The cold was beginning to fade.
Thin trails of melting snow lined the edges of the stone paths, vanishing under the pale morning sun. Winter had nearly passed, and with it came the slow arrival of spring—and his birthday, too. But that wasn't what weighed on Noel's mind.
He walked alone, hands tucked in the pockets of his coat, his eyes fixed ahead toward the massive conference hall at the center of campus. That was where the exam would take place. Theoretical finals. His weakest ground.
'If I mess this up, my spot in Class S is gone.'
And that wasn't just about prestige. Class S meant access—better equipment, private training rooms, direct mentorship, and the right to move freely beyond academy limits.
'Without that, everything gets harder, and it is already hard enough.'
As he neared the entrance, he caught sight of a familiar figure turning the corner ahead: Seraphina. Her long white cloak fluttered behind her, elegant as always, drawing glances from the students nearby.
