After that, the trio chilled and talked for a bit while longer and the wards were the last thing Albedo noticed as he left the clearing.
Not because they were loud or bright, but because they weren't.
They remained steady, unwavering, humming softly in a way that spoke of absolute confidence. Luna's work. Nymarielle's restraint. Power so immense it no longer needed to announce itself.
That, more than anything else, lingered in his mind as he walked away.
The forest paths of the Academy grounds unfolded before him, dappled sunlight filtering through ancient canopies, birdsong cautiously resuming now that the pressure of a Leviathan's aura had finally faded from the land.
Students moved in the distance, some practicing spells, others walking in groups, laughing, complaining, living.
It was normalcy, and after the past few months, this still felt foreign.
It felt… foreign.
Albedo exhaled slowly as he adjusted the strap of his coat across his shoulder.
Too quiet.
