The air in the cafeteria seemed to thicken, a slow, heavy pressure that settled in everyone's chest. The usual clatter of trays and chatter of students had died completely, replaced by a low, humming silence. Even those who had no idea what was going on instinctively stayed quiet, their eyes flicking between Andromeda and Khael as though they were waiting for a verdict.
Andromeda's eyes narrowed, still fixed in that steady, unblinking way of his. Junjun sat at his side, hackles barely raised, tail stiff not growling, but alert, like a soldier waiting for orders.
Kaen's voice cut through the tension, sharper now.
"What is it!!"
Khael glanced briefly at Kaen, then back at Andromeda. He could see the weight behind Ban's words, the way he was choosing them carefully — like each syllable was a blade he wasn't sure if he wanted to draw yet.
Andromeda didn't look away.
