Elara slowed by half a step.
Lucavion had already turned his attention toward the corridor ahead, where pale mana-lamps cast measured pools of light across the stone. Tall windows overlooked one of the Academy's inner courtyards, and the first gold of evening stretched across the floor between the shadows of narrow pillars. Students moved through those fading bands farther ahead, their voices softened by distance and the heavy walls.
His observation had been delivered with the same simple certainty as his earlier praise. Selenne had already measured Elara's knowledge, yet she had continued questioning because something in Elara's reasoning interested her. Lucavion had spoken as though the distinction were obvious, recorded and understood rather than merely guessed from a single examination.
The familiarity in his tone caught against Elara's thoughts.
'You sound certain.'
She glanced toward him. "You speak as though you know Magister Selenne."
