For a while after Luca's question, neither of them spoke immediately.
The evening atmosphere around the academy had grown calmer now, the golden hues of sunset gradually deepening into softer shades as the sky slowly shifted toward night. The pathways beneath their feet stretched quietly ahead while distant student voices occasionally echoed from farther parts of the campus, muted enough to feel almost peaceful rather than noisy.
Sylthara walked silently beside Luca, her silver hair swaying gently with the breeze while her golden eyes remained fixed ahead, thoughtful and distant as though carefully searching through emotions she was not entirely used to putting into words.
Luca did not rush her.
He simply walked beside her quietly.
Eventually—
Sylthara spoke.
"…It's very different," she said softly.
Her voice carried neither complaint nor excitement.
Only honesty.
"The Dark Elf clans within the Elven Forest are… quiet places."
