The luxurious suite was silent except for the faint hum of mana-lamps lining the edges of the ceiling. A king-sized bed rested near the center of the room, untouched. Deep red leather chairs formed a seating area off to one side, with a polished glass table between them. Beyond the thick windowpanes, the lights of the mountain city flickered like stars—soft, distant, and cold.
A tall woman stood barefoot on the plush carpet, her long violet hair flowing down her back in smooth waves. She wore something light, not her usual formal attire as the director of Luceria Grand Academy, but a silken, sleeveless robe that hinted at ease and confidence. Her gaze was fixed on the door, though her expression was unreadable.
"I can feel you, Nicolas," she said calmly, turning her head slightly.
A soft hum of spatial energy shimmered in the room as Nicolas von Aldros emerged from the mana-surge, materializing near the entrance.
