Ethan stepped back from the scanning ring, eyes still locked on the flickering screen even as the system powered down.
The red text hadn't disappeared right away—it lingered for a few seconds longer, pulsing once more as if to be sure he saw it, then faded entirely, leaving behind a blank interface and a heavy silence that weighed more than any words could.
He didn't need to turn to know that the entire room was watching.
No one said anything, but he could feel it—quiet glances from students who didn't want to get involved, mixed with curiosity, uncertainty, and maybe a little unease.
They'd all seen it. Whatever that system detected, or didn't detect, wasn't normal.
Everly leaned in from her row just behind him, her breath brushing lightly against his neck as she spoke low. "So… that's not normal, right?"
Ethan didn't move. "No idea," he muttered.
