A sudden shift

Bastian paused, his blue eyes flickering with a thoughtful glint as he walked beside Alex through the sunlit corridor of Starhaven Academy, the earlier confrontation with Vaelen fading into the bustling hum of students.

The marble floor gleamed under crystal panels, prismatic light dancing across their path, the air warm with the scent of parchment and faint herbs.

"In fact," Bastian said, his voice quieter, more reflective, "Vaelen's probably not an ass. He's just misguided, 'cause he's got a father who's an ass."

His words carried a weight, a hint of empathy beneath his usual mischief, his blonde hair catching the sunlight as he glanced at Alex, the corridor's lively chatter a soft backdrop.

Alex nodded, his red eyes fixed ahead, his frustration from the tutoring session and Vaelen's hostility easing into curiosity, his confidence steady as he processed Bastian's insight.