Aethelos: The Bastard of Light

Joseph Ville Light remained silent for a few seconds, letting the weight of his words settle over the students. Then he opened a scroll and began reading the names in a clear, measured voice. · Group after group was called. Some students smiled in relief. Others exchanged worried glances. Eli felt his heart beating faster with every name that wasn’t his. The tension kept rising. · Finally, Joseph’s voice rang out again: · “Group Seven. Assigned tutor: Brock Rocket. · Students: Eli Cari, Yana of Terranova, and Lygar.” · A short but heavy silence fell over that part of the courtyard. · Eli felt dozens of eyes turn in his direction. Yana clenched her jaw. Lygar simply let out a low, almost irritated sigh. · Joseph continued without changing his tone: · “Brock Rocket will be your tutor for the first year. He was personally chosen by me to oversee this particular group. Follow his instructions.” · From the side of the platform, a man stepped forward. · Brock Rocket looked… ordinary. · Messy brown hair, slightly wrinkled uniform, slumped shoulders, and the expression of someone who hadn’t slept enough and adult in his 40s. He carried a folder under one arm and, when he approached the group, gave a tired, uncertain smile. · “So… you three, right?” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m Brock. I’ll try not to get in your way too much. If you need anything, just say so. I’ll… do my best.” · Lygar raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. · Yana watched him in silence, evaluating. · Eli, still shaken by the fact that they had been placed together, simply nodded. · Joseph Ville Light looked at Brock for a brief moment. The director’s gaze was calm, but there was a quiet respect in it — something most students didn’t notice. Brock lowered his head slightly in response, almost as if confirming a silent agreement. · “Group Seven, follow your tutor to the preparation room,” Joseph ordered. “The remaining groups will stay here.” · Brock made an awkward gesture with his hand. · “Let’s get going, then. I don’t want you to be late because of me.” · The three of them began following him in silence. · Eli walked a little behind. Yana kept her distance from both. Lygar went ahead, hands in his pockets, his expression cold. · None of them spoke. · But for the first time since the argument, they were forced to occupy the same space. · Up ahead, Brock stumbled slightly on a step and muttered a quiet “sorry.” · No one commented. · They still didn’t know it… but the man who seemed to need protection would be exactly the reason they would be forced to start looking at each other again.