Walking through the school gates without his usual swarm of bodyguards, Ashen immediately draws shocked expressions from the guards on duty.
Their reactions are almost comical, as if witnessing some forbidden event. But a single glance from Ashen is all it takes to send them bowing out of his way.
He hears one of them mumble something about informing the principal that he's back.
Their words are muffled, half-whispered in awe or anticipation, but Ashen doesn't bother to listen. He doesn't care. None of it interests him.
All of this bores him. The attention. The reverence. The fear. Everyone treats him like he's some kind of contagious disease, untouchable and alien.
Even grown adults flinch when he walks past, as if his mere presence is a threat.
It's exhausting.
Sometimes he gets frustrated to the point of asking himself_ What's the point of attending school if no one dares to punish you for your mistakes?
No detentions.
No suspensions.
