[Ruvian’s POV]

The next day, the morning break had just begun when Ruvian noticed a figure approaching his classroom, waiting just beyond the doors.

She stood with an easy confidence, her posture straight but relaxed. Her flowing ash-brown hair was artfully braided along the side of her head, the plait wrapping like a delicate crown before gathering into a loose, curled ponytail that caught the morning light. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Her soft hazel eyes scanned the row of scholars leaving the class. The moment she spotted him, a subtle, cold yet courteous smile appeared on her face.

"Excuse me."

Ruvian didn’t need to look up to know she was addressing him, but he did anyway.

"Yes?"

"I hope I’m not disturbing your break, you’re Ruvian, right?"

The moment she approached him, and more so, the fact that she already knew his name, was more than enough.

Ruvian could already guess who she was, and more importantly, why she had come to meet him.

Not only that, but the faint aura she carried, the subtle flow of mana around her, quietly revealed the strength of someone who stood above him.

Of course, Ruvian was no stranger to that sort of presence.

Lately, he had been spending far too much time around someone who embodied that very same overwhelming strength.

Because of that, he could tell that this woman in front of him was strong.

’She’s probably from Class A.’

’And she’s probably a member of my squad for the Vazrun Island test.’

However, Ruvian decided to play along and acted ignorant.

He replied flatly, his gaze stayed on her.

"No, you’re not disturbing anything. And yes, that’s me."

"Anyway, what do you want from me?"

Hearing Ruvian respond, the girl lightly smiled — no, not just lightly, but like that strange, composed confidence as though she had already measured him from head to toe.

Then, she said, almost casually.

"So the rumors were true... you are the cold scholar from Class E said to possess the ball of steel." The woman slightly laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. "Though I doubt you are aware of the name people have begun calling you of late."

’Huh?’

Ruvian’s mind suddenly tripped, stumbled, and for a moment completely lost its footing.

Of course, he was confused. That much was expected. But more than anything... far, far more than anything... he was utterly shocked.

Because what the hell was that even supposed to mean?

Why would there ever be a rumour calling him to have a ’ball of steel’?

Such a ludicrous title to be given!

And more importantly... since when? Since when did such a ridiculous, absurd, completely unhinged rumor start spreading around the academy.

’Ah, whatever... why should I care?’

No, more than that... why did she say it so casually?

The more he thought about it, the worse it became. In the end, despite everything, his curiosity still clawed its way to the surface.

Yeah, he was intrigued to know more.

Ruvian frowned, as he forced the simplest possible response out.

"...What did you mean by that?"

The woman smiled again, as if his confusion was something she had already anticipated and accounted for.

A small laugh slipped from her lips.

"Ah, forgive me," she said, though the apology lacked any real sense of regret. "Of course you wouldn’t know. It’s not the kind of rumor that reaches beyond Class A."

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze never leaving him.

"You see, I wasn’t in the same hall as you during the joint practice session between Class A and Class E," she continued. "So everything I know about you comes from those who were present in the same hall as you."

Her smile deepened, just a fraction, almost provoking.

"And if I may say..." she added, her tone dipping slightly, "the rumors surrounding you are quite... extraordinary."

Ruvian restrained the urge to sigh.

’So it was about that...’

’Well, if so, such a thing is bound to happen.’

The woman extended her hand in a polite gesture for a handshake.

"Anyway, my name is Yerin. I’m from Class A, and I’m part of our squad for the Vazrun Island Test. If I’m being honest, I’ve been quite curious to come and see you by myself, Ruvian."

Ruvian looked at her hand for a short moment, as if thinking about it, before lifting his gaze back to her face, keeping his expression neutral.

"I see, so you are Yerin," he replied, his tone simple and flat.

"Then, thanks for coming to see me."

He reached out and shook her hand, then he let go without holding it longer than needed.

Yerin’s smile stayed, then without hesitation, she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Actually," she said, her voice lowering just a little, "I did not come here just to see you and leave."

Ruvian remained still, his expression unchanged, yet inwardly, there was no surprise, not even a trace of it.

He had been expecting this.

From the very beginning, he had known.

The academy had arranged for an early morning break across most classes, and it was far from happenstance.

Rather, it was an unstated directive that any scholar with even a modicum of awareness could easily discern it.

Its purpose was evident — to compel interaction and to ensure newly formed squads would gather, converse, and begin their ’ice breaking’ session before being thrown into the unforgiving conditions of the Vazrun Island test.

Virtually everyone had already responded to it, already attempted a few conversations, all striving, in their own imperfect ways, to bridge the unfamiliar distance between them.

Therefore, Ruvian knew that sooner or later, someone from his team would come to him.

And here she was.

Yerin removed her hand from his shoulder and stood straight again.

"Anyway, I want to invite you to have breakfast with us at the dining hall. The rest of our squad members will be there."

She paused for a moment, watching him closely.

"I have already invited everyone yesterday. You are the last one."

There was a slight smile on her lips.

"I thought it would be a good chance for us to get to know each other before the test starts. I have already reserved a table for us... so, if you are free, I would appreciate it if you join."

Ruvian studied her briefly.

It was a simple offer and there was no reason to refuse.

"Thanks for inviting me, sure. I’m free."

Yerin’s smile widened slightly, as if checking off a step in her plan.

"Great. We’re heading there now. You can come whenever you’re ready."

With that, she turned, her movements composed and measured, then disappearing into the hallway.

Ruvian went to the washroom first before following suit.

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[Chapter 132: Chaos in the Dining Hall (1)]