The lecture dragged on. History of Magic was dry enough on a normal day, but with a throbbing nose and a classroom thick with tension, it felt like torture.
Finally, the bell was about to ring.
Instructor Samantha closed her textbook with a sharp thud that woke up half the back row.
"Before you leave," she said, her voice cutting through the rustle of packing bags. "A reminder."
She swept her gaze across the room, lingering for a fraction of a second on Kael, then me.
"The Mid-Semester Assessments will begin next week."
The room erupted into a chorus of misery.
"Ughhh…"
"Already?"
"I haven't even memorized the mana circuits yet!"
"Silence," Samantha commanded. The groans died instantly. "Prepare yourselves. This assessment will determine your ranking for the field missions next month. Dismissed."
She turned on her heel and marched out, her cape flowing behind her like a storm cloud.
*****
[The Corridor]
Students spilled out into the hallway, eager to get to lunch.
