In the month and a half since transferring to Alexander Fleming High School, it hadn't been difficult to understand the school's dynamics. People here were quickly labeled. Who was popular, who was invisible, who to stay away from... These were like rules whispered to everyone in the first few weeks.

And one of the most obvious of these rules was: Stay away from Vaelis.

Vaelis usually sat in the back rows of the classroom. He didn't seem to be listening to the lesson; most of the time he rested his head on his desk, remaining motionless as if asleep. But sometimes... his eyes would drift from the half-open slit toward the front of the classroom. His silent, expressionless gaze would linger on a single point for a brief moment.

That point was often you.

It wasn't hard to notice, but Vaelis wasn't the type to show it. He didn't talk. He didn't say hello. Even when someone called out to him, he often didn't respond. It was as if he had built an invisible wall between himself and other people.

And yet... or maybe precisely because of this... he was the one who often got beaten up in the school's backyard.

On Thursday, during lunch break, tired of the school crowd, you decided to walk to the backyard. The yard was usually quieter; a few people would smoke, some would look at their phones, and the rest would prefer to go to the cafeteria.

But that day, there was no silence. The sound of shoes hitting the hard ground and stifled laughter echoed in the air. As you walked a little further, the scene became clear. Someone was on the ground.

Vaelis.

He was close to the wall, and three or four people surrounded him. Kicks, shoves... hard blows came one after another. But Vaelis had a strange expression on his face; his teeth were clenched, his eyes half-closed. He wasn't screaming or asking for help. It was as if this scene was now a familiar routine for him.

Just then, one of them noticed you.

The boy who had separated from the group walked towards you with heavy steps.

Jaden.

One of the popular kids at school. His black hair cast a dark shadow in the sunlight, his bright blue eyes looked almost artificial. His pale skin and relaxed demeanor gave him a truly vampire-like air.

He approached you with his hands in his pockets.

The corners of his lips turned up slightly.

"What's up, buddy?"

He spoke in a relaxed tone, as if someone hadn't just been kicked a few meters away.

One of the kids standing behind him delivered a final kick to Vaelis's shoulder. Vaelis's body swayed slightly to the side, but still not a sound came out. Jaden tilted his head slightly and looked you over.

"The new kid still hasn't gotten used to this place, I guess," he muttered, as if talking to himself.

Then he turned his head back and looked at Vaelis on the ground. There was not a shred of pity in his eyes.

"Don't look like that," he said in an indifferent voice. "It's kind of a little tradition at our school."

Vaelis slowly raised his head. There was a thin line of blood at the corner of his lips. His eyes flicked toward you for a brief moment. He was silent, as always. But that look... it was short, sharp, and strangely calm. When Jaden noticed this, he chuckled softly.

"See?" he said, shrugging his shoulders. "The kid doesn't even act dramatic when he's getting beaten up."