The weekend after Aleck's spar, campus life seemed to settle back into its routine. Classes, training, laughter echoing across Hesreth Street as students mingled. But beneath that lively hum, whispers spread like wildfire.
"I swear, I saw a night hare hopping around the courtyard this morning."
"You're crazy. Those only come out in the dead of night."
"Then explain why it stole my sandwich!"
By Monday, the stories grew stranger. Owls perched on classroom windows in broad daylight, glaring as if they were eavesdropping. A herd of deer had stampeded through the southern fields, spooking a group of first-years.
Even the Familiars that were usually calm seemed on edge, twitching at shadows that stretched just a little too long against the walls.
Aranea walked beside Elenea and Beau on their way to class, her brows knitted. "I'm not imagining it, right? Things are… weird lately."
