The Valentine Mansion hall was bathed in the pale glow of morning light, streaks of gold spilling through the tall windows as Luca adjusted the strap on his simple traveling clothes. Unlike the uniforms of the academy, today felt… lighter. Freer. His heartbeat quickened—not from battle this time, but from the anticipation of what awaited them throughout the continent.
One by one, the others arrived. Vincent entered first, calm and composed as always, his dark traveling cloak draped neatly around him. Kyle stumbled in right after, carrying a large travel pack that looked almost bigger than himself, muttering something about straps digging into his shoulders. Lilliane followed quietly, her steps hesitant, her pink braid bouncing lightly with each movement as she tried to adjust the weight of her own bag.
