The evening sky stretched calmly above Arcadia Academy, its soft amber glow fading gradually into deeper shades of violet as the final traces of daylight slipped quietly beyond the horizon. A gentle breeze passed through the open courtyards, carrying with it the familiar scent of polished stone and distant greenery that had always defined the academy grounds.
Yet for Luca, the return felt far less comforting than usual.
He walked beside Seraphina in silence, the quiet rhythm of their footsteps echoing faintly against the stone pathways as they crossed the open grounds and moved toward the main academic buildings. The peaceful atmosphere of the academy contrasted sharply with the chaos and uncertainty of the past few days, yet the tension between them lingered quietly beneath the surface.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither seemed certain where conversation should even begin.
