The sun was setting over the academy, casting long shadows that danced across the cobblestone paths. The usual hustle and bustle of the day had finally begun to quiet down, and most of the students were either heading back to their dorms or gathering in small groups to unwind. But Maris had no interest in relaxing. She stood silently in the shadow of a tall oak tree, her light blue eyes locked onto the scene unfolding in the courtyard below.
Lucan and Elias were seated on a stone bench near the academy's fountain, their conversation inaudible from Maris's hidden vantage point. Lucan's demeanor was as calm and collected as ever, his posture relaxed, and his gaze steady as he spoke. Elias, on the other hand, appeared more animated, his movements betraying his excitement and nervous energy as he talked. Despite the physical distance, Maris felt a strange tension as she observed the two of them.
