Neveah’s expression was bored as the group of riders cackled at the words of the red haired rider.

Jinx... the bad luck, these words settled heavily and were difficult to hear but Neveah took it in stride regardless.

All Neveah’s life, if there was one thing she was most accustomed to...it was being the object of scorn, hated and despised by all, it had all grown old already.

It was the same back in the Eclipse Domain and so the words that were intended to be sharp and hurtful barely left an impact.

"Do you feel no guilt? That the Lord of Ruby Scales has met harm the very moment he associated with you?" The red haired rider continued, her tone chilling.

Neveah’s brows twitched slightly, there were words that were easily ignored... and there were others that still left a sting.

Not because of anyone’s opinion but because Neveah already entertained the thought...if it truly was a coincidence that Menarx would be hurt on the very day he announced her as his rider.

Or was it Neveah’s ill fate pulling the strings again? Reminding her that if she ever headed in a direction of her chosing, she would only be pulled right back to the starting point.

’Veah...do not think about it, or anything else. We are here now and we represent Menarx’s heart and intentions...all we must do is our best to honor him.’ Neveah’s wolf thought to her.

’Our best?... I can do that much.’ Neveah thought back, shaking off any stray thoughts.

"That is enough, Fiona. Do you not have a class to be at or would you have me report your absence to Master Heather?" Elina interrupted before the red haired rider could say anymore.

Neveah was slightly surprised that Elina had bothered interrupting, a moment ago, Elina was the one hurling a throwing dagger at her.

"And what is it to you? Master Heather made it clear the new rider was not to receive any special treatment." The red haired countered Elina in a chilling tone.

Elina did not respond but her hand moved up to settle on her knife belt, and her action spoke all the words she did not say.

The brows of the red haired rider furrowed in displeasure at Elina’s threat, and she fixed Elina with a glare for a moment before her gaze moved back to Neveah.

"What? You have nothing to say for yourself?...Well, you shouldn’t. Words will be of no help to you here in the academy."

"That is if you get to stay any longer than the few days it shall take the Lord Menarx to realize just what a mistake this is." The red haired rider sneered as she lead her group past.

When they had gone past, Elina breathed an annoyed sigh. Her hands lingered on her belt for a moment longer as though deliberating if she would still hurl a knife at the red haired female.

Seeming to finally come to a decision, Elina lowered her hand, returning her attention to Neveah.

"As you may have seen, you are pretty well known around these parts. You have been known since the rider’s council where I hear you tagged the entire council as a ’big joke’." Elina relayed in a blank tone.

"That is the Lady Fiona, rider of Lord Conrad of the fourth squadron. The fourth squadron is the city guard and Lord Conrad is Lord Lodenworth’s immediate subordinate... she is not someone you wish to cross." Elina continued.

"Or she would like to believe so at the least." Elina added with a shake of her head.

"Why, are you surprised by her opinion of you?" Elina asked when Neveah did not respond to her.

"No... what bothers me is you stepping up." Neveah replied bluntly.

Elina shrugged casually as she strode past Neveah and continued leading the way.

"Firstly, I am assigned to escort you to your master in one piece. Secondly, it is a fact that I do not like you... and I do not disagree with her words either." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Lord Menarx was harmed the moment he decided to bond you, and you will not be allowed to forget that... neither will it be forgiven."

"In the rider’s academy, you will come to learn that the one most important rule is the fact that the dragon lords are sacred... indispensable, but riders are different."

"The dragon lords may believe otherwise but we are taught never to forget... that it is us who must be sacrificed if such a time comes and not the other way around."

"Whether the fault lies with you or not, if you are to be Lord Menarx’s rider, then it is your lifetime duty to protect him...a duty you have failed on your very first day." Elina accused.

Neveah winced, that much was true... she had failed Menarx on that night, more than anyone would ever know.

"I am certain Fiona and I are not the only ones amongst our ranks who are convinced you will not make a very good rider. My advice? Use the gates with which you came in... sooner, rather than later." Elina clarified.

Neveah pursed her lips slightly, she already blamed herself enough for Menarx’s predicament. What did it matter if everyone else cast the blame on her too?

"I am well aware of your dislike, Elina. I could see that clearly enough at the tip of your dagger... right before I narrowly escaped it. And that is all the more reason I do not require your interference in my affairs." Neveah replied blankly.

Elina paused for a moment, seeming to ponder Neveah’s clear warning.

"My opinion considered, it is neither Fiona’s right nor place to confront you in such an undignified manner."

"We riders live by the code of honor, verbal abuses and mockery are beneath us. Fiona is yet to tamper her arrogance and she impacts the younger riders negatively, it is disgraceful."

"Here in the academy, we speak by strength and skill...as Fiona said, words are of no use here, clearly she has difficulty taking her own advice." Elina finished blankly.

"I see." Neveah replied, Elina’s words were already within Neveah’s expectations.

The Rider’s Academy was a new world and Neveah was certain every day coming would be as eventful as this one.