Willowwand Academy had a way of never staying the same.
Euryale noticed it on the fifth morning.
The bridge near his dorm curved slightly more than before, and a willow branch that had hung low yesterday now lifted just enough for students to pass without ducking. The academy adjusted itself quietly, without announcement, like it was breathing.
He was beginning to understand the rhythm of the place.
Not fully.
But enough to move without feeling lost.
The class that morning was Foundations of Elemental Awareness, held in a wide hall with open walls. Light spilled in from all sides, reflecting off shallow channels of water carved into the floor.
Euryale took his usual seat near the back.
Rowan arrived a moment later, flopping down beside him."You hear the rumors today?" he whispered.
Euryale sighed lightly. "Which ones?"
"That someone from a major noble house enrolled yesterday. Late admission."
Mira slid into the seat on Euryale's other side. "They're saying he caused trouble on the road here."
"That narrows it down," Rowan said dryly.
Euryale barely listened.
Then the instructor cleared her throat.
"We have a new student joining this class today," she announced. "Lucien Verdant Hollow."
The name landed like a stone dropped into water.
Euryale's head lifted before he could stop himself.
A boy stepped forward.
Dark green coat, trimmed simply but clearly expensive. Hair neatly tied back, posture straight—but not stiff. His eyes moved calmly across the room, observant rather than arrogant.
Lucien Verdant Hollow.
The same boy from the village.
Lucien's gaze swept the class—and paused.
Just for a second.
On Euryale.
Recognition flickered.
Not surprise.
Something quieter.
Then Lucien looked away and bowed politely to the instructor.
"Take a seat," she said.
Lucien walked down the aisle and sat several rows ahead.
Rowan leaned close. "You know him?"
"…Yes," Euryale said.
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Should I be concerned?"
"No," Euryale said quickly. "He's… normal. Mostly."
Rowan snorted. "That's never a good sign."
Lucien did not speak to Euryale after class.
He didn't approach him.
Didn't wave.
Didn't act like they knew each other at all.
Which, strangely, made things easier.
The rumors, however, returned with new focus.
"Another noble."
"Of course he gets special treatment too."
"At least he took the test."
Euryale caught Lucien glancing his way once in the corridor.
Not judgmental.
Not curious.
Just… thoughtful.
It wasn't until late afternoon that it happened.
Euryale had taken a longer route back to his dorm, following a stream that wound behind several training halls. The academy was quieter there, the air thick with moss and water-scent.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
He stopped.
Lucien slowed as well.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Lucien cleared his throat."…You're Euryale."
Euryale turned. "Yes."
Lucien nodded. "I thought so."
Awkward silence followed.
Lucien sighed. "I didn't say anything in class because… well. I didn't know if you wanted it known."
Euryale blinked. "That we've met?"
"Yes."
Euryale considered this, then smiled faintly. "Thank you."
Lucien relaxed slightly. "Good."
They walked a few steps in silence.
"You didn't take the entrance test," Lucien said carefully.
Euryale nodded. "No."
Lucien didn't accuse him.
Didn't scoff.
He just said, "That explains the looks."
"You're getting them too," Euryale replied.
Lucien grimaced. "Nobles always do. For different reasons."
They stopped near the stream.
Lucien looked at the water, then back at Euryale."You helped my family in the village."
Euryale shrugged. "Anyone would have."
Lucien shook his head. "No. Not everyone would have done it quietly."
That made Euryale pause.
"…You didn't tell anyone," Euryale said.
Lucien smiled slightly. "Didn't seem like my place."
"I'm grounded, by the way," Lucien added.
Euryale blinked. "Here?"
Lucien sighed. "Academy-approved grounding. Very official. Very humiliating."
That earned a small laugh from Euryale.
"Still," Lucien continued, "I'm glad you're here."
"So am I," Euryale said honestly.
______________________________
They didn't promise anything.
Didn't shake hands.
Didn't declare friendship.
But when they parted ways, it felt… lighter.
As if something had settled into place.
From a balcony above, Rowan watched them split paths.
"…Huh," he muttered. "That one didn't explode."
Mira crossed her arms. "Give it time."
That night, Euryale sat by the stream beneath his window again.