By the time we returned to Residence Five, I had already decided that winning the orientation exam had been a mistake.
First place created expectations.
Expectations created responsibility.
Responsibility created work.
The progression was obvious.
Unfortunately, the rest of Class Five seemed incapable of recognizing the danger.
They were still celebrating.
Several conversations filled the common lounge as students discussed the illusion, the rankings, and which parts of the examination they had apparently performed well in.
I ignored most of it.
My destination was upstairs.
More specifically, my room.
I had been awake for far too long already.
Dream Haven rested beneath one arm as I crossed the common hall and approached the staircase.
Only a few more steps.
Then privacy.
A bed.
Silence.
Possibly several uninterrupted hours of sleep if nobody discovered where my room was.
"Lord Vortex?"
I stopped with one foot on the first stair.
Terrible timing.
