The freshmen entered the canopy hall amidst a chorus of calls.
Professors on the seats and students between the long tables welcomed them with applause.
Lu Li stood quietly at the edge of the hall, as if isolated from the clamor, unnoticed and unremarkable.
Sweeping over every smiling, cheering, and excited face in the hall.
Not here.
Lu Li walked towards the hall exit, pressing against the large door and pushing it open slowly.
The Gatekeeper Elder, whose cloak billowed like a brown bat skimming the ground, led the lower-grade students past the corridor. Lu Li followed them, breaking into the platform extending from the tree trunk level.
Eyeballs with wings floated in the air, their pupils emitting a glow slightly brighter than fluorite, drifting in groups like fragmented moons veiled by broken clouds.
The lower-grade students huddled together like quail, too afraid to scatter.
Lu Li stepped out of the parade, observing each student's and professor's face and form.
