From the far side of the field, a group of third-year students began walking over. Their crimson-trimmed uniforms made them stand out immediately, and so did the way they carried themselves—shoulders back, heads high, smirks already forming on their faces.
They moved slowly, intentionally, like they wanted everyone to notice them.
One of them, tall with slick brown hair and an easy grin, stepped forward and called out mockingly:
"Well, well, look who it is. The prodigy first years."
His tone dripped with sarcasm, loud enough for several nearby students to hear.
"Outperformed us, did you?"
A first-year boy with short black hair frowned and replied simply, trying to stay calm:
"That's what the principal said."
The third-year's grin widened.
"Oh, I heard what he said." He leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing. "But let me ask you this—did any of you actually bring back a relic core? Or were you too busy running from beasts and getting lucky?"
