Silent Judgments

The lingering warmth of her mother's presence faded as Elara found herself back within the austere halls of the Ascension Magic Academy. The comforting glow of the fireplace was replaced by the cool, polished stone beneath her shoes, and the gentle murmur of her mother's voice by the distant hum of magical energy. She held her timetable in her hand, her gaze scanning the list of classes. Professor Olix Kyfman's Astrology class, followed by Professor Eldrin's Advanced Spellcraft—two of her few academic interests. A flicker of anticipation, rare for her, sparked within her.

Nyx and Helaris were absent, engaged in their own lessons within the Academy's menagerie. Even mythical beasts, it seemed, were subject to the institution's rigorous curriculum. Elara, lost in her own thoughts, began to make her way towards Professor Kyfman's classroom.

A sudden tap on her shoulder startled her from her reverie. She turned to see Zalu, her bright smile radiating an energy that contrasted sharply with Elara's quiet composure. Elara offered a small, polite smile and a nod, acknowledging her presence.

"Hey, Elara!" Zalu greeted her, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. She launched into another stream of chatter, oblivious to Elara's typically reserved demeanor. "Guess what? I was just looking at my timetable, and…"

She paused, her eyes widening slightly. "Oh, you're heading to Professor Kyfman's class, right? Can I see your timetable?"

Elara raised an eyebrow, her expression questioning. "Why?"

"I want to see if we have any classes together," Zalu explained, her smile widening. "It would be so cool if we did!"

Elara, after a moment of silent contemplation, handed her the timetable. Zalu's eyes lit up as she scanned the list. "Yes! We have almost all our classes together!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable. "Can I walk with you to class?"

Elara regarded her for a few seconds, her expression as enigmatic as ever. Then, with a subtle nod, she agreed. They walked in silence, Zalu's incessant chatter filling the space between them, until they reached the classroom.

As Elara stepped through the doorway, her shoes clicking softly on the stone floor, a hush fell over the room. All eyes turned to her, a mixture of awe, resentment, and curiosity swirling in their gazes. Elara internally sighed.

What the hell? she thought, her irritation simmering beneath her composed exterior. This is annoying. Why do they always do this? It's not like I'm the Professor, for Pete's sake!

She glanced at Zalu, who seemed unfazed by the sudden silence. Zalu, with a surprising display of boldness, took Elara's hand and led her to a pair of empty seats. Elara, though slightly taken aback by the physical contact, remained silent, allowing Zalu to guide her.

As they sat, the whispers began, a low, insidious hum that filled the room. Elara, with her heightened senses, could easily decipher the words: "Did she blackmail Zalu?"

"Why is Zalu sitting with her?"

"They're so different."

Elara turned to Zalu, her emerald eyes piercing. "Why are you sitting with me?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm. "And why did you hold my hand?"

Zalu's cheeks flushed slightly, a rare display of embarrassment. "Oh," she stammered, "that… that was a mistake. I just… I wanted to sit with you."

Elara nodded, her expression unreadable. She turned away, her posture regaining its usual noble poise. The whispers continued, but she ignored them, her mind already drifting to the intricacies of celestial alignments and the mysteries of the cosmos.

Lost in the quiet hum of her own thoughts, Elara felt another light tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Zalu, her expression earnest with apology.

"I am so sorry for touching you earlier without permission, Elara. It was a transgression, and I understand the impropriety of touching someone of your high rank," she said, acknowledging the social chasm between them.

"Even as a duke's daughter, the granddaughter of an achduke… it is quite daunting. I have been rather afraid to approach you even though I've always admired you, and only just now managed to gather the courage to." A shy smile accompanied her explanation.

Elara regarded her for a moment, her stern gaze unwavering. "It is acceptable. I grant you permission for this instance, but refrain from excessive familiarity."

Their conversation was interrupted by a figure rising from a nearby seat. A boy with brown hair and dark skin, a smirk playing on his lips, approached their table. "Well, well, Princess Elara," he drawled, the title laced with mockery, "what a curious sight. The esteemed granddaughter consorting with… Zalu? Are the great houses now forging alliances through such… unexpected pairings?" His friends snickered behind him.

"YOU—" Zalu began, rising to her feet, a protective fire in her eyes, but Elara raised a hand, silencing her with a subtle gesture.

Elara's cool gaze turned to the boy, who leaned insolently on their table, looking down at her. "I do not believe I extended permission for you to address me," she stated, her voice a low, glacial tone. "Furthermore, your lack of respect for my social standing, and indeed your own, is… noted." Her emerald eyes held a cold, threatening intensity as she looked up at him. "A count's son should know better than to meet my gaze with such insolence. Your confidence, however miniature, is misplaced. To be frank, your attempt at mockery is pathetically amusing. You are beneath me, an insect that can easily be crushed beneath my heel."

A flicker of fear finally crossed his features, and his gaze dropped.

"The Academy's pretense of disregarding social standing is irrelevant here, mongrel ," Elara continued, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Beyond these gates, a single word from me could dismantle your entire existence. A snap of my fingers," she punctuated the statement with a sharp snap, a faint smirk playing on her lips, "or even a breath, and your insignificant life could vanish. Return to your seat, little boy, and remain out of my sight. Do not presume to look down on me, or even to meet my eyes again, lest I decide to gouge them out and adorn my chambers with them as novelties." With a dismissive wave of her hand, she turned her attention back to Zalu.

A stunned silence filled the room. The silence in the classroom stretched, thick and heavy, punctuated only by the faint shuffling of feet as the count's son, his face now a mask of shame and fear stumbled back to his seat. His friend's eyes wide and darting between Elara and their retreating companion dared not to meet her gaze.

This was a side of Elara they had never witnessed. Zalu stared at her, awe and admiration shining in her eyes. "Wow!" she exclaimed softly, leaning closer to Elara, her own anger completely overshadowed by admiration "that… that was incredible, Elara. I wouldn't have even thought to say half of that. You truly showed him his place."

Elara gave a small, almost imperceptible tilt of her head. "He was being disrespectful and forgetting his standing. Such behavior cannot be tolerated, regardless of the Academy's supposed egalitarian ideals." There was a hint of weariness in her voice, as if such displays, though necessary, were a tiresome burden.

A new wave of whispers erupted among the other students. "What in the Taerh was that?" one gasped. "Did you see how she just… eviscerated him? That was amazing!" Another voice, "she's like ice." another breathed.

"And I heard her magic is incrcredible." A fourth added, her voice their tone laced with new profound respect, and perhaps fear.

The room filled with surprised admiration, echoed the sentiment. The quiet, seemingly aloof Elara they thought they knew had just revealed a formidable presence they had never imagined.