It had only been three days since Jorik enrolled, but he already had a nickname: "The Blade That Bends Time."
Ceylan had become an inevitable presence—a rival in every sense. The two were constantly compared. Jorik with raw battle instincts and system-enhanced growth. Ceylan with elite training, technique, and tactical genius.
But surprisingly, the one who approached Jorik most often was Zarienne.
She didn't challenge him. Didn't worship him. She just… talked. Or rather, dragged him into absurd things.
> "You must drink this. It's Emberblossom Petal Tea from the highlands of Myr'Kareth. I steeped it at exactly 72.8 degrees."
Jorik blinked as she handed him a delicate porcelain cup in the research garden.
> "You'll offend the spirits of tea if you slurp," she warned seriously.
Jorik obeyed. It was… oddly good.
Then she led him to her research room, which looked like a bookshelf had exploded across the floor. Piles of scrolls, vials, glowing runes, and teacups littered every surface.
> "Sorry for the mess," she said without a trace of actual shame. "I was working on a theory about chrono-resonant artifacts."
She moved like a blur, picking up five different tools at once, muttering incantations, forgetting Jorik was even there.
He just sat down. Quiet. Watching her.
She was unlike anyone he'd met. Not just smart—brilliant. But also awkward. Kind. Earnest.
Zarienne finally collapsed into a chair, exhausted.
> "I can't handle running or sword drills," she admitted. "I'm useless in combat classes. But I'll be the first to reverse-engineer a time gear from a cursed ruin and serve tea at the same time."
Jorik cracked a smile.
> "You're not useless. Just… a different kind of strong."
She blinked at him. Blushed. Looked away.
> "T-thank you…"
---
📜 System Notification: Social Link Established
Zarienne Sieraya – Bond Level 1: Kindred Minds
Effect: +5% resistance to time-based debuffs when near Zarienne. Unlocks Research Collaboration Quests.
---
As the chapter closed, Jorik sat with a teacup in hand, surrounded by magical clutter and brilliant chaos. For the first time since his awakening, he didn't feel like an outsider.
He had a rival who sharpened his edge.
And a friend who stirred his soul.