The next day the corridors of the academy were busy again, filled with chatter after the practicum had wrapped up. Saely, Rapheldor, and Vencian stepped out together, their pace uneven among the crowd.
Vencian noticed first. Saely wasn't breaking away with her usual wave or smile. She walked at their side without much of a word, her gaze fixed ahead.
Rapheldor cleared his throat. "You seem different today, Saely. Is something wrong?"
She gave a quick shake of her head. "I'm fine."
Vencian tilted his chin, his voice edged with a touch of curiosity that always seemed rehearsed. "What about your friend? You normally run straight to her."
"She won't be around for a while," Saely said, shifting her satchel higher on her shoulder. "She managed to trip on some nonsense, hurt herself, and now she's on leave. Nothing serious."
She gave a short nod to both of them, then walked off down the hall without another word.
Rapheldor frowned after her. "That was unlike her."
