🍁Nine Ancient Obelisks

Upon arriving at the university, Asmidul sees some guy chatting with Zavirushka Snowforest, whom he knows well, while another guy stands aside, lost in his own thoughts. After a couple of minutes, the first one leaves, heading up the stairs.

The aspiring scholar paid little attention to the ordinary-unordinary visitors; instead, he waited for his turn at the reception desk.
—Zavirushka, hi! —within these familiar walls, after the past year, he felt almost at home. —So, any News? By the way, aren't you thinking of waiting out the danger back in your homeland?
Contrary to last year's reflections, there were no hidden prejudices or hints in this question; after all, the northerner bore a noble Zimivian surname.