...

Si-Woo walked into the bustling commons during the lunch hour, the air thick with the sounds of students chattering and utensils clinking against trays. He grabbed a pre-packaged meal, its neat wrapping labeled with the academy’s seal, and scanned the crowded room. Eyes flitted toward him, some students whispering to one another, while others simply stared, their curiosity thinly veiled.

Z, perched on his head as always, chirped softly, sensing his hesitation. Si-Woo sighed, the weight of their attention pressing down on him. Where am I even supposed to sit? he thought, the rows of tables looking more like a maze than a place to relax.

Finally deciding against the chaos, he turned and slipped out of the commons. Navigating the academy halls with his meal in hand, he searched for someplace quieter. His footsteps echoed faintly as he climbed a winding staircase, drawn by a faint breeze he could feel through the corridors. The roof...i guess some things will remain the same.

Reaching the top, Si-Woo pushed open a heavy door to find a wide-open rooftop terrace bathed in sunlight. The blue sky stretched endlessly above him, framed by the jagged mountain terrain that surrounded the academy. The cool breeze carried the faint scent of the earth and greenery below.

For a moment, he just stood there, letting the wind brush past him, Z’s wings fluttering lightly in response. “This is perfect,” he murmured, his gaze sweeping across the scenery.

But as he turned his head to the right, his eyes landed on a familiar pair. In the corner of the roof, sitting comfortably with their meals in front of them, were Lirin and Oapa.

Lirin sat cross-legged, her denim-blue ponytail swaying slightly in the breeze as she adjusted her glasses. Oapa, hooded as always, leaned back against the railing with an air of quiet relaxation. They hadn’t noticed him yet, engrossed in a conversation too far away for him to catch.

Si-Woo hesitated, debating whether to join them or find a different spot. But Z, ever the curious bond, chirped and flapped its tiny wings as if to announce their presence.

Both Lirin and Oapa turned toward the sound. Lirin raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable, while Oapa offered a slight nod of acknowledgment.

“Well, if it isn’t the rooftop wanderer,” Lirin said dryly, adjusting her glasses. “Decided to escape the chaos below, huh?”

Si-Woo chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. It was... a bit much down there.”

“Understandable,” Oapa said, gesturing with a light wave. “Feel free to join us, if you’d like.”

After a moment’s pause, Si-Woo walked over and settled down a few feet from them, placing his meal on the ground. “Thanks,” he said, his voice sincere.

Lirin watched him for a moment before speaking. “So, how are you finding the academy so far?” she asked, her tone neutral but tinged with curiosity.

Si-Woo glanced at Z, who had hopped down to perch beside his meal. “It’s... different. Bigger than what I’m used to, and the people here...” He trailed off, searching for the right words.

“Can be insufferable?” Lirin offered, her lips curving into a slight smirk.

Si-Woo laughed despite himself. “I was going to say ‘intense,’ but yeah, that too.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Oapa let out a low chuckle, his light green eyes glinting faintly under his hood. “You’ll adjust. It’s all part of the process. Though I will say, you’ve made quite the impression already.”

Si-Woo sighed, leaning back on his hands. “I guess I just wasn’t expecting this much attention.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Lirin said, popping a piece of fruit into her mouth. “Or you’ll learn to ignore it. Either way, it’s better up here than down there with the ‘meatbrains,’ right?”

Si-Woo smiled, the tension in his shoulders easing as the three of them shared the quiet space above the academy.

Oapa tilted his head slightly, his light green eyes glinting faintly under his hood as he turned to Lirin. “What have I said about being more respectful to your classmates, even if they seem a bit... off?” he asked, his tone patient but pointed.

Lirin shrugged, adjusting her glasses with an indifferent expression. “I wasn’t being disrespectful,” she said, her voice matter-of-fact. “I’m just stating the truth. If they can’t handle it, that’s their problem, not mine.”

Oapa sighed, his tail flicking lightly against the rooftop’s surface. “There’s a difference between truth and tact, Lirin. You’re smart enough to know that.”

Si-Woo watched the exchange with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.

Despite her sharp tongue, Lirin seemed unfazed by Oapa’s gentle reprimand, and Oapa didn’t seem genuinely annoyed, only mildly exasperated.

“Well,” Si-Woo interjected, hoping to shift the conversation, “at least up here, we don’t have to worry about dealing with anyone... unpleasant.”

Lirin smirked, her indigo eyes flicking toward him. “See? Even you’re starting to understand.”

Oapa chuckled, shaking his head. “Let’s just hope that understanding doesn’t rub off too much,” he said, his tone teasing.

Si-Woo laughed lightly, brushing Z’s tail as the wyvern chirped softly. Despite the strange dynamics, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie forming between them.

Lirin placed her sandwich to the side and stepped closer to Si-Woo, her indigo eyes narrowing as she studied Z with open fascination. “It’s truly fascinating,” she said, her voice soft but tinged with curiosity, “that your bond has been with you this long, especially since you haven’t awakened yet.”

Si-Woo gave a small smile, reaching up to scratch the underside of Z’s chin. “He just... shows up,” he replied. “I don’t think I'll ever get used to it, but I’m glad he’s here.”

Lirin adjusted her glasses, her gaze never leaving Z. “Most students form their bonds by Level 2 or so,” she began, her tone slipping into an almost academic cadence. “But the bonds, especially younger creatures, tend to come and go. It’s rare for them to stay for long periods—especially when their initiator hasn’t awakened yet.”

She crouched slightly, her face now level with Z. The wyvern tilted its head curiously, its white scales shimmering faintly in the sunlight. “But your bond,” Lirin continued, her voice thoughtful, “there’s something... different about him. The viscous humor in the eyes of a whiteblood wyvern is said to reflect their perception of their partner. For him to remain by your side this consistently...” She trailed off, her expression a mix of awe and intrigue. “It must mean Z sees something rare—something beyond just a prepubescent child.”

Si-Woo blinked in surprise, her words settling over him. He glanced at Z, who let out a soft croon, its tail curling slightly around Si-Woo’s neck as if in affirmation. “I’ve never really thought about it like that,” Si-Woo admitted.

Lirin stood back up, brushing off her skirt. “You should,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact. “Bonds, especially ones as unique as this, are a reflection of the bondholder’s potential. I’ve only read about whiteblood wyverns before, and seeing one in person—” She adjusted her glasses again, the light catching their surface. “—it’s like seeing a legend come to life.”

Si-Woo chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. “Well, you should meet my sister sometime,” he said, his voice tinged with amusement. “She has three bonds, and they’re around her all the time. You’d probably lose it.”

Lirin’s head snapped toward him, her eyes widening slightly. “Three bonds? Constantly around her?” she asked, incredulous.

“Yup,” Si-Woo replied, his smile widening. “Two spade wolves and a warping teharite. They’ve been sticking to her like glue lately.”

Lirin muttered something under her breath, clearly trying to process this information. “I’d need to see that for myself,” she said finally, her voice quieter than usual. “That’s... beyond extraordinary.”

Oapa, who had been silently watching the exchange, chuckled. “Well, Si-Woo, it seems your family has a way of leaving strong impressions.”

Si-Woo smiled sheepishly, patting Z’s tail again. Even if I haven’t awakened yet, it’s nice to know Z sees something in me, he thought.