New Bonds [2]

Lucian sat in his dorm room, staring out of the window at the bustling academy grounds below.

The events of the past week swirled in his mind, leaving him with a feeling of disbelief. "I can't believe this is happening. A tour with the main characters," he thought, shaking his head in mild amusement.

For the past nine days, life at the academy had been… interesting, to say the least.

Kael Vexari's extroverted energy made it impossible to have a dull moment, while Elena Sylphar's balanced demeanor kept their group in check.

Zara Zenthara, though reserved, had gradually warmed up to the group, adding her dry wit and sharp observations to their conversations.

The four of them had naturally fallen into a rhythm—training together, sharing meals, and talking about everything from their ambitions to their families.

Despite this newfound camaraderie, Lucian couldn't shake a nagging thought. "Where are the protagonist and the female lead of the novel?" Their absence was puzzling, especially since they were supposed to be central to the story.

Before he could delve too deeply into his musings, a knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.

Lucian stood, stretched, and headed downstairs, where he found Kael, Elena, and Zara waiting for him.

Kael grinned the moment he spotted Lucian. "Finally! We thought you'd never come down," he teased, earning a small glare from Zara.

"I wasn't that late," Lucian replied, rolling his eyes.

Kael clapped a hand on Lucian's shoulder. "Come on, you can make it up to us by joining our city tour. It's our last chance before we're trapped in the academy for the semester."

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Trapped?"

Elena smirked. "He means we won't be able to leave until the semester break. The academy has strict rules about students staying on campus during term time."

Lucian nodded, silently grateful for the opportunity to explore more of the world outside the academy. "Alright, let's go."

The four of them set off, their laughter and banter filling the air as they walked toward the city gates.

Their first stop was the cinema, a modern facility that blended advanced mana technology with traditional architecture.

Kael was particularly enthusiastic about the movie they watched, a high-action fantasy drama with exaggerated magic battles and over-the-top heroes.

"This is ridiculous," Zara muttered halfway through, crossing her arms as an on-screen character defied every logical rule of mana usage.

Kael, on the other hand, was thoroughly entertained. "It's not about logic, Zara—it's about fun!"

Lucian chuckled at their back-and-forth, enjoying the lively energy of the group.

After the movie, they headed to the amusement park.

The bright lights and cheerful atmosphere felt surreal, a stark contrast to the structured life of the academy.

Kael and Elena insisted on riding the most thrilling attractions, while Zara reluctantly joined in, her stoic expression barely hiding her unease during the faster rides.

Lucian couldn't help but smile. It was a rare moment of levity, a chance to see his newfound companions in a more relaxed setting.

"You're surprisingly calm for someone who's been through the spinning vortex twice," Elena noted as they exited one of the rides.

Lucian shrugged. "I've been through worse trials."

Kael laughed. "That's not exactly reassuring."

Lunch was a lively affair at a renowned restaurant in the city.

They shared dishes, joked about Kael's overeagerness on the rides, and exchanged stories about their lives before the academy.

Lucian found himself observing the dynamics of the group.

Kael's charisma and warmth made him the heart of their interactions, while Elena's composed yet friendly nature grounded them.

Zara's sharp intellect and occasional dry humor added depth to their conversations.

As they talked, Lucian couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging—a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Their final stop was a shopping district near the academy.

The bustling streets were lined with shops selling everything from enchanted trinkets to rare mana crystals.

Kael's enthusiasm was infectious as he darted from stall to stall, dragging Zara along despite her protests.

Elena walked beside Lucian, her expression thoughtful. "It's nice, isn't it? To take a break from everything."

Lucian nodded. "Yeah. It feels... normal."

She glanced at him, a small smile on her lips. "Normal can be good sometimes."

By the time they returned to the academy, the moon was high in the sky.

The group was exhausted but content, their laughter still echoing as they parted ways for the night.

As Lucian entered his dorm, he paused for a moment, reflecting on the day.

He couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning—that this unlikely group of friends would play a much bigger role in the days to come.