A few hours earlier, after the simulation ended…
While most students lingered in the academy's simulation wing—chatting, stretching, or comparing bruises, Sera Valcrest walked calmly through the side hallway toward the front gate.
The simulation had ended only fifteen minutes ago.
Ethan and the Moonshade twins had stayed behind to eat and chat. Sera had seen them take the long route toward the cafeteria. That was fine. Expected, even.
But she didn't feel like staying.
Her steps were quiet, but they didn't rush. Her bag hung evenly on one shoulder, and her uniform was still neat, not a single wrinkle out of place.
Beside her, Mei Ren walked with her hands in her pockets, expression unreadable as always.
They didn't speak until they reached the front of the school.
Outside, the street was calm. Most of the student traffic had faded by now. A few vehicles hovered in slow traffic near the outer gate, and a light breeze tugged at the loose ends of Sera's skirt.
