Vel leaned against a stone wall in the courtyard, letting his body recover after the first assessment. Around him, several unstable attunement students had formed small groups, discussing their experiences and preparing for the next challenge.
Tomas approached Vel, nervousness evident in his fidgeting fingers.
"I'm... I'm not sure I'm ready for the Knowledge test," he admitted, his voice wavering slightly. "They say it covers magical theory that goes way beyond anything most preparatory schools even touch on."
"Written tests might actually work in our favor," Vel suggested. "No need to demonstrate anything, just explain the theory."
A slender girl with auburn hair—Mira, if Vel remembered correctly from their earlier introductions—joined their conversation.
"Theory's pointless for broken magic. I used to dismiss my doubts as needing more practice, but the artifact confirmed what I was afraid of. Understanding how fire works doesn't help when yours turns to smoke anyway."
"But understanding why it turns to smoke might," Vel countered. "The more we know about our limitations, the better we can work around them."
As the students continued their anxious discussion, movement near the courtyard's edge caught Vel's attention. Servants stood in a designated waiting area, ready to attend to their noble masters' needs. Among them—to Vel's surprise—stood Hileya, her silver twin braids distinctly visible.
Vel excused himself from the group and approached the servants' area. Hileya's eyes brightened upon seeing him.
"Hileya?" he asked. "I thought you'd be at the lodging."
"Many servants attend testing days to assist their masters between assessments," she said, bowing. "I could serve you better here than remaining idle at the lodgings. Should you need anything..."
The other servants stared. One dropped her gaze when Vel looked her way. Another pretended to adjust his uniform while watching from the corner of his eye.
"Are you managing well, Master Velarian?" Hileya's voice carried across the silent area.
"I'm fine, and you can drop the 'master' thing," he replied, stepping closer.
A butler's eyebrows rose in judgment. An older maid's lips pursed in disapproval—all eyes on Hileya like she'd committed some grave error. Hileya's fingers twisted her apron, trapped between Vel's approach and their condemning stares.
Vel noticed a strand of silver hair had slipped forward, partially revealing Hileya's slightly pointed ear. Without thinking, he reached up and gently tucked the strand behind her ear, his fingers lingering just long enough to ensure the ear was properly concealed.
"Be careful," he murmured. "Some people here might not be kind about..." he trailed off, not needing to finish the thought.
The gesture, done without a second thought, had drawn the attention of every servant within view. The area went dead silent. A young maid shook her head in disgust. The butler's face hardened with scandalized disapproval. All directed at Hileya.
Hileya went rigid, pink flooding her cheeks. "Thank you, young master." Her voice barely carried, shoulders hunching as if expecting a blow.
Around them, servants exchanged knowing looks. Poor training, their expressions said. Doesn't know her place. One maid clicked her tongue softly at Hileya's apparent failure.
Vel stepped back, finally noticing their judgment—but not understanding it was aimed at her, not him.
"I should return to my group," Vel said, stepping back to restore the proper distance between them. "Will you be here after the Knowledge test as well?"
YOU ARE READING
GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation
FantasyWhen renowned game developer Giri meets his untimely end, he awakens as twelve-year-old Vel in the magical realm of Aeonalus-his own creation. Five hundred years have passed since he crafted the world, and Vel finds himself in the village of Oakhave...
