The sun had already set by the time William finished his evening training session. The sky had turned a deep shade of purple, the last traces of orange disappearing behind the academy buildings as he made his way back toward the dormitories.
Most students had already retreated inside for dinner or rest. The grounds were quiet, footsteps echoing softly on the stone paths as William walked with his hands loose at his sides, his mind drifting between cultivation theory and whether he had the energy to cook anything before bed.
The evening air carried a slight chill that had been getting worse over the past few days. William pulled his clothes tighter and kept walking, his breath coming out in small clouds that vanished almost immediately.
Behind him, about thirty feet back, Kai walked in perfect silence.
