Back at the Academy...
Night had swallowed the academy whole.
The towering stone buildings stood silent under the pale silver glow of the moon, their shadows long and watchful like ancient guardians. The air was colder than usual, sharp enough to sting the lungs.
Most students were already inside their dorms. Lights out. Curfew and Stillness.
But one figure was running barefoot, breathing hard and esperate.
“Philipa— stop!”
Her heart slammed wildly against her ribs as she rushed down the empty corridor, headi g straight for the thick bushes behind the hostels. Her cloak half slipping off her shoulders.
She didn’t care. She didn’t care about rules.
Didn’t care about punishment. Didn’t care if they expelled her.
“I have to go back… I have to go home…” she whispered brokenly to herse
