The election day arrived with unusual stillness.
No last-minute campaigning was permitted on this day itself—Academy rules were strict about that. All materials had to be down by midnight. All speeches concluded. Now it was simply a matter of waiting.
The voting itself was conducted through essence-secured ballots in the Grand Hall. Students filed through in organized groups by house and year, each casting their vote into enchanted urns that would tabulate results automatically and prevent tampering.
The process took most of the day.
Alaric voted early, selecting Verelia's name with calm deliberation. The essence seal activated, confirming his choice was recorded, and he left without fanfare.
He spent the rest of the day observing.
The nervous energy in Silver Crown was palpable. Students clustered in groups, speculating about outcomes, making last-minute predictions. Some were confident their candidate would win. Others seemed resigned to disappointment.
