She smiled, the faintest curve of her lips. "Four, wasn't it? Wind, water, lightning, and space. Quite the combination."
He inclined his head slightly. "Yes."
"Impressive."
Her gaze drifted to the window again. "You remind me of someone I once taught. Brilliant. Driven. Always chasing answers he shouldn't."
Merlin said nothing.
After a moment, she turned back to him. "Be careful, Merlin. Power like yours attracts attention, both from within this academy and beyond it."
There was something in her tone that made him pause. Not fear, warning.
He gave a small nod. "Understood."
"Good."
She waved a hand, dismissing him. "Go. Rest. Tomorrow, the investigation begins."
As he stepped out into the dim corridor, the door closed softly behind him.
The others were waiting just a few steps away.
Elara leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her lilac eyes fixed on him.
"What did she want?" she asked quietly.
Merlin shrugged slightly. "Nothing important."
