{Jin's POV}
******
The early morning sun crested over the jagged stone spires of the Royal Academy, casting long, golden rays that pierced through the lingering dawn mist.
A crisp, biting wind swept across the deserted campus courtyards, rustling the dew-heavy leaves of the ancient oaks.
Somewhere in the canopy, a chorus of songbirds began their sharp, melodic chirping to greet the dawn, completely oblivious to the heavy, underlying tensions of the students sleeping below.
I pushed open the rusted iron doors at the base of the old astronomy tower, stepping out into the freezing morning air. The heavy metal groaned shut behind me with a dull, echoing thud.
I pulled the collar of my dark uniform jacket up against the chill, letting out a long, exhausted breath that instantly plumed into a white cloud. I hadn't slept a wink.
