The number of unpredictable variables in this world was growing every day—Elena's strange behavior, the appearance of people who shouldn't exist, the hidden artifacts…
If I wanted to survive whatever was coming, I needed more mana. More power.
But right now?
Right now, all I wanted was a bed.
My limbs felt like lead, and my eyelids grew heavier with every step I took.
Still, I pushed myself upright, forcing my trembling legs to move.
One step at a time, I made my way out of the alley, heading toward the faint lights of the academy in the distance.
By the time I finally reached my dorm, I was too exhausted to even think.
I collapsed face-first onto the bed, armor and all.
"…I'll think about it tomorrow."
And with that half-conscious mumble, I drifted off to sleep—
unaware that tomorrow's problems were already waiting for me.
----
The next day.
The academy was in an uproar. Word of last night's incident had already spread like wildfire through the security division.
