60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT50LDfSP70"How convenient of him to omit the location of his private sanctum," Eilara murmured, her voice laced with frustration. Her eyes traced the intricate lines of the campus map, yet the office remained elusive. Professor Alark was a man shrouded in whispers—rumors suggested he had been a prisoner five years ago, a history that perhaps explained why Lira seemed so utterly petrified in his presence.
"Starjewel!" The cry shattered her thoughts. Eilara whipped her head toward the practice field, where a lone figure commanded the space. Cloaked in a mantle of deepest crimson, the stranger faced away from her, his voice rising in an ancient chant. As he executed a seamless backflip, plumes of ashen energy erupted from his fingertips, swirling like smoke in the air.
When he landed, his hood slipped, revealing a cascade of long, dark green hair and a face of striking, ethereal beauty. His eyes held a predatory twinkle as he sparred with the invisible air. Beads of perspiration rolled down the sharp line of his jaw, falling into the vibrant, royal blue grass beneath his boots. Abruptly, he ceased his movements, pulled his hood back over his brow, and began to stride toward the hall.
"Do you require something?" he asked, his gaze fixing on Eilara.
"N-no!" she stammered, her fingers knotting together in a fit of nerves.
"You have been watching me for quite some time," he noted calmly. "It is only 2:42."
Eilara fumbled for her composure, holding up the heavy iron key in her palm. "I’ve been summoned to visit Professor Alark," she explained.
The stranger’s expression shifted to one of mild surprise. "You, too, were invited?"
"What do you mean?" Eilara asked, her heart quickening.
In response, he produced an identical key from the folds of his cloak. "I am expected as well."
"Do you know why we’ve been called?"
He simply shook his head, allowing the hood to fall back to his shoulders once more. When his piercing turquoise eyes met her own crystal blue gaze, the world seemed to narrow. It felt as though invisible tethered ropes were tightening between them, pulling them toward a shared destiny. He seemed to feel the weight of the connection as well, for he jerked his gaze away, clearing his throat.
"He does not care to be kept waiting," he muttered, turning toward the shadows of the corridor. "Let us go."
Eilara nodded, her resolve hardening. "Let’s go. For real this time."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvNmqNjCPH
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