marina pulled her by the arm toward the girls' building. Rina, Sylvara, and Lirien followed right behind.

Kuroe was the last to enter, without any special hurry. In Room 214, Harley threw herself onto the bed as soon as the door closed. Joker took off his coat and sat on the edge of his own bed, running a hand through his hair. — Three days — he murmured. Harley turned her face into the pillow. — It feels like more. — It does. She reached out in the dark and found his hand. — We're still together. — Still. On the other side of the courtyard, in the girls' building, the lights of the rooms went out one by one.

In 308, Rina was already asleep. Kuroe lay on her side for a while, looking at the wall in silence, before simply closing her eyes. The third day at the Eternal Academy had ended. Nothing grand had happened. No big provocation. No revelation. No sudden change. Just another day in which the group continued being exactly what it was — and, little by little, the space around them was beginning to adjust to that. End of Chapter 112