Ronan walked across the polished stone floor and seated himself across from Vulcan, Irene, and Victoria. The arrangement felt deliberate: three against one, isolated and exposed.
Aura remained perched on his head, tail curled around the side of his face.
Vulcan's gaze shifted upward briefly.
"What is that creature on your head?"
"My pet," Ronan answered simply.
Vulcan dismissed it with a slight nod and returned his focus to Ronan.
Victoria, however, lingered. Her eyes studied Aura with quiet interest, the way someone might examine an unusual artifact or rare specimen.
Aura remained perfectly still. —
"I heard from Irene that you made it into S-Class," Vulcan said.
Ronan nodded.
"I did."
Vulcan leaned back slightly.
"You've proven me wrong," he said, and the admission carried weight. "Going to Luminara was something that truly helped you grow."
Ronan kept his expression neutral.
"Thank you. Your praise is too much for me."
The response was diplomatic.
