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As evening settled over the Arcane Academy, Caelum returned to his dormitory. He moved quietly, savoring the silence as he washed away the day's sweat and dust, the cool water a welcome relief against his skin. Freshly bathed and dressed, he leaned back on his bed, watching the fading sunlight shift into the soft glow of twilight through the narrow dormitory window. Shadows stretched across the stone walls, casting a tranquil, almost solemn beauty over the room.
As night deepened, Caelum made his way outside. The campus had transformed under the starlit sky, a hushed calm draping over the ancient architecture and towering spires. The walkways, which had been bustling with activity earlier, were now quiet, illuminated only by moonlight filtering through branches and the occasional magical torch flickering with a warm, otherworldly glow. In the quiet of night, Caelum could feel the immense power thrumming through the academy itself, as if the very stones pulsed with the legacy of countless generations of mages.
The soft breeze carried a whisper of the arcane—ancient secrets, faded whispers, and a subtle sense of foreboding. The shadows seemed deeper, more mysterious, as if they held secrets of their own. Caelum was struck by the academy's haunting beauty at night, a hidden grandeur reserved only for those brave enough to wander its grounds alone.
He found himself, to his own surprise, heading toward the girls' dormitory. The path was quiet, the only sound his footsteps echoing against the stone. As he neared the entrance, he hesitated, feeling slightly out of place, until a girl passing by caught his attention.
"Excuse me," he said, his tone even but polite, "I'm looking for someone here."
The girl blinked, her mouth dropping open slightly in surprise. She hadn't expected Caelum, the calm, stoic student known for his quiet intensity, to speak to her. After a moment, she managed a nod, quickly pointing inside. "You… you can go in," she said, stumbling over her words. "Boys are allowed."
Caelum raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn't known boys were permitted inside the girls' dormitory, but he didn't hesitate further, thanking the girl with a curt nod before stepping through the entrance.
Inside, the halls were quiet but filled with traces of energy that hummed from behind closed doors. Remembering Sera's voice mentioning room 113 earlier, Caelum made his way down the corridor, his footfalls muffled against the thick stone flooring.
Meanwhile, in room 113, Sera, Mira, Elara, and Liana sat in a cozy circle on the floor, sharing stories from their day. Sera animatedly recounted her unexpected interaction with Caelum, while Mira listened with a knowing smile and Elara laughed softly at her friend's enthusiasm. Liana sat back, amused but quiet, listening as each of her friends described the triumphs and challenges of their training.
Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by a murmur from outside, faint at first but growing louder with each second. Curious glances passed between them as they wondered what could be causing such a commotion so late at night.
Liana rose first, moving toward the door, her curiosity getting the better of her. She glanced back at the others, who quickly followed suit, each of them slipping out into the corridor. The murmur had grown into a soft, excited hum, the kind that passed like wildfire through the academy's student body whenever something unexpected happened.
"Who's causing all this noise?" Liana asked, reaching out to gently stop a younger girl who was passing by. The girl looked at her with wide eyes and whispered, "It's a boy! A boy just walked into the girls' dormitory!"
Liana's eyes widened slightly in surprise, though a hint of intrigue sparkled beneath her calm expression. It was true that boys were technically allowed into the girls' dormitory, but it was rare for any to actually step inside. The implicit boundary between the two dormitories wasn't often crossed, and certainly not in such a bold manner.
Curiosity piqued, Liana pushed her way through the growing crowd of students, each step bringing her closer to the commotion's center. When she reached the middle of the crowd, she finally saw the reason for all the fuss.
There, standing slightly off-balance with a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead, was Caelum. He looked somewhat trapped, surrounded by curious eyes and hushed voices. Some of the girls stared in open admiration, while others seemed flustered by his unexpected presence. Caelum's gaze shifted as if assessing his options, but with each passing moment, his path forward seemed to grow more complicated.
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As Caelum scanned the crowd for a way out, his gaze landed on a familiar face. Liana. Relief flooded his eyes as he silently pleaded with her to help him escape the sea of curious onlookers. She caught his look, understanding his predicament instantly, and stepped forward, her presence commanding immediate attention.
A hush fell over the crowd. Whispers faded, and all eyes fixed on the sight before them: the academy's most handsome boy standing side-by-side with its most beautiful girl. Speculation sparked like wildfire—was there something between them?
Without a word, Liana took a stance in front of Caelum, positioning herself protectively. Her back to him, she faced the crowd with a calm, unreadable expression. Then, slowly, her blue eyes began to glow, their gentle light taking on an almost ominous brilliance. A chilling smile spread across her lips, quiet but menacing, and the effect was instantaneous. The girls in front of her shrank back, their curiosity melting into a quiet awe.
Liana took one deliberate step forward, her gaze unwavering. The crowd instinctively stepped back, and the corridor went completely silent. Another step, then a third—each one diminishing the onlookers' resolve until, without further protest, they cleared a path for her and Caelum.
Behind her, Caelum watched in surprise. Though he couldn't see her face, the way she commanded the crowd left him both impressed and intrigued. In that moment, her slender frame seemed unshakable, exuding a power that went beyond mere intimidation. He followed her lead, grateful yet captivated by the unexpected strength she showed.
They walked in silence until they reached room 113. Mira, Elara, and Sera were waiting just inside, each of them wide-eyed as they witnessed the scene. As soon as they crossed the threshold, Liana let out a sigh and staggered, the tension from her previous performance draining out of her. Before she could fall, Caelum caught her, his arms wrapping gently around her as he steadied her.
She gave him a tired smile, her eyelids fluttering closed. Caelum, holding her securely, found himself struck by the beauty of her face up close. With her guard down, Liana's features were soft and delicate, her long lashes resting against her cheeks. Her dark hair framed her face, highlighting her high cheekbones and the graceful arch of her brows. Even in rest, a quiet strength emanated from her, hinting at the tenacity within.
Mira stepped forward, breaking Caelum's reverie. She gently took Liana from his arms, her expression calm yet concerned, and helped her lie down on the bed. Caelum watched as Mira tended to her friend, feeling a newfound respect for Liana and the hidden depth she had revealed tonight.
With Liana resting, he stepped back, glancing at each of the girls before giving a small nod. His gaze lingered on Liana for a moment longer before he quietly turned and left the room, the events of the evening settling in his mind as he walked back to his dorm.
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