The fountain pen scratched rhythmically against paper, a quick, sharp sound that echoed through the otherwise silent office. Stacks of documents, handwritten reports, incomplete disciplinary files, damage assessments, and budget requests were spread chaotically across Astrid Voss's desk, an unusual mess for a woman known for for being organized and precise.
Her eyes moved over each page with cold speed, but her mind was far from calm. Half the academy was still in ruins, the other half running on the fragile thread of fear, and outside the protective walls, the kingdom itself was unraveling.
A knock sounded.
Astrid didn't look up.
"Enter."
The door opened, and the scent reached her before the footsteps did, oakwood, steel, iron discipline. Magnus Thorn.
"What is it?" she asked flatly, still signing a paper.
Magnus stepped forward, stopping in front of her desk. "Cyrin spoke to me about your encounter with him."
She continued writing.
