10: Hero Emerged

CHAPTER TEN

"Oh, Gale, it's already nine. You're quite late," Melchor greeted Gale as they walked up to each other while entering the dormitory gate.

Melchor, one of his roommates, was a straightforward guy. Standing at 5'9", he was just as tall as Gale. His well-trimmed hair, always in an army cut with white sidewalls, gave him a disciplined appearance. Though handsome, his brown complexion, likely from excessive sun exposure, and the bulging veins in his hands clearly indicated a hard-working past rooted in poverty.

As such, in the afternoons, especially after his classes, Melchor will report to his part-time at one of the Academy's food courts, which explained his late returns to their dormitory.

"Yeah, I had something to do," Gale replied with a smile.

Melchor was among Gale's closest friends in their dormitory, always there for him despite his own struggles.

"Have you eaten yet? I brought some food from the food court," Melchor said, raising the cellophane bag he was carrying.

"I