The class ended up in perpetual glances, an awkward silence wrapping the room like a heavy curtain, until Leon finally broke it, clearing his throat with princely poise.
"Since it seems like we're the only ones who passed… and since we were dismissed," he began, tone smooth yet tinged with anticipation, "how about I hold a celebration? To congratulate ourselves?"
Maria clapped, practically beaming at the idea. Her eyes sparkled with a kind of warmth that made the room feel just a bit less cold. "That sounds great! We could really use a break after all of that…"
Dwayne chuckled, rubbing his shoulder as if still feeling the phantom bruises from the trial.
"Yeah, way too much goblins. Thanks for the support back then." He flicked finger guns at Maria with a cheeky grin.
"We were teammates, it was nothing." She chuckled, waving it off like it really had been easy—though they both knew it wasn't.
