Atticus and Kael walked in tandem through the expansive garden, both taking in the sights of the towering buildings and beautiful surroundings.
Once again, Atticus couldn't help but be amazed at the architectural beauty of places in the human domain.
He had continuously told himself that he would take time to travel about and visit many places around the human domain, well, as long as Anastasia allowed, of course.
But every time he started training, he just wouldn't want to stop.
'It's amazing.'
Just like from the interior, the exterior was also made of see through glass. Atticus could see some students walking through the hallways in the building.
Turning towards his right, Atticus could also see Kael looking at the beautiful structures. Although his expression was currently neutral, Atticus could tell he was enjoying the view.
They both admired the sights as they moved through the garden, and just like when they had come out of the elevator, both of them received looks from the other students in the garden.
Unlike the worn out looks of the students in the hall, each of the students in the garden looked slightly older, more relaxed, clean, and well dressed. It was obvious that they were all in the second or third years.
It wasn't surprising that both of them were getting these looks; it was precisely the higher years that had witnessed the fight between the duo, so it was kind of expected.
Apart from the Vermore family youth, another youth had approached them as they moved through the garden. But Atticus had been a little more welcoming to this youth.
And this was simply because he was also a Ravenstein.
Hogan Ravenstein, the leader of the Ravenstein youths in the second year.
Hogan was quite... long.
He was light skinned and had unusually long legs and arms. Atticus had always been taller than those in his age range and even higher, but this youth had been able to match his height and even subtly surpass it.
Hogan had been very respectful when speaking with Atticus, but unlike Zelas, he hadn't bowed down to Kael.
He was, of course, among those Atticus had rescued at the Raven camp.
After a few seconds of talking, Atticus and Kael continued their exploration.
All around the garden, there were only students roaming around. There were no shops, no stores, not even a single recreational activity in sight.
It was as if the academy was trying to discourage students from having fun and simply relaxing.
'But damn they must really mean business. I mean, not even a single restaurant?' Atticus couldn't help but think.
And after roaming around for a few minutes, just as they were both about to call it a day, Atticus suddenly spotted the figure of a white haired girl he knew all too well.
'Ember!'
There was simply no mistaking that Snow White hair tied to a ponytail behind her.
She was currently walking together with 2 other people who seemed to be trying to talk to her.
She completely ignored them and kept walking away, but they were persistent and kept following her. Her aloof face was already showing a trace of annoyance.
Atticus narrowed his eyes slightly and instantly changed the direction he and Kael were moving in, heading towards them.
"Lady Ember, I implore you to please consider my offer. I believe it would tremendously benefit you," one of the two individuals who were currently following her said to Ember.
But as usual, he got no response, just the sight of Ember not even turning to face him as she kept walking forward.
Just as he was about to speak once more,
"Ember!" Atticus suddenly called out from behind as he approached the trio.
As the boy was about to turn and see who dared to interrupt his moment, his whole form froze as he saw a sight he never thought possible, not in this life at least.
Ember smiling.
He would have still been astonished if she was facing the caller and smiling, but what was most shocking was the fact that she hadn't even turned yet; it was as though only the voice of this person was enough to bring a smile to her face.
He swiftly turned back to look at who the caller was and was met with the figure of Atticus with a smiling expression and Kael with an expressionless figure approaching them.
'Aren't they..' he instantly recognized both of them.
But before he could react, he was met with another scene that shocked him to the core once again.
A cold glint couldn't help but pass through his eyes as he saw the figures of Atticus and Ember hugging with both of them smiling.
But just as quickly, he got his expression back to normal, replacing his frown with a smile.
"I've missed you, Ember! How are you?" Atticus inquired with genuine warmth, enveloping Ember in a hug to which she responded in kind.
"Me too," Ember whispered from within the embrace. Atticus, having grown taller over time, now towered over her, and her head nestled against his chest.
After a few seconds, Atticus gently released Ember from the hug, taking a moment to observe her.
Apart from the smile currently playing on her face because of the happy reunion, Ember's features remained largely unchanged.
She was currently almost 18 years old, so her womanly assets were already showing signs of sprouting.
Her face still maintained the perfect doll like beauty with her having gained a few centimeters in height.
But Ember's current appearance wasn't what Atticus was currently focused on; it was the aura radiating out from her, 'Expert- rank,' Atticus noted.
'She just advanced recently,' Her aura was a bit shaky. It was obvious she was still trying to stabilize her newfound power.
Ember was amongst the truly talented youths in the human domain, and coupled with that fact, she always trained hard.
Atticus knew well enough that he was a training freak. He knew he trained himself hard. But if there was one person Atticus could say he fell short to in terms of intense training, it would be Ember.