"Starry Sanctum? The name sounds pretty impressive, but the place itself… honestly, it's pretty disappointing," Alan blurted out instinctively, giving his frank assessment.
Blanche's brows immediately knitted together.
"Mind your words!" she snapped. "This place was once one of Sirius Academy's most important sanctums. Even if it has fallen into decay now, I won't allow you to disrespect it, not even half a word!"
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more," Alan said hastily, raising both hands in a gesture of surrender.
Blanche sighed heavily and rubbed her forehead before composing herself again. Her voice grew serious.
"I'm not joking with you, Alan. Back in the day, Sirius Academy's glory was something even Lioncrest Academy could not hope to rival. When we spoke of 'a sky filled with shining stars,' it wasn't just poetic fantasy—it was our reality."
Alan smiled slightly, then pointed toward a ruin covered in moss and creeping ivy.
