Ellen's breathing hitched.
She turned toward the door… then froze.
It was clear. She wasn't ready to face Maxim.
The others in the room noticed it too. With a collective sigh, they shook their heads.
"We'll go ahead, Headmaster," Olga said, breaking the silence. "You'd better entertain the guests."
He turned on his heel and walked out.
The other department heads followed, giving Lucien polite nods and brief goodbyes.
On their way out, they instructed the guard, "Escort the guests to the Headmaster's office."
And just like that, Lucien found himself alone with Ellen again.
He glanced at her... and sighed.
She hadn't moved a muscle.
The air around her was… strange.
It felt heavier and warped... like time itself had slowed down around her.
Lucien frowned.
He recognized this.
She was using her skill.
Perfect Loop.
'Is she seriously running simulations in her head.'
The tension in the room confirmed it.
The distortion in the air…
The silence...
