As the group reached the shared workshops, the bustling sounds of adults and children talking greeted their ears.

  Ahead of them, hundreds of kids were already gathered, conversing together as the same representatives from the class came into view—eliciting a displeased groan from Meteora.

  _Why so many people? I wanna take a na—_

  Meteora saw Tori steal a glance at him, her eyes hopeful, which in turn made him uncomfortable.

  _Why is she looking at me like that? Man, I may not get to leave until I talk to someone._

  _How exhausting._

  As they moved closer, the loud conversations slowly turned into hushed whispers, glances shifting in his direction.

  “It’s the single-genre kid.”

  “Taurus still sees something in him?”

  “He’s like the lazy cat from the folklore of the SC.”

  The last comment caused some of the kids to giggle—whether they understood what was being said or not was unclear.

  Tori glanced at Meteora with concern while keeping a calm expression over her charges, only to see him yawn in boredom and exhaustion, clearly showing how little he cared.

  _Man, they need new material. I hear the same thing over and—_

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  His thoughts were interrupted as a sudden squeal rippled through the crowd.

  “It’s the sisters!”

  “They look so pretty!”

  “Isn’t one not a—oof!”

  “Shut it, idiot. No one cares!”

  Meteora looked toward the source of the commotion.

  Two girls who looked nothing alike approached, the emblem on their uniforms marking them as fifth graders.

  “Wait, they’re sisters?! They look—oof!”

  “Dude! They’re fraternal sisters!”

  “But how?! They’re… you know!”

  Curious about the whispers, Meteora glanced at them again, his eyes widening imperceptibly as realization hit him.

  One was a Noctyrr—her budding horns barely visible at her temples, a short, still-growing spade tail swaying happily from side to side as she chatted enthusiastically with her sister.

  The other was a Thalwyn. Her long, pointed ears marked her elven heritage, while her skin and hair carried a peaceful autumn palette—a stark contrast to her sister’s appearance.

  Meteora regarded them as interesting, nothing more, until another whisper rose above the rest.

  “Wait, aren’t their races always at each other’s throats? Shouldn’t they hate each other?”

  The words caused a hush to fall over the crowd. The sisters turned to face the speaker.

  The Noctyrr stepped forward first.

  “So what if we’re different races?” she said boldly. “We’re siblings through and through! Our mother is a Thalwyn—and I’m the older sister, so you should mind your manners!”

  The Thalwyn stepped beside her, her peaceful demeanor belying the intensity in her gaze.

  “Our father is Noctyrr. They love each other unconditionally, and we—as sisters—do the same.” She paused, then added evenly, “And you’re only older by a couple of minutes.”

  The supposed older sister laughed boisterously, and together they resumed walking toward their assigned area, passing Meteora’s group in the process.

  It only took a moment.

  Their eyes met.

  The Noctyrr reacted first.

  “Whoa! Who are you?!” she asked enthusiastically. “Did you just start practical today?!”

  Meteora groaned internally as she stepped closer.

  _There goes my peaceful nap._