The evening air carried a crisp coolness, a stark contrast to the warmth of the sun that had lingered throughout the day. A faint breeze rustled the leaves lining the academy pathways, carrying with it the scent of freshly cut grass and distant chimney smoke. The distant murmur of students winding down for the night filled the atmosphere with a quiet liveliness—small groups lingering around the dormitories, some engaged in last-minute discussions about their studies, while others simply enjoyed idle conversation.
Velren stood before the academy's commission board, its surface illuminated by a series of soft, enchanted lights that kept the postings visible even after sundown. He wasn't alone—several other students had gathered around, scanning the available requests with varying degrees of interest.
