The morning air inside the dormitory hall buzzed faintly with energy. Hundreds of first-year students filled the main lobby, their voices echoing between the marble walls and tall pillars.
Trafalgar stood with his group near the back—Zafira beside him, arms crossed, while Barth, Cynthia, and Xavier tried to peek through the crowd. Everyone was waiting for the professors to announce who would be leading each expedition team for the visit to the Primordial Bloodline ruins.
Professor Rhaldrin stood near the front, barely reaching the waist of the other instructors, yet commanding absolute silence once he cleared his throat. His crimson eyes gleamed. "Students," he began, "today's exploration will be divided into various research groups. Each of you will be assigned to one instructor."
