The academy bell rang across the campus. The sound echoed off stone towers and wide courtyards, signaling the start of another day.
Students scattered into their usual routines—some heading to classes, others gathering in groups, talking about missions and gossiping about duels from the day before.
Selena, however, was trying to search for kael.
She had been trying to find him since dawn, holding a heavy book under her arm.
Her eyes darted from left to right while walking.
"Where did he go?" she muttered, peering into an empty classroom.
She had checked the dormitory, the mess hall, even the small library tucked beside the garden, but Kael was nowhere to be found.
As she walked past the courtyard, she noticed a group of first-year students lounging lazily under the sunlight, basking in its warmth.
"Excuse me," Selena said, stepping toward them.
"Have you seen Kael?"
