The morning sun spilled over the small town, painting the streets with gold. Seven-year-old Wyxro, nicknamed Wads, and Klyden walked side by side, backpacks slightly too big for their small frames. Klyden, as always, hummed a cheerful tune, hopping over cracks in the cobblestone. Wads, in contrast, kept his expression neutral, eyes scanning every detail of the streets with quiet calculation.
"This is going to be so boring," Klyden complained, tugging slightly at Wads' sleeve. "Do you think there will be adventures in school?"
Wads tilted his head, dark eyes glinting with that cold, moon-like calm he'd carried since the day he woke in this body. "School is for learning. Adventures are for when you're prepared."
Klyden groaned but didn't argue further. He'd long since learned that Wads' logic was unshakable.
As they approached the school gates, a new figure caught their attention. A girl about their age, silver hair glinting in the sun, stood near the fountain. Her eyes were striking—one red, one green. She tilted her head curiously, observing the two boys.
"Hi there!" Klyden called out instantly, waving like he'd known her forever.
Wads, ever cautious, simply observed. The girl's gaze met his, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink. She carried a commanding presence, yet her smile was playful, almost teasing.
"I'm Liora," she said, voice clear and firm. "First day?"
Klyden bounced forward. "Yep! This is my friend Wads. He's… uh, a bit quiet."
Wads offered the slightest nod, lips barely moving. "Hello."
Liora's smile widened. "I like quiet people."
Klyden chuckled. "See? You're already making a friend!"
Wads didn't respond, but something about her confidence and energy made him take note. Not curiosity, exactly—it was more like recognition of potential… a force he might need to account for later.
The school itself was small but bustling. Wooden floors creaked underfoot, classrooms smelled of chalk and ink, and children chattered endlessly about books, games, and gossip. Klyden immediately found the first person to talk to, dragging Wads along. Liora, on the other hand, stayed a few paces behind, observing quietly.
Throughout the day, the three of them crossed paths repeatedly. Klyden, as usual, tried to include everyone, often failing spectacularly, while Wads remained calculating, taking in details about schedules, rules, and patterns. Liora noticed, intrigued—not because he was interesting in a normal way, but because he carried an air of quiet command, one that drew attention without demanding it.
By the time the school bell rang for the end of the day, Wads had mentally noted several things: the fastest routes to the library, students who acted without consequence, and the peculiar way Liora's eyes seemed to follow him when he moved. Klyden, on the other hand, had collected three new friends, a piece of candy from a classmate, and a newfound enthusiasm for tomorrow.
"Race you to the fountain!" Klyden shouted, already running ahead.
Wads didn't move immediately, eyes flicking to Liora. She tilted her head, smirked, and called, "Don't let him cheat, Wads."
Something flickered across Wads' face—a tiny smirk, almost imperceptible—before he followed Klyden.
And so, the first day of school ended, but the subtle beginnings of a bond—between the quiet strategist, the sunny optimist, and the dominant, playful girl—had already begun to form.