The tension that had gripped the square fractured the instant Luca saw him.
Professor Aldric.
For a heartbeat, the noise dulled. The murmurs, the shifting boots, the unease hanging in the air—all of it faded as Luca's lips curved into a genuine, relieved smile. His chest loosened, warmth blooming where dread had sat for far too long.
He made it…
Aldric stood at the far end of the hall, night-worn cloak still clinging to his shoulders, silver-threaded hair slightly disheveled as if he had come in haste. Yet despite that, his presence alone grounded the space. Solid. Familiar. Safe.
Luca exhaled slowly.
Around him, confusion rippled.
Seraphina tilted her head, crimson eyes narrowing slightly. "That's… Professor Aldric?"
Halreth folded his arms, brow furrowing. "He looks like he ran straight through hell to get here."
They didn't have long to speculate.
Seraphina took a step forward, voice cutting clearly through the air.
"Where were you, Professor Aldric?"
