An assassination attempt.
It made sense the more Velren thought about it. Solenne wasn't just any student—she was royalty. A direct member of the imperial family, and if there was one thing history had shown, it was that those in power often attracted enemies in equal measure. The presence of the Kaovus wasn't some random existence.
Someone had orchestrated it, ensuring that it infiltrated the exam unnoticed, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
In a way, this made it the second time Velren had saved her. He could only hope this didn't become a habit of his—not because he didn't want to help, but because he'd rather she not be put in danger in the first place. But that was probably wishful thinking on his part.
Which now led to another pressing question: Who had sent the Kaovus?
As if mirroring his own thoughts, it was Mikhail who spoke first, turning to the professor with a sharp edge to his voice.
"Can we trace it back to its user?"
