Game [1]

The warm glow of the dining hall's chandeliers barely softened the tension that clung to the air. Conversations buzzed in hushed tones, but beneath the surface, something colder lurked. Plates clattered, utensils scraped, but Harry, Max, and Tim were already heading toward the exit, eager to leave the suffocating atmosphere behind.

As they neared the door, a sudden force collided with Harry's shoulder. The impact was hard, deliberate. Harry staggered, his footing slipping on the polished floor, but before he could fall, Max's hand shot out, steadying him with a firm grip.

"You good?" Max asked, his voice low.

Harry straightened, brushing off his clothes like nothing had happened. The local who had bumped into him, a tall, broad-shouldered young man, didn't even glance back. Instead, he let out an audible tch and continued on his way, his posture oozing smug indifference.

Tim's jaw clenched, his fists balling at his sides. "These guys… They're doing it on purpose."

Harry chuckled softly, the sound dripping with sarcasm. "Relax, Tim. Ever heard the saying—you don't argue with chickens in the coop?" His smirk widened, mocking. "They'll just cluck louder."

The locals nearby, having overheard Harry's words, shot icy glares their way, their expressions darkening with thinly veiled hostility. But Harry, unfazed, merely shrugged and nudged Max forward.

"Let's go."

They pushed through the heavy doors, stepping into the cool night air, but the tension didn't leave with them. It clung to their backs like shadows, following them down the dimly lit corridors toward their rooms.

As they walked, Tim couldn't keep it in any longer. His voice was low, but laced with frustration. "They've been at it all day… bumping into you, whispering behind your back, stirring up rumors with the other students. They're trying to isolate you, Harry. Heck, they already made you the outcast. If not for..."

Max's eyes darkened at Tim's words, recalling his own observations. It wasn't subtle—the pointed looks, the strategic shoves in the training fields, the snide remarks muttered just loud enough to be heard. But Harry? He'd just brushed it all off, like it was nothing.

Harry finally stopped in front of their room, turning to face them. His expression softened just a little, the usual sarcasm giving way to something more genuine.

"Thanks for worrying, Tim," he said, his voice calm. He clapped him on the shoulder as they reached their room. "But don't lose sleep over it."

Tim hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Goodnight, you two."

"Night," Max replied, watching Tim walk down the hall before they entered their room.

_____ __ _

The familiar creak of the door closing behind them was barely an echo before another, softer knock came. The door cracked open, and Tess stepped inside without a word. She exchanged brief nods with both of them, her usual calm demeanor in place, before moving across the room to sit on Harry's bed, directly facing Max's.

Harry pulled out a small wooden table, the surface smooth from frequent use, and set it between the two beds. With a practiced motion, he dropped down beside Max, mirroring Tess's position.

A playful grin spread across Harry's face. "So, you ready to play, Big Sis Tess?"

Tess's lips curved into a subtle smile, her eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and challenge. "I've been waiting a whole week for this rematch. Don't think I've gotten rusty."

She reached into her satchel and pulled out a scroll of parchment, followed by a pen-like tool, placing them neatly on the table.

Harry nodded approvingly. "Good. Then, who's starting?"

"I will," Max said, raising his hand slightly. "Since I'm not that good at this."

Tess and Harry both nodded, and Max leaned forward, unrolling the scroll. His pen hovered over the parchment for a moment before he began to write.

While Max focused, Harry leaned back, a mock-proud expression on his face as if watching a student finally grasp a lesson. But deep down, he was relieved Max knew how to read and write—saved him from giving a crash course on the subject.

After a few minutes of focused scribbling, Max finally set the pen down with a small sigh, rolling his wrist to ease the tension. He pushed the scroll toward the center of the table, glancing up at Tess and Harry.

"Alright. I'm finished."

Harry immediately leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity, while Tess scooted closer, her expression composed but intrigued. The parchment crackled softly as they unrolled it fully, their eyes darting over Max's neat handwriting.

'1. We started understanding the locals the day after we arrived.'

Harry and Tess exchanged quick glances before nodding.

"Yeah," Harry said, tapping the first line with his finger. "That was weird. It was all anyone talked about that day, but then—"

"—everyone dismissed it like it was nothing," Tess finished, her brow furrowing slightly. "I guess we just… accepted it."

Harry gave a mock-proud grin. "See? Our boy's paying attention."

Tess chuckled softly, nodding in agreement as they moved to the next point.

'2. The locals are acting unusual, like they're used to us, the otherworlders. I noticed how they interact with us, and based on what Harry said, it doesn't feel like this is new to them.'

Tess let out a soft, impressed hmm, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "That's… a good point. Now that I think about it, I experienced the same thing."

Harry leaned back with a satisfied smirk. "Told you he's learning from me."

Max raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, secretly pleased with the praise.

But as their eyes moved to the third point, Harry's smirk grew wider, and Tess's calm demeanor cracked, a soft giggle escaping her lips.

'3. There's this girl who keeps talking to me non-stop. I think she's trying to distract me from my training. Thankfully, she left today. But another one came instead, again, interrupting my training.'

Harry burst out laughing, slapping his knee. "Oh, Max… You're too young to understand this, it seems."

Max blinked, genuinely confused. "Aren't we the same age?"

Harry waved him off, still chuckling. "Yeah, but not in mind, my friend."

Tess covered her mouth, stifling another giggle, while Harry clapped Max on the shoulder, still shaking with laughter.

"Don't worry, you'll figure it out soon enough," Harry said, his grin mischievous. "Though, honestly, it's better if you don't learn it for a while. Right, Big Sis?"

Tess paused for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah… That sounds logical. It can lead to… impulsive decisions."

Max frowned slightly but nodded in understanding, though a part of him still felt like he was missing something.

They turned back to the scroll, continuing down the list, their grins widening with each point.

'4. The food here is strange. I think the soup is alive—it keeps moving.'

Harry snorted, nearly doubling over with laughter. "Max, that was seaweed, not a living creature."

'5. Our class president often stares at me. Her eyes are scary. I think she has a grudge against me.'

Tess finally broke into open laughter, shaking her head. "You are really dense, right Max?"

'6. Tim eats too fast when Tess is with us. I think he's hiding something.'

'Hey, idiot, don't sell out your friend in front of your crush-!'

Harry wiped tears from his eyes, gasping between laughs. "Yeah, Max. He's hiding hunger."

By the time they finished reading, the tension from earlier had all but dissolved, replaced by the warmth of shared laughter. Max, though slightly embarrassed, found himself chuckling along, realizing how absurd some of his notes sounded out loud in other's perspectives.

Harry finally leaned back, exhaling deeply. "Alright, my turn. Let's see if I can top that."

"My reputation as the fool is at stake now after all."

"You don't say." Tess rolled her eyes playfully but nodded, readying the pen as Harry began to recount everything he'd learned—his tone shifting from lighthearted to serious as the pieces of their week's observations began to form a more troubling picture.

But for now, in that small room lit only by the soft glow of a single lantern, the weight of their situation felt just a little lighter.