Elias was in the middle of a story, gesturing with both hands as he recounted how one of the assistant professors had covered himself up head to toe and slipped into his booth at the betting tables with all the subtlety of a rhinoceros. His words tumbled out with laughter, animated as ever. But Kain didn't hear the end of the anecdote.
He froze.
The world narrowed to a single flash of color—a lock of deep purple hair gliding through the crowd.
Elias blinked as Kain suddenly cut him off, muttering a rushed apology before bolting into the mass of people. "Hey—what—?" Elias' words chased after him, but Kain was already gone.
His pulse pounded in his ears as he pushed through the Dark Moon students, staff and fans lingering near the teleportation array until the designated time came. He barely noticed the grumbled protests or the swish of rolled up support banners brushing against him. His eyes were locked on that one figure, weaving farther ahead.
Airalai. It had to be her.
