Kyle's POV
It had been more than an hour since Seraphina had left with the others to investigate and clear the shrine. Despite multiple attempts to contact them through the communication crystals, none of them had responded to my calls.
Growing increasingly worried and no longer willing to remain passive, I stood up and addressed my surrounding team members with urgency.
"I need to be direct with all of you. Something might have happened to Seraphina and her team at that shrine," I announced grimly.
One of my teammates looked genuinely shocked by this possibility. "How is that even possible? Who could defeat Seraphina and the team accompanying her? Are you certain you're not being overly paranoid, Kyle?"
The concern was understandable. Seraphina was widely recognized as one of the top five strongest students in the entire academy. Her legendary bloodline wasn't something that could be easily overcome by ordinary opponents.
