Chronicles Of The Obsidian Heir

"Alright, you bunch of misfits," the voice sliced through the classroom like a knife. The students immediately straightened up, or at least pretended to.

At the front stood a woman in her early thirties, her coat half-on as if she hadn't quite finished getting ready. Her sharp gaze lazily swept across the room before she snapped her fingers once. "Eyes front."

A few murmurs and chuckles bubbled up, but silence quickly settled back in.

She dropped her bag onto the desk and finally spoke with some authority. "Now, before we dive in... we have a new addition to our esteemed little corner of mediocrity."

The students whispered with curiosity, heads turning as she gestured to the back. 

"Blackthorne. Stand up."

All eyes were on me, my left hand resting on my face, just waiting for the session to kick off.

I had no choice but to stand up slowly.

"…Sylvester Alric Blackthorne," I said in a flat tone. No bow, no wave—just my name.

"Honestly, there's not much else to say because I'm really nothing special."

The room fell into a brief silence, and then a few scattered claps erupted, more awkward than genuine.

The teacher raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained.

"Right. That's… efficient," she remarked. "You can call me Ms. Remira. I'm your homeroom teacher and the one you'll probably blame the most when your grades start to slip."

She turned her attention back to me.

"Do you have your keycard, dorm information, welcome packet, and your initial funds?"

I nodded once. "All set."

"Good." She twirled around. "Now take a seat before I forget you're not a troublemaker… yet."

The class chuckled softly as I settled into my chair.

The day seemed to stretch on forever. What started as new student introductions quickly turned into a monotonous routine. So, when the final bell finally rang, I made my way to the dorms all by myself.

I located his room, swiped the keycard, and stepped inside.

It was small, but it had everything I needed.

There was a kitchen area with some old appliances, a cozy main room featuring a bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a TV mounted on the wall. In the corner, a narrow closet stood, and a bathroom was tucked away near the entrance.

I tossed his bag onto the bed and let the silence wash over me. It was... livable.

"So, this is my new life, huh?"

The classroom was alive with chatter and inside jokes, with friend groups already forming and cliques clearly on display.

I found myself sitting alone at my desk, just observing. I know it's only my fourth day here, but I still hadn't made a single friend. I think it all goes back to that cringe-worthy introduction I had.

To my left, Elise was also sitting by herself, scrolling through her tablet and munching on a granola bar. No eye contact, no greetings exchanged.

"You eat alone like it's your job," I said, still not looking her way.

She let out a snort. "Says the guy with zero social skills."

"The difference is, I don't pretend to care."

She shot me a sideways glance. "Keep talking, and I might start thinking you're lonely."

"Keep talking, and I might think you're trying to bond."

We exchanged a subtle look before both of us turned away, caught in a quiet stalemate.

I decided to get up and head toward the cafeteria.

Just outside the classroom door, I heard, "Um, your name is Sylvester, right?"

He paused for a moment.

A girl with amber eyes and fluffy brown hair rushed up to him.

"Oh, you must be Delilah, right?"

"You remembered my name!" she said, smiling and slightly out of breath. "I didn't even say it."

I nodded. "Photographic memory."

"Well... good. Listen, can I talk to you?"

I sighed internally but motioned for her to continue.

"It's about Elise. I saw you sitting next to her. I tried to be friends with her once, but she shut me down. Didn't even give me her number."

I shrugged. "Maybe she just likes being alone."

"She's always alone," Delilah insisted. "No one talks to her. She could at least make an effort—"

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I don't know. You seemed like... someone who'd understand. Could you maybe try? Like... just talk to her?"

I fell silent for a moment.

Then I said, "…I'll think about it."

The teacher droned on at the board, but barely half the class was paying attention. Phones were out, heads were down, and some were even openly asleep.

Only five of us were still focused: Me, Elise, and three others.

Then the bell rang.

"Read over Chapters 2–4. Or don't. It's your funeral," Mrs. Remira said, strolling out without a second thought.

Elise rolled her eyes. "Pathetic. This class is a joke. She doesn't even care that they're slacking off."

I slowly packed up my bag. "Why waste energy on people who've already given up on themselves?"

She paused, giving me a curious look.

"…You're not like them, are you?"

I stood up. "Come with me."

Elise squinted. "Where to?"

"Just a place. It's full of girls, loud, not really your scene. But they do have decent coffee."

"…That's the worst pitch I've ever heard."

"And yet you're still considering it."

After a moment, she stood up. "Fine. But I'm out of there the moment someone calls me 'cute.'"

"That's honestly the lamest excuse to leave I've ever heard."

Elise just scoffed and got up from her chair.

The café was packed. Laughter and music filled the air, and conversations blended into a wall of noise.

"Is this place always this crowded?" Elise asked.

"Of course it is. Oh right, you're a loner."

"Trying to twist my words, huh? What a child."

I spotted a two-seater in the corner and slid in.

I returned with two cups. "If anyone sees us, they'll think we're a couple."

Elise shot me a glare. "Try that line again and I'm out."

"…Friends it is," I muttered.

We sipped our drinks in silence for a moment, then:

"Hey!"

Delilah popped up at the edge of the table, grinning.

"Oh hey, Elise! I didn't know you were—"

But Elise was already on her feet, coffee in hand, her expression hard.

"Don't."

"Elise, I just—"

She didn't wait. Elise turned and walked out the café doors, disappearing into the crowd.

Delilah looked at Sylvester, bewildered.

"What did I say…?"

I just stared down into