The school bell rang loudly, signaling the end of the day's lessons. The once-quiet building, filled only with focused concentration, slowly turned lively with the sound of footsteps as students rushed out of their classrooms. At 3:40 p.m., the school yard was already filled with chatter and laughter.
Theo and Alvano stood up from their seats, exchanging a quick glance before hurrying out early. They still had something important to do — a training session to help Alvano control his power, something they had agreed on that morning.
"Hurry up, don't take too long," Theo said, patting Alvano lightly on the back.
Alvano gave a small nod and followed. The two disappeared from sight before Joshua could catch up.
Joshua, still packing his bag, could only watch them leave. Deep down, he felt a little disappointed — he'd hoped they could go home together. But then he smiled faintly, realizing they probably had something else to take care of.
"Typical… just disappearing like that," he muttered softly.
The classroom was nearly empty now, only three students left, including Joshua himself. He wasn't in a hurry, taking his time to fold his books and place them neatly in his bag.
Then came the sound of footsteps from the hallway — unfamiliar ones. Not the casual shuffle of a student, but slow, deliberate steps. The sound of shoes echoed faintly against the floor, followed by a soft voice.
"Class 10-B… where is it…"
Moments later, a boy with light brown hair appeared in the doorway. He stood there calmly, sharp eyes observing the room, though his face carried a relaxed expression.
Joshua glanced toward the door, narrowing his eyes curiously. The boy looked vaguely familiar, though Joshua couldn't recall where he'd seen him before.
He stood and approached the stranger cautiously. "Can I help you?" he asked politely but with a hint of caution.
The boy turned his head and smiled faintly. His gaze was piercing, but there was no hostility in it. He looked around the nearly empty classroom before speaking in a calm tone.
"Ah, no… I just wanted to make sure of something," he said, bowing slightly in courtesy.
Then he raised an eyebrow. "By any chance, is there a student in this class… black hair, gloomy face, about your height?"
Joshua frowned. That description was obvious. "You mean… Alvano?"
The boy only gave a slow nod, not confirming it outright. Joshua's curiosity deepened. "What do you want with him?"
The boy chuckled softly. "Oh, nothing serious. I just heard about him. Sounds… interesting."
His tone was casual, evasive even. Without saying more, he stepped back slowly.
"Thanks for your time," he said, waving briefly before walking off.
Joshua watched his back disappear down the hallway, the curiosity still heavy in his mind.
At the far end of the hall, a girl was waiting. Smaller in stature, her hair neatly tied back, her calm face betraying a glimmer of curiosity.
As the brown-haired boy approached, she looked at him expectantly. "Well? Did you find him?" she asked quietly.
He nodded with a faint smile. "His name's Alvano."
Her eyes lit up. "Finally, we know his name."
The two walked side by side, their voices soft and indistinct from afar — but their expressions made it clear the information meant something important.
At the same time, Joshua stepped out of the classroom toward the lockers. As he walked down the hall, he caught sight of the two figures leaving — and immediately recognized the girl.
"Wait… isn't that Amelia?" he muttered. Amelia — one of Velmont High's student council members, well-known for her sharp mind and calm but intimidating aura.
Seeing her with that boy only deepened his unease. "What business do they have with Alvano…?" he whispered. A strange feeling stirred in his chest — like something was about to change.
Meanwhile, Alvano and Theo had arrived at Alvano's house — a modest but warm home with a small front yard. It wasn't luxurious, but it radiated comfort and peace. As the door opened, the faint scent of aged wood and herbal tea filled the air.
An elderly man stood in the doorway, greeting his grandson with a gentle smile. His hair was completely white, his back slightly bent, but his eyes remained sharp and dignified. This was Alvano's grandfather — the man who had raised him since childhood.
"You're home, Alvano," he said warmly. But his gaze quickly shifted to Theo, standing beside his grandson. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to recall the face before him.
Theo bowed politely. "Good afternoon, Grandpa."
The old man nodded, smiling faintly. "Theo… it's been a long time. I can hardly believe how much you've grown."
Alvano, who was taking off his shoes, turned in surprise. "Grandpa… you know Theo?"
"Of course," his grandfather replied softly, eyes still on Theo. "He used to come here when you two were in middle school. You didn't talk much, but I remember him clearly."
Theo scratched his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, I remember this house too… though it looks a bit different now."
Alvano looked a little awkward. "I'll go change, Grandpa."
"Go ahead," his grandfather said with a small wave.
Once Alvano went upstairs, the old man invited Theo to sit at the dining table. He poured a cup of hot tea and slid it over. The house was quiet, save for the ticking of the wall clock.
"I often worry about Alvano," the old man began softly. "He keeps too much to himself. Last semester, he became even quieter… I fear he's drifting further away from people."
Theo nodded slowly. "I understand, Grandpa. But lately… he's starting to open up a little. Even today, he laughed during class. We ate together too."
The old man's eyes softened, filled with emotion. "I'm glad… If you can truly be his friend, I'm grateful. Help him, Theo. Help him find his own world."
Theo looked up, eyes firm with sincerity. "I will, Grandpa. I want to see him grow into his best self."
A relieved smile formed on the old man's face, as though a weight had lifted from his heart. "Thank you, Theo. Your presence will mean a lot to him."
Not long after, Alvano came back downstairs in more comfortable clothes. He glanced between his grandfather and Theo, noticing how at ease they seemed with each other. But he didn't think much of it — it was time to begin their training.