Meanwhile, outside his dorm, faint footsteps echoed down the corridor.
A shadow passed by his door.
The steps halted for a moment, as if someone was listening. Then they continued, fading into the darkness.
Kael's eyes opened suddenly. His instincts flared.
He got up quietly and opened the door. No one was there. Only the cold night wind drifted through the corridor.
He frowned. "Strange…"
For a moment, he thought he saw something — a faint ripple of light at the far end of the hall, like a cloaked figure turning a corner.
He tightened his grip on the doorframe. "Someone was watching."
He shut the door again and locked it. Then, sitting on his bed, he took out his dagger and placed it beside him.
His gaze lingered on the case containing the map.
"Looks like things are getting dangerous already."
The next morning, the academy bell rang, announcing dawn.
