The city outside the academy was just as lively as Asher expected, since it was almost midday.
Students and other civilians moved in and out of storefronts, and neon signs flashed along the streets, advertising everything from combat gear to the latest magazine issues.
The mall was just a stone's throw away from the school—simply put, it was right across the road—and was sowhat lively.
He even spotted most of the students from the academy there.
He didn't think much about it because it was a college, after all, where everything and anything was allowed to a certain degree.
He adjusted the strap of his bag and crossed the empty road without looking out for anything.
As he stepped into the massive mall through the automated doors, he was greeted by the cool blast of air conditioning and the faint scent of freshly brewed coffee from the first store.
However, he had no ti to look for his favorite blend of coffee, there was always another ti for that.
His plan was simple—find sothing good for Alya and maybe a book with sothing for their mother.
Sothing small, not too large, but thoughtful.
As he made his way deeper into the mall, casually browsing through the store windows and the items on display, he instantly paused in his step.
A faint chill ran down his spine, that common feeling of being stalked.
But he did not look back. He just side-glanced, turning his head slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of the person who had been following him.
Sinnett.
He was a few stores behind.....about three, casually pretending to examine the display of training gear, but it was obvious he had been following Asher the entire ti.
Asher sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair before turning fully.
"You know," he called out, loud enough for Sinnett to hear, "if you're going to follow , at least try a disguise and don't stay in sight."
Sinnett blinked, then grinned, caught red-handed. He stepped away from the store window and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I thought I was doing a good job."
Asher's brows curved slightly. "Why are you following ?"
Sinnett shrugged. "Curiosity, mostly. Figured you might do sothing interesting."
"You think shopping is interesting?"
"Well, no. But you are," Sinnett admitted, his gaze eting Asher's, and he smirked.
"Triple S-ranked Necromancer? First in a thousand years? Yeah, I'd say that's worth keeping an eye on."
Asher sighed, already regretting acknowledging him. "I'm just here to buy so things for my family. Not exactly top-tier entertainnt."
Sinnett smirked. "Maybe. But since I'm already here, mind if I tag along?"
Asher considered telling him to leave, but in the end, he just exhaled and shook his head. "Do whatever you want."
Sinnett grinned. "Great. Let's see what kind of gifts a Necromancer picks out."
Asher ignored Sinnett's comnt and strode into a nearby bookstore. The scent of aged paper and freshly printed pages filled the air.
Compared to the noisy but sweet-slling mall outside, the bookstore was silent, with a faint scent of incense in the air.
Sothing Asher had grown up to love from his past life.
He made his way to a shelf labeled Historical & Arcane Studies, his fingers brushing over the thick books, the thin ones, and even pulling so out to check.
Sothing he thought might interest her.
Sinnett, for his part, was far less focused. He leaned against a nearby shelf, flipping through a book without really reading it.
"So, what kind of books does a Necromancer's mom read?" he asked.
Asher pulled a hardcover from the shelf and skimd the back.
"Stop calling that. And besides, she would like sothing entertaining with a little historical knowledge. She used to be a scholar before."
Sinnett humd. "That explains why you're the way you are."
Asher shot him a questioning look. "And what way is that?"
"You look like a slacker at first glance—just your bored expression and silent glares. But you're actually a nerd."
"What?!"
Sinnett smirked. "A slacker on the outside, but you're actually very observant and smart. Say, you grew up in the slums, correct?"
Asher exhaled slowly. "You have no limit, do you?"
"Not when I see sothing I want to know about in soone," Sinnett replied with a shrug.
Before Asher could respond, a voice interrupted him.
"Well, well. Look who it is."
A group of three students approached—two guys and a girl—all dressed in high-end casual wear, the kind that scread wealth, and an aura that spelled pride.
The one in front, a tall blonde with green eyes, had his hands in his pockets, but his stance was anything but casual.
Sinnett's relaxed posture shifted. He stood with his head raised high instead of slouching. "Great. Just what I needed."
Asher glanced between them, already piecing things together. "Friend of yours?"
"Hardly." Sinnett rolled his eyes. "More like soone who thinks they can get away with anything because their daddy funds half the academy's research departnt."
The blonde chuckled. "That's rich, coming from soone like you, Sinnett. Didn't you throw a drink in my face at that gala last month?"
Sinnett smirked. "Oh, I did more than that. Remind , was it red wine or that awful champagne?"
The guy's jaw tightened, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, his gaze moved to Asher.
"And you… I've heard about you. The so-called Triple S Necromancer." He scoffed. "Didn't think you'd be the type to keep this kind of company."
Asher raised a brow. "And what kind of company is that?"
The blonde tilted his head. "Compared to your useless self? This bastard over here is trouble. Arrogant, reckless, and completely out of his league."
Sinnett clicked his tongue. "Jealousy isn't a good look on you."
The guy ignored him, stepping closer. "You should be careful who you associate with, Morgan. Not everyone gets a second chance when they piss off the wrong people."
Asher smiled innocently, but his gaze turned cold. "That a threat?"
The guy held his gaze for a mont too long. When he couldn't handle Asher's intense stare, he turned away before scoffing.
"Just so advice." He glanced at Sinnett one last ti before turning on his heel and walking away, his entourage following.
They fled for one reason—Sinnett was known to use anything on sight to fight. But they didn't actually bother about him.
Asher was the real case, because he was the new student, and they feared that if they touched him, the headmaster might find out.
Silence lingered between them for a mont before Sinnett sighed. "Well, that was fun."
Asher studied him. Despite the casual attitude, there was tension in his posture. He wasn't as unaffected as he pretended to be.
"You have a habit of making enemies," Asher noted.
Sinnett exhaled. "It's not easy making friends with a terrible attitude, but yet, you haven't run off yet."
Asher shook his head. "Believe , I am worse..." He paused, deciding to let it go. "Co on. I still need to grab sothing for my sister."
They continued through the mall, the earlier tension gradually fading.
They stopped at a small boutique where Asher picked out two similar charm bracelets—sothing simple but elegant enough for females, sothing Alya would love.
Sinnett watched him, a smile plastered on his lips. "You're thoughtful."
Asher gave him a dry look. "Thanks?"
"I an it." Sinnett tapped his fingers against the counter. "Most guys at the academy... or even the city wouldn't give a damn about stuff like this. They just pick anything."
Asher just shook his head, chuckling softly. He was actually trying to make up for being a jerk in his last life.
Depression had turned him into a bully who did nothing but slack off and bla others for his predicant.
His lonely life was one he had created himself. He broke up with his girlfriend because she was too dramatic. He hardly went out because the sun was too bright or too hot.
And not to ntion his hatred for anything concerning school.
But then, here he was, given a possible do-over. He was grateful to the previous owner, though, despite the fact that his actions made Asher want to slap him hard and sit him down for a long talk.
Asher just smiled softly. "You really like acting like a saint, huh?"
Sinnett grinned. "I do. Covers up the whole 'bad exchange student' title."
Asher stared at the bracelets for a mont before speaking. "Well, you do you."
"Let's be friends," Sinnett suddenly said, ignoring the irritated look on Asher's face. Then he added,
"With plenty of benefits. My connections, your brains and strength."
"I don't need those."
"You like video gas?"
"I don't."
"Partying?"
"I hate everything that breathes there."
"A girlfriend then?"
"Too early for a financial and emotional distraction."
"Let's see," Sinnett mumbled, stroking his beardless chin. After a few seconds, he smiled. "Access to my informants."
Asher froze. He slowly turned his head to Sinnett, who smiled triumphantly. "How fast can I get the information I need?"
"I'll give you their contacts."
Asher chuckled softly. "I'll think about it."
Sinnett grinned. "I'll take that as a yes."
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