{I deeply apologise for the inconveniences I had caused you guys.)
After several more minutes of more conversation, Selene returned to their wagon.
Inside, she found Alaric still resting against the cushions, his breathing steady and eyes half-lidded in exhaustion.
The without disturbing him, she settled into her seat across from him.
Clip-Clop! Clip-Clop!
Soon the wagon lurched into motion, wheels grinding against cobblestone as they began their journey home.
Selene sat in silence, arms folded, eyes fixed on the boy with quiet intensity. There was a strange, simmering curiosity in her gaze.
The trial's events were still reverberating in her mind.
Whoosh!
Then, with a subtle breath, she released a thread of her Essence, just enough to scan his rank.
Let's see how much you were hiding, she mused.
Though a moment later, her pupils narrowed slightly.
E+? Just… E+ rank?
Her mind reeled.
That Asher had been at least a D+, perhaps even C-.
She furrowed her brows.
