Thion allowed his gaze to drift slowly across the hall, sweeping over rows upon rows of students without ever narrowing in on a single face. Yet somehow, each person felt seen, as if his attention rested briefly on them alone. The last traces of his voice echoed faintly against the vaulted ceiling before dissolving into a stillness that carried its own gravity.
"I must say, you all aren't looking bad at all," he continued, drawing in a measured breath before letting his words settle into the room. His tone carried the same firm authority he was known for, but beneath it lay a quiet softness, a subtle warmth that had not always been there. "You look healthy, capable—much like you did half a year ago. Perhaps even sharper now."
