Resistance Club

After an eventful day of classes, Lyra made her way to the dining hall, eager to unwind and catch up with her roommate. She grabbed a tray of food and scanned the room, spotting Clara at a table near the window. With a smile, she walked over and took a seat across from her friend.

"Hey, Clara!" Lyra greeted, her enthusiasm evident in her voice. "How was your day?"

Clara looked up from her plate, returning Lyra's smile. "Oh, it was pretty good. I had a fascinating lecture on the history of Essence techniques. How about you?"

Lyra's eyes lit up as she remembered her alchemy class. "It was great! I met this really cool guy named Elias. He's my partner for the alchemy experiments."

Clara raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her face. "Oh? Tell me more about this Elias."

Lyra felt a blush creep into her cheeks. "Well, he's really smart and talented with alchemy. And he was wearing these cute camo pants. I thought they were pretty cool."

Clara's expression suddenly turned serious. "Camo pants? Lyra, that means he's part of the Resistance Club."

Lyra tilted her head, confusion etched on her face. "The Resistance Club? What's that?"

Clara leaned in, her voice low. "I don't know too much about them, but my dad always told me to never associate myself with anyone in that group."

Before Lyra could ask more questions, her attention was drawn to a group of girls entering the dining hall. Among them was Lilith, the petite, wealthy Sanguine Essence user who had insulted Lyra and Clara on their first day. The girls' uniforms were different from the rest of the students - they were of higher quality, with exotic colors and eye-catching jewelry that made them stand out.

As they passed by Lyra and Clara's table, the girls whispered and giggled, casting disdainful glances in their direction. Lilith, who seemed to be at the center of the group, nodded in agreement with whatever cruel remarks were being made.

Lyra felt a pang of hurt and anger. She had thought Lilith was mean before, but seeing her now, surrounded by her equally nasty friends, made Lyra realize just how cruel she could be.

Clara noticed Lyra's distress and reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "Don't let them get to you, Lyra. They're just a bunch of snobby, entitled brats."

Lyra sighed, trying to push down the feelings of inadequacy and frustration. "I know, but it still hurts. I don't understand why they have to be so mean."

Clara gave Lyra's arm a gentle squeeze. "Some people just feel the need to put others down to make themselves feel better. But we know our worth, and we won't let them define us."

Lyra managed a small smile, grateful for Clara's support and friendship. As they continued their meal, the conversation turned to lighter topics, and Lyra found herself laughing and enjoying the moment, despite the lingering sting of Lilith's cruelty.

As they left the dining hall, Lyra's mind wandered back to Elias and the Resistance Club. She couldn't help but feel intrigued by the mystery surrounding the group and wondered what secrets they might hold. Despite Clara's warning, Lyra felt a growing desire to learn more about Elias and the world he inhabited, even if it meant venturing into unknown and potentially dangerous territory.