A friend?

Isabella's perspective

"I'll be late, and Kate will scold me again. The stupid alarm couldn't have been louder," Isabella thought as she navigated the corridors, her urgency fueled by her meeting with her friend Kate at the cafeteria—a location she was unfamiliar with.

With a swift sprint, she arrived at the third floor's elevator section, catching a glimpse of the crystal doors in the process of closing. Realizing she couldn't afford any more delays, she tapped into her astral energy, channeling it into her lower body muscles, temporarily exceeding her body's physical speed limit.

As Isabella made her way into the elevator with a quick leap, she realized that Aymon's eyes followed her as she stepped inside. She knew that her accelerated movement might have been imperceptible to most, but Aymon's keen observation surprised her. It intrigued her, setting him apart from others she had encountered. Shortly after, he started a conversation. The fact that he specified the exact speed at which she moved shocked her. It was not a detail she expected someone to notice, especially given the subtlety of her astral enhancement. Isabella pondered on how this stranger possessed such acute perception and decided to use the handshake as a way to assess his astral energy levels, a method she learned from her father.

Back to the moment of the handshake

Just as the elevator was about to reach the ground floor, Aymon deployed the concentrated astral energy barrier in his right arm's third main astral channel and waited as Isabella's energy was getting closer and closer to it.

*Ding*, the sound that the elevator made as it reached the ground floor coincided with the moment Isabella's energy came in contact with Aymon's cunning barrier.

Aymon's gamble proved to be right; the situation unfolded just as he described it. It was the second situation. She managed to feel that something wasn't right, and she immediately retracted her astral energy, but she still received a small backlash, a light jolt.

As the elevator doors opened, Isabella maintained her friendly smile, though she couldn't shake off the subtle surprise caused by the unexpected resistance in her astral scan.

"I guess she is not just a fast girl with some tricks. Interestingly enough, she managed to retract her energy back in time to avoid the full backlash," Aymon thought as he guided her out of the elevator with a casual gesture while keeping the conversation light.

"So, Isabella, any exciting plans for the day?" Aymon inquired, his tone betraying no hint of the calculated move he had just executed.

The question lingered in the air, and Isabella, deciding to play along, responded, "Well, I have to meet a friend at the cafeteria, but I don't know where it is," Isabella admitted, her tone carrying a hint of genuine uncertainty.

"Well then, I guess that luck is on your side today as I am heading to the cafeteria myself," Aymon replied, a subtle twinkle in his eyes. He gestured for Isabella to follow him.

As they started walking side by side through the grandiose maze that the academy's hallways created, the temporary first-years realized just how advanced from a technological standpoint the academy was. The walls were adorned with holographic displays showcasing the history of the academy, the notable achievements of its students, and glimpses into the advanced teachings that they would soon benefit from, in case they pass.

As Isabella was a rather curious person, she couldn't help it when it came to her desire to uncover the veil shrouding her fellow student's abilities and rank. She shifted the conversation towards a more personal note, intrigued by how Aymon figured out the fact that she enhanced her muscle strength with astral energy.

"So, Aymon, you are in the War class, I guess," Isabella inquired as if she was already sure that Aymon, with such a high skill level, would, for sure, be in the War class. "Other than the fact that this is the best academy on Earth, was there something else that made you enroll here?"

Aymon, as if he saw it coming, had an answer prepared in advance, one that would only add to Isabella's curiosity, "Oh, but you flatter me as I am a Peace class student. When it comes to skill, I can say with certainty that you are way better than me. As for the reason why I've decided to study here, I'll tell you some other time, because it seems that we've reached the cafeteria."

As they entered the cafeteria, the aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air, and the bustling energy of students created a lively atmosphere. Isabella couldn't help but notice the diverse array of students, each with their unique style, as the students weren't obliged to wear their uniforms outside of class. The cafeteria itself was a spacious area with modern furnishings, holographic menus, and large crystal windows that offered a panoramic view of the academy grounds.

Now, that they reached the cafeteria, Aymon felt no need to satisfy Isabella's curiosity any longer, so he decided to remind the rather clumsy girl of the fact that she had to meet with her friend there.

"It was a pleasure getting to know you, but I am afraid that we have to part ways here," Aymon gestured towards the vibrant cafeteria surroundings. "The cafeteria awaits, and I wouldn't want you to keep your friend waiting. Perhaps we'll run into each other again." His tone was polite, though there was a hint of mystery as he gracefully excused himself.

Isabella, catching onto the subtle cue, nodded understandingly, "You're right. Kate must be wondering where I am." She offered a sincere smile, "Thank you for your company, Aymon. I'll see you around; maybe we can exchange A-IDs."

As Aymon put on balance the benefits of agreeing to exchange A-IDs, he figured that he had nothing to lose by doing so, and he complied, "Sure!" After taking his portable LP-67 out of his pocket, Aymon glassed over Isabella's device, thus adding each other as friends on the academy's special platform for students.

With a quick exchange of A-IDs, Isabella and Aymon seamlessly connected in the digital realm of the academy. The holographic interface displayed their newly formed connection, symbolizing the start of a potential friendship. Isabella, feeling a sense of camaraderie after their intriguing encounter, gave Aymon a friendly wave as she turned to join Kate.