The sharp ring of the morning bell jolted me awake. The faint light of dawn streamed through the small dorm window, casting golden rays over the room's wooden floor. I stretched, feeling the slight stiffness in my back from the hard dorm bed. Today marked the beginning of the second week at the academy, and I wasn't sure if I felt excitement or dread.
Yesterday, Crestia and I had agreed to keep a low profile, only leaving our dorms to grab meals at the cafeteria. It seemed like a sound plan to avoid Alad's scheming, but today, that strategy wouldn't work. Classes were unavoidable, and so was the risk of running into him.
Sighing, I glanced over at my three dormmates. Tork, Raiden, and Tyiyn were still snoring peacefully, oblivious to the passing time. I shook my head, walking to Tork's bed first.
