***"I wanted to ask your name," the guy continued, trying to charm his way to her heart with a disarming smile. Wren, however, remained neutral to such tricks, her expression unreadable. She played along, intrigued by the guy's audacity, but also wary of his intentions. Although she was blunt to such charms, she also wanted a backer, and she wasn't stupid enough to be one of those type of female leads in movies who, when approached, acted high and mighty for no particular reason.
"I'm Wren, Wren Williams," she replied, her voice even and measured. Her eyes locked onto Darnell's, searching for any sign of insincerity or ulterior motives. Darnell's eyes sparkled with interest as he repeated her name, his voice rolling off his tongue with a smooth cadence. "And yours?" Wren asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Darnell Hayes," he replied, his smile widening as he extended his hand. Wren took it, her handshake firm, and Darnell's grip was warm and solid. As they shook hands, Wren noticed the way Darnell's eyes crinkled at the corners, and the way his hair fell across his forehead in a stylish, tousled manner.
"Nice to meet you, Wren," Darnell said, his voice low and smooth. Wren smiled politely, her eyes never leaving his face. "Likewise," she replied, her tone neutral.***
...
Darnell leaned against a nearby pillar, his eyes never leaving Wren's face. "So, Wren Williams, what brings you to this esteemed gathering?" he asked, his tone light and conversational.
Wren raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the question. "I'm here for the same reason as everyone else, I suppose," she replied, her voice measured. "To make connections, and maybe find a backer."
Darnell nodded, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Ah, a strategic move, I see," he said, his voice tinged with amusement. "And what makes you think you'll stand out from the crowd?"
Wren smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I'm not sure I will," she replied, her voice dry. "But I'm willing to take the risk."
Darnell chuckled, his laughter low and smooth. "I like your style, Wren," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Maybe I'll have to keep an eye on you."
As they talked, Wren found herself relaxing in Darnell's presence, despite his initial charm offensive. There was something about him that seemed genuine, something that made her want to know more. And Darnell, for his part, was intrigued by Wren's guarded nature, and her sharp wit. He found himself wanting to peel back the layers, to see what lay beneath her neutral expression. The conversation flowed easily, like a gentle stream, as they got to know each other, step by step.
Wren got to know that Darnell was an elite student in the Stellar Class, a prestigious group of students who had demonstrated exceptional abilities and achievements. With a ranking of top three best students, Darnell was a force to be reckoned with, and his level C status was a testament to his hard work and dedication. It was unimaginable for someone in the Stellar Class to achieve such a feat, and Wren couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for Darnell's accomplishments.
As they talked, Darnell mentioned that he was part of the marksmanship class, where he had consistently ranked top tier. His skills with a gun were impressive, and Wren found herself wondering what it would be like to see him in action. Darnell also mentioned that he had been a top-tier student in almost all his classes when he was in the Nova class, a younger group of students who were still developing their skills.
The only class where Darnell had struggled was toxicology techniques, a subject that required a deep understanding of poisons and their effects on the human body. Darnell admitted that his body couldn't adapt to the toxins, and he had struggled to keep up with the class. Despite this, he had still managed to excel in other areas, and Wren was impressed by his resilience and determination.
As she listened to Darnell's stories, Wren felt lucky to have hit it off with such a golden goose. She knew that having a connection with someone as talented and accomplished as Darnell could open doors for her, and she was eager to see where their relationship might go. With a newfound sense of excitement and possibility, Wren smiled at Darnell, and he smiled back, his eyes sparkling with warmth and interest.
"You're quite the accomplished student, aren't you?" Wren asked, her voice tinged with admiration. Darnell chuckled, his smile modest. "I try my best," he replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "But I have to say, I'm impressed by your confidence and poise. You're not like most people I've met."
Wren raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the comment. "Oh?" she asked, her voice neutral. "And what makes you think that?"
Darnell leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "You seem to know exactly what you want, and you're not afraid to go after it," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. "That's a quality I admire in people."
Wren smiled, feeling a sense of connection with Darnell. Maybe, just maybe, this chance encounter would turn out to be more than just a coincidence.
As the evening party came to an end, Wren got a powerful backer in Darnell, and had the best evening in months. As they parted ways, Wren couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and possibility. She and Darnell had discovered that they had a lot in common, from their favorite food (Italian cuisine) to their favorite color (navy blue). They both loved the same animal (cats), admired the same movie actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) and actress (Emma Stone), and even shared the same favorite place (the beach).
As they talked, Wren felt like she had found a kindred spirit in Darnell. They seemed to share the same mind, and their conversations flowed effortlessly. It was as if they were two souls in different bodies, connected by a deep and unspoken understanding.
But her happiness was short-lived when she bumped into Kai Blackwood and Elsa, who were talking at the entrance. Kai's eyes locked onto Wren's, and a smirk spread across his face.
Elsa's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between Wren and Darnell. "Well, well, well. Look at you, Wren. I didn't know you had a thing for seniors," Elsa said, her voice laced with mock surprise. Wren's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she kept her cool, her expression neutral.
"Just making connections, Elsa," Wren replied, her voice even. "You know how it is."
Kai snorted, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I know exactly how it is," he said, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "You're definitely making connections, all right. With the most eligible bachelor in the school."
Wren's eyes met Kai's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Elsa's eyes flicked between the two, a look of curiosity on her face. "What's going on here?" she asked, her voice hesitant.
But Wren just smiled, her eyes never leaving Kai's face. "Just having a good time, Elsa," she said, her voice sweet. "You know how it is." And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Elsa to wonder what had just happened.
Wren didn't go to her dormitory after leaving the halls. "Bilharzia" (her system name.)
"Yes, master." The system retorted.
"What is the best, tranquil and beautiful place in the academy for the Nova class?" Wren asked, rubbing her temples to calm her nerves.
"Master, the Orchid Blossom garden near the Serenity Lake would be perfect," the system replied.
"The Serenity Lake is a stunning spot, with crystal-clear waters that reflected the moonlight like a mirror. The surrounding cherry trees were in full bloom, their delicate pink petals gently swaying in the breeze. The air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of birds, creating a peaceful ambiance which would transport master to a different world.
"That's nice, send me the location now," Wren instructed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, location has been downloaded," the system replied, and Wren felt a sense of calm wash over her as she made her way to the Serenity Lake, eager to escape the chaos of the evening and find some solace in the beauty of nature.