Powerless Boy is reborn as Lustful Elf
Chapter 69: Meeting Bastian

Chapter 69: Meeting Bastian

Alex pushed the heavy wooden door open, its hinges creaking slightly as he stepped into the hallway.

The door swung shut behind him with a soft, final click, muffling the faint shuffle of parchment and the last lingering traces of Professor Sylune’s voice as it faded away.

The hallway stretched before him, the noise almost deafening after the quiet of the classroom.

The corridor stretched before him, a gleaming expanse of marble veined with silver, its walls pulsing with soft, iridescent light that shifted from azure to lavender.

Arched windows lined one side, spilling golden morning light across the floor, their stained-glass panels casting kaleidoscopic patterns that danced like living murals.

His green tunic swished as he moved, the Elaris crest glinting on his chest, his blonde hair catching the light as he replayed Sylune’s directions, out the door, left down the corridor, third room on the right.

Simple enough, he thought, his smirk flickering with the confidence that had carried him through the morning’s tension, though her parting glance, that subtle lick of her lips, still simmered in his mind, a tantalizing distraction.

He turned left, boots clicking on the polished floor, passing clusters of students whose crests gleamed like tiny stars.

The whispers trailed him like a shadow, low and almost teasing, with snippets of "new guy" and "Vaelen" slipping into the air, sharp and curious.

Alex could feel their eyes on him, like invisible fingers pricking at the back of his neck.

But he didn’t flinch. Instead, he kept his head high, his steps deliberate and steady, letting his usual charm wrap around him like a protective cloak.

The corridor branched, twisting into a maze of alcoves and staircases, each turn more ornate than the last, crystal sconces humming, tapestries shimmering with elven runes.

Alex counted doors, his brow furrowing as the third room passed, then a fourth, none matching the classroom vibe he expected.

The halls grew quieter, students thinning, and a sinking realization hit: he was lost. Starhaven’s grandeur, once awe-inspiring, now felt like a glittering labyrinth mocking his every step.

A sharp bell rang, its chime reverberating through the walls like a call to surrender.

The last of the students disappeared into their classrooms, the sound of doors slamming shut echoing down the hallway with a finality that made the space feel colder.

The hustle and bustle of the morning had evaporated in an instant, leaving the corridor eerily still.

The usual chatter was gone, replaced by an unsettling silence.

Alex stopped, smacking his forehead with a groan, the sound muffled in the vast space. "Great job, genius," he muttered, frustration flaring as he raked a hand through his blonde hair.

Vaelen’s "sorry newbie" taunt echoed in his mind, stoking his irritation, lost on his first day, proving that jerk right.

He pivoted on his heel, a sudden decision to retrace his steps, his boots scraping against the floor with an almost reluctant sound as he backtracked.

The corridor stretched out in front of him, the silence wrapping around him like a blanket, until he passed a grand tapestry hanging on the wall.

The dragon depicted in the intricate weave seemed almost alive, its massive wings unfurled in mid-flight, and its piercing eyes locked onto him.

For a brief moment, he felt as though it was judging him, watching his every move.

He rounded a corner, the faint scent of polish and dust tickling his nose, and passed a nondescript door labeled "Janitor’s Closet," its wood scarred compared to the hall’s opulence.

A voice broke the silence, low and teasing, laced with an amused lilt that stopped him cold.

"Lost, aren’t you?" Alex spun, his hazel eyes narrowing, and found a boy leaning against the wall, one leg crossed over the other, his posture effortlessly casual.

The boy was striking, his dirty brown hair messily ruffled, as if he’d just rolled out of bed but made it look intentional.

Piercing blue eyes sparkled with mischief, sharp and knowing, set in an extremely attractive face with a hint of baby fat softening his cheekbones, giving him a boyish charm that contrasted his tall frame, just an inch shorter than Alex’s.

His tunic, a deep charcoal, was slightly wrinkled, his crest glinting with a subtle elegance that didn’t scream for attention.

His smile was lopsided, amused, like he was privy to some cosmic joke.

Alex exhaled, his frustration easing slightly, and nodded. "Yeah, I’m lost," he admitted, his tone dry but honest, his smirk twitching as he met those blue eyes.

The boy’s grin widened, his posture shifting as he pushed off the wall, sauntering closer with a swagger that felt both playful and calculated.

"Figured," the boy said, his voice smooth, dripping with mock sympathy. "All that parambulating, plus you being the new guy and all? Screams ’lost puppy’ to me."

He tilted his head, his ruffled hair flopping, his blue eyes glinting with a tease that invited Alex to bite back.

Alex nodded again, his smirk steadying, recognizing the game, this guy was testing him, but not with Vaelen’s hostility.

The boy continued, his tone shifting to a conspiratorial drawl, his grin never fading. "Speaking of new guy, word is Vaelen’s not happy about you crashing his turf."

He leaned closer, voice lowering, his blue eyes narrowing with a mix of amusement and warning.

"You might wanna watch your back constantly, man. Vaelen’s not someone you want as an enemy, guy’s got a knack for making life hell."

He paused, letting the weight of that sink in, his smile twitching as if he enjoyed the drama just a little too much.

Then he straightened, his expression softening, though the mischief lingered.

"Or, y’know, maybe you’d be better off trying to befriend him," he added, his tone lighter, almost flippant, like he was tossing out a wild idea just to see if it’d stick.

His blue eyes flicked over Alex, assessing, and he paused again, a beat of silence stretching before his grin flashed, bright and disarming.

"Oh, by the way," he said, extending a hand with a flourish, "name’s Bastian."