After saying goodbye to Rowen, Dan went back to his dorm. He was tired, but his mind was still full of the day's events. He opened the door quietly, thinking the room would be empty... He was surprised to see someone sitting by the window, reading a book in the moonlight.
The Stranger (without taking his eyes off the book):
"At one point, I was thinking I'd be spending the night by myself."
His roommate was a young man who didn't say much. He had light brown hair and gray eyes that looked like fog on a cloudy day. He was wearing his academy robes, but they were a bit rumpled, like he wasn't too concerned with how he looked.
Dan pipes up and asks
"You're my new partner, right?"
The young man closed the book and smiled slightly as he looked over at Dan.
"The Stranger:"
"Yeah, I'm Cain. "And you're Dan, with a reputation that's... interesting."
Cain's tone wasn't sarcastic or hostile, but neutral, like he was just stating a fact.
"If you're hearing rumors, it's best to keep them to yourself." Dan said, kinda casually.
Cain let out a little laugh.
"Don't worry, I'm not interested in rumors. "I'm into rare elements , and I think you are too."
Cain lifted his hand, and a swirl of sand appeared around it. It looked like it was alive, swaying back and forth.
"Elemental sand... "It's not as strong as blood, but it could come in handy for defense."
"I think we'd get along well, Dan. "Especially since we're same
Dan didn't say anything, but he was curious. Was Cain trying to imply something, or was he just trying to break the ice?
Noticing dan's confusion, he laid back down on the bed
"The sand element requires the presence of sand to move it, it's true that it's not as demanding as blood, but it's annoying to carry bags of sand with you wherever you go. By the way, if you want to practice at night, I don't mind the noise... as long as you don't burn the room down."
Dan laughed through his nose. This partner might not be as bad as he seemed.
After a few moments of silence, Cain put his books on the shelf and then smiled slightly at Dan.
By the way, did you hear about the test tomorrow?
Dan raised an eyebrow, not really sure what the other person was talking about.
"What kind of test?"
Cain laughed, as if anticipating his reaction.
"You got it... You missed it because you were too busy practicing. Ms. Serena said that tomorrow's test is going to be a two-person drill.
Dan said under his breath.
"Two people?"
He didn't have any close friends at the academy except for Marlin, but he wasn't sure if he'd be available.
Cain leaned against the wall.
"I've already found someone to team up with."
Dan felt a wave of frustration wash over him. Even Cain, who'd only shown up that day, already had an ally.
Dan shot back, trying not to look too annoyed.
"Is that all you've got to say? "Just to give me a heads-up that I'm on my own?"
Cain laughed a little.
"Nah, I don't think that's an issue. You can just send any of the students to team up with you."
"Cain, you know about my reputation, right?"
"No need for all the negativity. I'm sure you'll find someone eventually... maybe."
Dan spread out to Cain, looking for a hit.
Cain laughed lightly, then pointed to a device that looked like a flat, silver-colored phone on the small table beside him.
"did you get your own personal communicator yet?"
Dan blinked in surprise:
"The communicator?"
Cain nodded:
"Absolutely, everyone gets one when they sign up. You can send requests or messages to any student, especially when you need to form teams or exchange information. It's really useful, especially in situations like this."
Dan pulled the device out of his bag. He'd received it when he enrolled, but he hadn't really paid attention to it.
"Simple to use." Cain explained as he opened the device's interface:
Just click on the 'Create Team' option and then select a student.
Dan looked at the screen, and a list of names popped up. He didn't recognize most of them. He let out a sigh, then started moving his finger around, trying to think of a good name.
"Just don't click on any random names..." Cain chuckled.
Unfortunately for him, before Cain could finish his sentence, Dan's finger slipped and he accidentally clicked on a familiar name.
(Submitted to: Ellen Hartner)
Dan stopped moving. He blinked twice, then looked at the screen, totally shocked.
"No, no, no, no... not Ellen!" Dan said in a panic.
Cain raised an eyebrow, amused by the scene:
"Man, looks like you got yourself in real trouble this time."
Dan covered his face with his hand as he imagined Ellen's reaction when she saw his name.
Cain, who seemed to be really enjoying it, said with a playful grin:
"Well, it was great getting to know you, Dan Noctane. I'll be sure to attend your funeral."
Dan let out a sigh, clearly annoyed.
"Go to hell! Can't the order be canceled or something?"
Cain looked at him, trying not to laugh, and said:
"Actually, it can be canceled. All you have to do is..."
But before Cain could finish, writing appeared on the screen:
"Your request has been accepted."
Dan and Cain were both frozen, staring at the screen.
Then Cain, trying to keep it together, said, "I was joking about the funeral... but now I'm not so sure."
Dan kept staring at the device, his face pale as if he'd seen a ghost.
He muttered under his breath:
"This can't be true... what have I done with my life to deserve this?"
Cain started to say something, but Dan cut him off.
"Shut up."
Cain raised his hands in surrender and said:
"There's no need to worry. Even if she wanted to hurt you, she couldn't kill you inside the academy. The most she'll do is break a few bones.
Dan sat on his bed, like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, while Cain kept making sarcastic comments, enjoying every second of his new classmate's torment.
"At least this will be a valuable learning experience." Cain said, stretching out on his bed.
Dan didn't say anything, just threw the device to the side like touching it would be worse.
They sat in silence for a while, just the sound of their breathing and the light wind from the window filling the room.
Dan muttered under his breath, staring at the ceiling:
"It's only been two days, and it feels like my life is already coming to an end."
Cain smiled and said in a playful tone:
"Just think positive, my friend. This could be a simple misunderstanding."
Dan stared at him like he was looking at an idiot:
"A misunderstanding? With Ellen Hartner?"
Cain just gave a casual shrug, like he was used to it.
"Well... maybe a painful misunderstanding."
Then he added in a slightly more serious tone:
"I suggest you get ready. Even if Ellen isn't usually hostile, she won't go easy on someone she thinks is worthless."
Dan raised his eyebrows, feeling a double weight on his chest. He didn't know much about Ellen except that she came from a powerful family and was exceptionally talented.
"Shit..." Dan whispered.
Then he suddenly lifted his head and said firmly:
"It doesn't matter. Even if she hates me, I'll show her I'm not who she thinks I am."
Cain smiled as if he had found something interesting, and slowly clapped his hands:
"Finally, you're showing some fight in your soul. I was worried you'd simply give up."
Dan gave a little smile and closed his eyes. He was trying to rest up before tomorrow.