Michael squinted, slowing his pace.
Yeah. That's her.
Claire.
The same person who he had met at the Vivum Academy, and the same person who taught him the basics of mana.
Her black hair was tied in a simple ponytail, and she wore a navy uniform that barely resembled the academy robes he remembered. But her face? Focused. Calm. Her eyes scanned the crowd like she was on patrol.
He stepped to the side and gestured to the others. "Wait here. I'll be back."
They didn't argue.
Michael pushed forward, weaving through the people until he was close enough to call out.
"Claire."
She turned at once, eyes narrowing. A flash of confusion crossed her face, then recognition.
"Michael?"
He nodded.
Claire crossed her arms. "You're alive."
"Wasn't planning to die just yet."
"You disappeared," she said flatly. "Everyone thought you were gone for good. And now I find you walking around in the middle of a foreign city in some random world?"
"It's been a weird few years."
