Observing Lian's serious question, the boy smiled, pointing at himself with his thumb. "You are talking to the great Rick! Nothing escapes my eyes. Besides…" he said as he glanced around, "no one here wears a hood and walks as cautiously as you do—"
"Fair enough…" Lian listened attentively as the boy named Rick talked about himself. He had been a student at the academy for several years and had turned 20 this year.
Moreover… "What? You have a unique affinity? And why are you telling me this?"
"Is it not obvious? I want us to become friends! You are a strong guy. I saw you fighting in the ring; it was epic!"
Rick continued to ramble nonsense about how unique Lian was and how much he wanted a strong and genuine friend.
"What do you mean you have no friends? Have you not been here for a few years?!?"
