William stood at the towering gates of the academy, his fingers brushing against the cold metal bars. The familiar crest of the school gleamed in the sunlight, a silent reminder that the holiday was officially over. He felt a mix of emotions—a blend of exhaustion, dread, and a faint glimmer of anticipation. The holidays had flown by, leaving him wondering where all the time had gone.
He sighed deeply, gazing at the bustling students walking through the gates. Some were excited, chatting animatedly about their holiday adventures, while others, like him, dragged their feet as though walking into a prison. The weight of returning to the structured life of the academy pressed heavily on him.
