The school day passed in its usual rhythm—classes, chatter, and the subtle undercurrents of tension that had become so common in Alaric's life. He navigated through it all with a calm detachment, his mind focused on something far more important. Ever since his familiar had awakened, there was a sense of inevitability in the air—like pieces of a grand puzzle falling into place. And today, he decided to involve someone else in this secret.
As the final bell rang, students began pouring out of the classrooms, eager to escape the confines of school. Alaric stood by his locker, his eyes scanning the crowd. He caught sight of Evelyn across the hall. She was walking with a couple of her friends, smiling faintly as they laughed at some joke, but there was a noticeable undercurrent of distraction in her eyes.
