The rest of the class was uneventful.
Once the bell rang, Edward left without another word having quite professional persona. He didn't seem to care about anyone.
It was lunchtime now, and students were swarming the cafeteria and canteens.
For scholars like Ran, the food was completely free. He didn't need to worry about money at all.
He walked to the cafeteria, where the place was bustling. The food was quite exquisite, far better than anything he had ever eaten before.
The entire cafeteria was crowded with freshmen, each lost in their own chatter. Ran couldn't help but wonder just how many of them would still be here a month from now.
He ignored the gazes of his peers and took a seat at one of the benches. Suddenly, someone came to join him.
"Care if I join you?"
It was Dawn Montello.
The calm, cold beauty, admired by many. Ran could already feel the simmering anger from some of the boys behind him.
"What's the point of asking if you're already sitting next to me?"
He said with his distant and calm voice. He truly wasn't in the mood for conversation.
"So? I take it that you won't tell me anything about what happened between you and the headmaster yesterday?"
"No point in asking then."
Dawn noticed the indifference in his voice and the lack of interest. She was used to being the center of attention, admired by everyone, but here was someone who had no interest in her. That intrigued her more than anything.
"You know, people are always interested in talking to me. I don't really understand why you're this way."
"..."
Ran didn't respond and just kept focusing on his meal. Dawn smiled bitterly and continued eating in silence.
Around them, people were whispering. Their center of attention was clearly on the two of them.
"Are they a couple?"
"Bruh, that's too soon to assume."
"Yeah, no way Lady Dawn would be interested in some commoner."
"Whatever. For people like us, we can only observe the cold beauty."
"You seem to have grasped reality pretty quickly, huh?"
"Why you-"
Ran heard it all. His expression darkened slightly, annoyed by their chatter.
"Seems like you don't want to gather attention."
"Then why are you leading to these events, Lady Dawn?"
Dawn didn't answer, continuing to eat her food in silence. Ran gave up on trying to reason with her and shifted his focus elsewhere. He had no time for these games. He knew the next three years would be anything but peaceful.
The headmaster had plans for him, and the pressure was already weighing on him, gnawing at him from the inside.
Dawn was curious. She could tell Ran was hiding something, and that only made her more interested. But he didn't seem interested in talking. Her usual charm didn't seem to faze him.
"I want to know more about you, Ran Bloodrune."
"Wh-"
Her words hit Ran like a shock to the chest. He glared at her, the distance between them growing.
"How do you know?"
He asked, his voice low and full of suppressed anger. His seal, the grotesque heart on his chest began to glow faintly trying to suppress the slumbering soul. If it weren't for the seal, he might have lashed out at her.
"Do not underestimate the spy network of the Montello family."
"..."
"Ran Bloodrune. A bastard born from the patriarch of the prestigious Bladesmen family, Somes Bloodrune. Right?"
Her gaze was calculating, and a small grin curved her lips. Fury welled up inside Ran. He grabbed her by the collar and yanked her toward him, his red eyes locking onto hers with a deadly intensity.
Just then, people stepped out from the shadows. Swords were drawn which were aimed directly at Ran's neck.
"Get your filthy hands off her."
It was Sid. Dawn's personal guard, and her most loyal servant. No one revered her more than he did in the entire Montello family.
The situation caused quite a gossip among the students, especially the ones who had been gossiping about the two.
"What the hell is going on?"
"Didn't you say they were a couple?"
"That doesn't matter. Call the student council president. Fights are forbidden."
But their words fell on deaf ears. For the Ran and Dawn, the spectacle happening right now was much more important than anything.
Dawn raised her hand, signaling for her guards to lower their weapons. Ran also reluctantly released his grip on her collar but his sharp eyes were never leaving her face.
Dawn, though surprised, didn't seem all that shaken. In fact, she seemed pleased.
"Choose your enemies wisely, Ran. I do not hold any malice toward you."
"How much do you know about me?"
"Aside from your rare disease and the mysterious massacre of the Moonwrath Guild, where Ran Bloodrune was involved, I want to know more."
Ran was momentarily speechless. The Montello spy network was vast, spanning the entire empire so gathering information about him would be child's play.
He felt a bit relieved that she didn't know some of the crucial details.
For now, he didn't see her as an enemy. But he knew this was far from over.
He turned, preparing to leave.
"Do not mess with me, Dawn Montello. I'm telling you since this for your own good."
With that, he walked away, tossing his plate of food aside. Dawn watched him leave, her curiosity was only growing.
As he disappeared into the crowd, she muttered under her breath, her eyes gleaming with intrigue.
'The more I think about you, the more I get intrigued.'