Chapter 103 - First Day of Second Year

The first light of morning spilled over the academy, catching the edges of the ancient stone walls and sending long, golden shafts across the cobblestone courtyards. A cool breeze stirred the banners that hung from the towers, making them flap softly and snap with a faint metallic clang where the rings met the poles. The smell of dew-damp earth mixed with the faint tang of burning torches from the lamps that still burned along the hallways, giving the air a crisp, clean scent that made Lira's chest lift with a quiet anticipation.