She stopped.
Vyn looked up. "What about him?"
Reia frowned. "He hasn’t replied to any of my messages. Not one. Since the gate."
"...Same here," Silas added. "You think something happened to him?"
Vyn said nothing. She looked down at her hand again. The mark glowed softly.
"...Or maybe something’s still happening."
The silence lingered in the room.
Then—
"What are you talking about?"
All three of them turned toward the door.
Evelyn walked in with a calm look, her boots soft against the marble floor. Her blazer was half-buttoned, hair tied up loosely, and she carried a steaming cup of tea in one hand like she’d just woken up from a nap she didn’t want to end.
Reia blinked. "You’re back early."
"Didn’t feel like staying home," Evelyn replied. She took one more step in, her eyes shifting between them. "Now... what exactly is still happening?"
Reia didn’t answer with words. She just raised her left hand and turned it slightly.
The silver symbol shimmered softly—pulsing like a living thought.
"You see it?"
Evelyn tilted her head, frowned, then leaned in.
"No. What am I supposed to be seeing?"
Reia lowered her hand slowly. "Never mind."
"Wait, what was that? What are you guys hiding?" Evelyn’s voice sharpened just a bit.
Before anyone could answer, the door behind her opened again.
Heavy steps.
A shadow crossed the room before the man himself appeared.
Dean Garos.
His coat trailed lightly behind him as he walked in, eyes sweeping across the room with the kind of sharpness that cut without needing words.
Everyone straightened instinctively.
Even Vyn.
Garos stood at the front of the room, hands behind his back, posture tense but unreadable.
His eyes landed on each of them—Reia. Silas. Vyn. Evelyn.
Then his gaze sharpened.
"Where is Lucian?"
The question landed heavy.
Reia opened her mouth, unsure what to say.
But before she could speak—
"I’m here."
Everyone turned at once.
Lucian stood in the far corner, near the tall shelf by the windows.
He wasn’t hiding.
He was just... quiet.
Leaning slightly against the wall, arms folded, eyes tired but focused.
Garos exhaled softly. "Good. Since you’re all here, I’ll get straight to it."
He stepped forward.
Everyone stared.
Garos locked eyes with them.
"Your early graduation has been canceled."
Silas blinked. "What?"