Attia's footsteps echoed through the corridors as he made his way toward his office. His gait was measured, controlled—the same steady rhythm he had maintained for years, hiding the truth that lurked beneath every step.
His jaw was clenched so tight his teeth ached.
The day had started horribly.
An administrative crisis before dawn—some paperwork error that threatened to delay funding for the entire spring semester. Two students were injured in a training accident, neither seriously but both requiring medical attention and incident reports. And then, to top it all off, a message from his Magic Defense professor saying he wouldn't be able to teach for at least a week.
All before ten in the morning.
Attia had done what needed to be done. He had signed the forms, visited the injured stud
