August 1st — 8:00 AM | Café
Sunlight poured through the tall glass windows of the campus café, casting warm reflections off coffee cups and silver cutlery. At the high table near the window, Aria and Kairon sat sipping quietly, while just below them at a corner booth, Riven and Meira sat with half-finished pastries and steaming mugs.
Riven leaned back with a relaxed smile.
"We're in a new term," he said, raising his cup. "Let's work twice as hard as before."
Aria nodded. "We have to. If we want to reach Class S, even a single mistake could cost us everything."
"I'm just glad the last test is over," Meira muttered. "But I still don't get it. What was the point of that 'Silent Negotiation' test? It felt like we were thrown into chaos with no explanation."
Everyone exchanged glances. Then, with a soft clink, Kairon set his cup down.
His eyes stared into the swirling liquid.
"Communication is a weapon," he said quietly. "Some wield it like a scalpel. Others… like a brick."
