Adrian found the Mages' quarters remarkably quiet. Unlike the Knights who shared rooms in pairs, each Mage, despite their greater numbers, was granted their own private room.
This made Adrian's task of finding Serena simpler; there were no staff milling about to question his presence.
He simply climbed the stairs until he reached the floor he'd deduced contained Serena's room.
Locating the specific door, Adrian approached it. He pushed it gently, finding it locked, which wasn't a surprise.
He didn't knock. Instead, he activated his mana detector, scanning for her signature within.
The map, however, revealed only faint traces, more akin to lingering magic from crystals than a vibrant mana core.
This revelation made a cold dread settle in Adrian's chest. Fear for the worst clawed at him.
With a gentle but firm motion, he pulled the door slightly from its hinges, creating an opening just wide enough for him to slip through. The moment he was inside, he saw nothing.
