The corridor stretched before her, silent except for the echo of her footsteps. Lantern light trembled across her midnight-blue robes, illuminating the ancient runes etched into the cold stone walls—each one pulsing like a hidden heartbeat.
A student's nervous chuckle echoed behind her, a reminder of the exams ahead. She forced a smile and pressed on—only to freeze when someone brushed past her shoulder. A charcoal-gloved hand, a whisper of movement—but no face. Just the lingering ghost of a shadow.
Her breath hitched. Clasping a silver-sealed scroll to her chest, she took one trembling step forward. Whatever it contained… no one was meant to see it.
"Ready?" Alin's voice cut through the tension like a quiet promise.
She turned to see him—his lantern held low so only his calm gaze showed. He gave a small nod. "As ready as I'll ever be."
She inhaled, adjusting the fox-crested brooch pinned close to her heart. Together, they approached the massive oak doors carved with ancient symbols. As they passed through, torchlight surged to life, igniting the hall in a wash of golden warmth.
But the carved dais—shaped like an eye surrounded by fox and vines—was dead silent. Just as she took her seat, a soft tap reverberated from its base.
She froze, fingers brushing Alin's hand in shared shock. His squeeze was light, grounding.
A stern figure behind the dais cleared his throat. "Begin."
Every eye shifted, but her gaze remained fixed on the runes, the fox symbol, the source of that tap. This was no ordinary exam.