Lost in her animated recounting of Elara's demonstration, Zalu wasn't watching where she was going. Suddenly, a smaller figure collided with her, sending a cascade of books and papers tumbling from their grasp.
"Oh, no! I'm so sorry!" Zalu exclaimed, immediately dropping to her knees to help gather the scattered items. Papers fluttered around them like startled birds.
Elara, witnessing the minor chaos, simply stepped to the side, allowing them space to collect the mess. As she watched them, her mind drifted, making detached observations. Anya is so small, she mused, her gaze lingering on the petite girl with wide, flustered eyes. It's like she's a hamster with how cute she is. Compared to Zalu, who looks like a Leopard – all vibrant energy and quick movements.
A fleeting, uncharacteristic thought crossed her mind. If this were one of those sentimental narratives, this would probably be the moment they lock eyes and fall in love.
She subtly framed the scene with her hands, a detached observer capturing a mental image. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod to herself.
Anya, finally looking up, realized Elara was watching her. Her pale face flushed crimson, resembling a ripe tomato, and she nervously tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear. "M-Miss Dlamini," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper, "I-I am so incredibly sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."
"Oh, don't worry about it!" Zalu replied, her own face showing concern. "It was my fault too. I wasn't paying attention, I was too busy talking."
Anya's gaze flickered back to Elara, but Elara was now looking at Zalu, her expression neutral. A hint of disappointment flickered across Anya's flushed face.
Zalu, having gathered most of the papers, made small talk with Anya. "Where were you headed?" she asked with a friendly smile.
To Anya's surprise, Elara was still standing there, a silent sentinel waiting for Zalu. These guys are pretty smart...
Elara thought to herself, recalling their academic rankings. Number two and number four. Why am I still standing here?
She fixed a calm but subtly annoyed gaze on Zalu. How long will this conversation take? Zalu sure does like to talk.
"I was on my way to the library," Anya replied softly, still slightly flustered.
"Oh, the library! I was just heading to Advanced Spellcraft with Elara." Zalu said.
Anya's gaze flickered back to Elara, who was now looking at Zalu with a neutral expression. A hint of longing crossed Anya's flushed face as she spoke, her voice gaining a touch of excitement. "Oh, Advanced Spellcraft is a wonderful class, I hear! The curriculum is so rigorous, delving into the very fabric of arcane manipulation. Unfortunately," her gaze shifted back to Elara, a touch of sadness entering her eyes, "my own magick is quite… inferior, so I didn't qualify for entry. My spells are simply not potent enough, lacking that fundamental connection to the raw energies. But I'm trying really hard to improve! Which is why I gathered all these books – I'm hoping to find some techniques to enhance my abilities!"
She continued, her words tumbling out in a rush, "I've been studying the theories of elemental convergence and trying to understand the flow of terrestrial energies, but it's just not the same, is it? Not like the… the celestial magick you demonstrated earlier, Miss A'Royale. That was truly breathtaking, the way you drew power from the stars themselves! It made the simple magick we practice seem so… limited."
Suddenly, Anya's eyes widened as she noticed Elara's steady, intent gaze fixed upon her. A flush of embarrassment washed over her as she clapped a hand over her mouth. "O-oh! I-I've been talking so much! I-I'm so sorry, Miss A'Royale and Miss Dlamini."
Anya then turned back to Zalu, her voice laced with formality, "Again, I apologize for bumping into you."
"Please," Zalu said, her brow furrowing slightly, "just call me Zalu."
Anya shook her head, her blush deepening. "Oh, I couldn't possibly do that, Miss Dlamini. I am merely a commoner. I have no right to address a noble by their given name."