Marisse's expression shifted the moment the name left his lips.
A faint tightening at the corners of her mouth.
The briefest flicker in her gaze—recognition, and perhaps something else.
Then came the smile.
It was measured, deliberate… and entirely at odds with her eyes, which remained as cold and appraising as glass.
"Oh…" she said softly, as though tasting the sound of his name. "Lucavion."
She let it linger, drawing it out just enough to suggest familiarity.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."
Her tone gained a delicate lilt, the kind that pretended at politeness but dripped with judgment. "I had heard… that among this year's special students there was a certain ruffian. One whose manners were… lacking."
She gave a faint shrug, the motion practiced, dismissive. "Considering that, I really shouldn't have been surprised."
