A shadow fell over the page. I looked up.
Two girls stood there, silhouetted against the dim glow of the mana-lanterns filtering through the library's high windows. The one in front had short brown hair cropped close to her head, framing a sharp face with piercing blue eyes and an athletic build that spoke of someone who spent more time in training halls than behind a desk. She wore the academy uniform with an air of authority, the fabric tailored just enough to suggest she wasn't a first-year like me. Beside her was a taller girl with long red hair cascading over her shoulders, green eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and mischief. Her uniform was looser, rebellious in how she had rolled up the sleeves, and a small amulet dangled from her neck, glowing faintly.
They were the four eyes.
The realization hit me like a cold draft from the library's stone floors. These were the ones who'd been staring—drilling into my back during the roll call, lingering outside my class, watching from the shadows. My grip tightened on the book, the leather cover creaking under my fingers.
The brown-haired girl crossed her arms, her blue eyes narrowing as she glanced at the title. "That's advanced reading for a first-year. Forbidden, even. What are you doing with *Forbidden Runes of the Abyss*?"
The red-haired one tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, not exactly light bedtime material. You look like you're in over your head already."
I closed the book slowly, my mind racing. Confront them? Or play dumb? Stay invisible—that was the plan. But they were already here, and the stares had to stop. I couldn't have them following me everywhere.
"I could ask the same of you," I said, keeping my voice even. "Why have you been watching me? From the auditorium to my class. The four eyes boring into my back—it's you two, isn't it?"
The brown-haired girl's eyebrows shot up, surprise flickering across her face before she masked it with a stern expression. "Watching you? Bold assumption. We're third-years. We have free time. And you... well, you do stand out. Late to orientation, undefined affinity, that hair. It's not every day a commoner F-Class kid draws that much attention."
The red-haired one chuckled softly, leaning against a bookshelf. "She's not wrong. But yeah, guilty as charged. We were curious. You burst in like you owned the place, then that test... pale blue flicker, undefined? That's rare. And the way you answered Thorne's question—quiet, but spot on. Like you already knew it all."
I felt a chill run down my spine again, the same one from yesterday. They weren't hostile, but their interest felt probing, like they were piecing together a puzzle I didn't want solved.
"Why?" I pressed, my voice low. "What do you want from me? I'm just a commoner. F-Class. Undefined. Nothing special."
The brown-haired girl exchanged a glance with the red-haired one, something unspoken passing between them. Then she sighed, uncrossing her arms. "Look, Vale—sorry, Eryndor, right? I'm Elara Thorne. This is Lyra Solstice. We're third-years. Lyra's a commoner like you—stipendiat, climbed from F-Class herself. I'm... well, high noble, but don't hold that against me."
Lyra grinned. "And we're friends because, surprise, the academy's not just about bloodlines. Sometimes it's about who you can trust when the nobles turn their backs."
Elara shot her a look but continued. "We were in the back during roll call. Saw you come in late, the teacher overlook you at first. Then that chill when you stood up—like you felt us watching. And yeah, we were. Not to bully you or anything. Just... curious. Undefined affinities are dangerous. They can lead to instability, burnout. And with your hair—violet, right? That's not common. Makes you a target."
Lyra nodded. "Plus, Thorne's class? We had a free hour, so we peeked in. Saw you answer that overdraw question. Most first-years get it wrong. You didn't. Quiet, but you knew it."
I shifted, the book heavy in my lap. "So what? You think I'm hiding something?"
Elara's expression softened slightly. "Not hiding. Just... different. The academy's full of politics. Nobles like Taren Voss—they'll use anything to knock you down. And after the test... well, we figured you might need allies. Or at least someone to watch your back."
Lyra leaned in, her green eyes sparkling. "Yeah. I'm from a village like yours—commoner through and through. Climbed to Master rank on talent alone. It wasn't easy. Got bullied, ignored, the works. Elara here's my roommate—high noble, but she doesn't act like it. We stick together. If you're smart, you'll do the same."
I hesitated. Allies? Trust? After the carriage, after the test, that sounded like a trap. But their words rang true—no malice, just... practicality.
"Why me?" I asked again. "You don't know me."
Elara smiled faintly. "We know enough. Undefined means potential—or danger. And with the Aschenmoon coming, the academy's on edge. Rifts open more every year. We need people who can think, not just follow bloodlines."
Lyra added, "And honestly? Your hair's cool. Stands out in a good way. Not like Taren's fake confidence."
I almost smiled. Almost.
But the four eyes—now I knew who they were. And why.
"Thanks," I said. "For the warning. And the offer. I'll... think about it."
Elara nodded. "Fair enough. We're in the library most evenings if you change your mind. But be careful with that book—it's not just forbidden. It's cursed, some say."
They turned to leave, but Lyra glanced back. "Oh, and Eryndor? Those eyes you felt? Not just us. Watch your back, Okay?"
They disappeared into the shelves.
I sat there, book in lap, the chill fading but not gone.
Who else was watching?
I opened the book again, flipping to a deeper chapter. The page spoke of "eyes in the void"—watchers from the Abyss, drawn to anomalies in fate.
A chill crept up my spine. The runes on the page glowed faintly, almost pulsing.
Then the book shifted—ever so slightly—in my hands.
"D—Did it just move?"
Is this normal for a book?
What the fuck is going on here??
A chill crept up my Spine
When suddenly a faint but tired whispering voice rose from behind me, barely audible.
"You... should not be here, Eryndor."
I froze on the spot, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
….