A calm chaos followed as the woman left. It started as a hush. Then a shuffle as the students looked at each other. They weren't sure what to do or where they were supposed to be, but eventually, it was decided that they were free for the day, and not a word was spoken. This caused voices to rise as other students simply left. Ravina was about to leave herself, wondering if there was anything to find in the market today. Yet, as she stood, a couple approached her.

"Hi," said the boy. He was on the tall side, perhaps a little lanky. Brown hair fell over his head in messy curls. He looked at Ravina with brown eyes through a pair of glasses. “I’m Cam, and this is Abee,” he said, pointing to the young girl hiding in his shadow. From what Ravina could see, she was a little petite. Her dark hair was tied in a ponytail, and only one of her eyes could be seen.

Ravina smiled at them. “Pleasure,” she said. “Is there something I can help you with?” she wondered, not entirely sure why they had come up to her.

The boy laughed. “Well, we’re both from Nalthus and just arrived, so we’re new to the area. We thought we might as well explore it with a classmate… you know?” His smile spoke of confidence, but his words broke a little at the end.

“I see,” Ravina said. So it was an invitation. What does one do in this situation? How long had it been since she hung out with people her own age? Ravina blinked at the thought, looking around. They were all around her age. It made sense, though; students needed to study magic at a young age to be able to use it.

Seeing her look around, Cam admitted, “Well, everyone else seems grouped up, and Abee and I are kinda shy.” He chuckled softly as the girl pushed herself further behind him.

“Oh yes,” Ravina finally said. “It's, well, I haven't really hung out with people, so I was just a little shy myself,” she admitted. Immediately, she wondered why on earth she said that. Quickly, she corrected herself. “It's just, I don't know what we would do.” She shrugged. No, she chided herself internally, just say yes, what's wrong with you!

“I understand.” Cam nodded. “Well, how about a meal then?” He looked behind him, swinging an arm around the girl and pulling her up to stand beside him. “I could go for some food, and I know Abee could eat as well.”

“Sure, sounds good.” Ravina nodded, and as she rose from her seat, another kid spoke up across the room.

“Y’all eating?” they called.

“Huh, y-yeah,” Cam said.

“Cool, actually we should all join y’all,” the student said, turning to the others in the room. “We are in the same class, and as the teacher said, we should get along with everyone.”

Murmurs of agreement rose, and soon enough, it was agreed that they would all enjoy a meal together. However, like Cam and Abee, most of them had just arrived. As such, Ravina, being the one who had been here for a while, suggested a restaurant. Unfortunately, the high-class place refused the group, as they had failed to call ahead.

“I’m very sorry," Ravina said.

“It’s alright,” said a taller boy with a lean build. “Tell you what, I might know a place that my father told me about. Good food and people.” So they followed him. He led them through one alley and then another, muttering to himself, “It's… this way,” and “Uh… that's different.” But he did manage to bring them to a red door that stood sharply against the dull surroundings.

With a knock, they entered a surprisingly empty restaurant. It wasn't exactly clean, nor was it dirty, but they were greeted warmly, and the staff quickly put together a large table for them to sit at.

As they were getting settled, the boy stood up and clapped his hands. “I believe introductions are in order,” he offered. “Since we have a large group, we should just do a round robin. So I’ll start. I'm Franklin Guerrero, son of a rather wealthy merchant and my father’s fourth biggest disappointment, but I am working on being number one.” His laughter enticed the others to giggle at his joke. He then offered the spotlight to the woman on his right.

“Ah, well,” she jumped up at the rather unexpected call. She pushed her auburn hair behind her ear. “I'm Sheila Rowe,” she said with a flutter of her bright green eyes. “daughter of a father who wanted me to marry a cousin so we could expand the farm. But thankfully, a passing mage discovered my talent in time. It's my first time in the city, so I am looking forward to exploring it with all of you.” She smiled as she gave an awkward bow born out of nerves.

“Aww, sweetie!” a petite girl with curly blonde hair rushed forward and gave her a warm hug. “Same! Well it wasn't a cousin, but like, the only other boy in the village,” she giggled, her blue eyes twinkling from her freckled face. “Like, I get it, it was him or baby Ivan but lords above he was as dumb as a bag of rocks—though less dangerous and all.” She turned to the others. “Anyways, my name is Betsy Cain, and this little girl is mine.” She hugged Sheila tighter and stuck her tongue out at the boys.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Well, that's fine,” a young boy with glasses called out from the group next. “I have my sights set on someone else.” He winked at another girl who blushed, burying her head in his shoulder.

“Quiet, Cam,” she warned.

He let out a small laugh, giving her a warm pat on the head as he continued. “Well, I'm Carmen Daniel and this little tomato is Aubrey Russo.” Aubrey hit him with her free hand. “She doesn't like attention, but we both came from Nalthus City and plan to get married after we graduate.”

“Congratulations,” the other students offered their support, which only made the shy Aubrey hide behind the young man, who looked proud at his teasing.

The divided conversations soon died down, and a boy with a sturdy build stood from his seat. He had black hair that made his piercing blue eyes all the more stunning. “Well then, if we would like to get back to the original topic, I'll introduce myself as Rocco Campbell, pride of the Summoner Orphanage.”

Ravina blinked at the term and spoke up before she could stop herself, “Summoner Orphanage?” The name was familiar. “Is that part of the Loraine initiative?”

“The very same,” he confirmed. A smile widened on his face as he added, “Are you a graduate from that initiative as well?”

“No, I…” she hesitated, “just heard some good things.” She offered.

“Yes, well. Without it, I would be another bum on the street, so I am thankful for it,” he added, his face falling a bit, but he continued to smile at her.

“Ugh, it's such a cancer,” another boy complained. In stark contrast to Rocco, this boy was dressed finely, his clothes designed to match his build and accent his blond hair and blue eyes. He looked at his hands as he shook his head and stated, “Those useless things take away from the proper values of society.” Looking up, he added, “We mustn't allow such people to rise up in status simply because they have been abandoned.”

Rocco turned to him, his anger burning the air beside him. He maintained his composure as he spoke, but just barely. “Oh, and what would you rather have, a bunch of kids starving on the street?”

The boy blinked in confusion, looking around the room with his brows furrowed. Finally, he stuttered, “What, no, that’s not what I meant—” He coughed to regain some of his composure. Sitting up straight, he continued, “What I mean is that kids should learn from their parents. Not a random stranger.”

“Well, my parents are both dead, and Ms. Cherry is more of a mom to me than that dead woman,” Rocco coldly spat.

The other boy’s face fell. “Wha—no, I mean—”

He was cut off as Franklin clapped his hands loudly. “We can leave the politics behind for now, yes? After all, the teacher did say we are all equal in the class, so we should respect that. Why don't you tell us your name?”

The boy looked between Franklin and Rocco before looking at the table. His mouth opened a few times, but he maintained his silence. Finally, with a breath, he stood up and gave a graceful bow. “My name is Tommie Reid, second son of Count Reid and owner of the Hartholz Mine.” A harsh silence followed his introduction. Tommie's face fell as he looked around the room, fear creeping in as his eyes started to widen.

“Well, we know who will be paying for the meal,” Franklin joked, offering the joy of introductions to another young boy.

“Yes,” the next boy said with a rather thick accent. “I am Julio Mack. Uh, I come from the south with a wise man. He brought me here to learn.” Julio Mack was a young man of medium height and dark curly hair. He looked at them with grey-brown eyes and nodded at his words as if acknowledging they were correct.

“Where in the south? Mentrezia?” another student asked. “You sound like you're from Mentrezia. One of my maids has that same accent.”

“Mentrezia? No, uh… more to the left?” Julio drew in the air with his fingers. “Smaller too, called Pelicana Turance to us, but…” He tilted his head in thought.

Again, Franklin clapped. “Let's not get too sidetracked now. We still have three people to go, but why don't you tell us about yourself,” he offered to the next student.

“Yes, right.” The young man rose with a smile “Well, I am Avis Gonzalez.” He smiled at his introduction, looking around and expecting some recognition. He was tall and slender, with neatly styled black hair. His sharp, angular face matched his fine clothes, reflecting a family of wealth. “Of Zalez Jewelry,” he offered when no one showed any sign of recognition.

“I’m Larry Stephens,” the next boy began after a painful silence. Larry had sandy blond hair and an easygoing smile.

“Wha—Zalez is the recognized jewelry brand in all of Eisen!” Avis exclaimed, trying to make his point.

“And I actually grew up here,” Larry continued, scratching his cheek with a finger. “Mom runs a store that sells the flowers most florist students grow, gets a nice 20% commission… but it depends on the student's skill and… well… their flowers, you know?” He shrugged.

“Jewelry is not abstract, it's really valuable!” Avis said desperately.

“And last but not least,” Franklin said, ignoring Avis he nodded to Ravina.

“I’m…” she hesitated. “Emily Grant,” she said, reviving the long-forgotten alias she had made once a long time ago. Finally, her other persona could live once again. “I'm from Ravin Fort and was lucky enough to be sponsored by one of the nobles there,” she lied again. She realized now that her life was little more than a lie. This realization silenced her, and she sat back in her chair.

“Wonderful,” Franklin called. “And it looks like the food is here as well.” True to his words, the staff brought many plates full of food. “Thank you, Marie.”

The proprietor of the restaurant waved her hand. “Don't worry about it, little Franky,” she said, and with that, the students began to eat. They struck up conversations with those beside them, a few shouting over the table.