The moment Erik walked away, the air around her shifted.
Seraphina could feel it. The silence wasn't silent. It pulsed with whispers. Students turned to watch her with barely concealed curiosity — or contempt.
Cam leaned in slightly. "You feel that?"
She didn't need to answer. Her name had just jumped two ranks on the board. Rank 11.
"Great," Cam muttered. "Now they think you're sleeping your way up."
A soft, venom-laced laugh came from behind her.
"Cute how the table trembles when Erik speaks," said a girl with icy white hair pinned in golden loops. "Makes sense now. She's the one."
Seraphina turned.
Three girls stood behind her. All wore the House Hollow crest — a pale skull etched in silver. Their robes were tailored too perfectly, clean magic scenting the silk.
The girl in the center smiled like a knife. "I'm Viessa. House Hollow. Violet Circle."
Cam rolled her eyes. "Power-hungry bootlickers. Ignore them."
But Seraphina didn't. "Do you need something?"
"Oh, no," Viessa said sweetly. "Just came to see if the rumors were true. Erik never speaks to anyone outside the Houses. Until today."
"And?" Seraphina asked.
Viessa's smile tightened. "And now you're Rank 11. That's... suspicious."
Another girl, the one with emerald rings and sharp cheekbones, leaned forward. "People talk. Especially when nobodies get noticed."
"I'd hate to be you," said the third. "The ones who rise fast... tend to fall harder."
Seraphina stood slowly. "Is that a threat?"
Viessa stepped closer. "It's a prophecy."
Cam moved between them. "Back off."
Viessa's smile broke for real this time. Ugly. Raw. "See you at combat trials, Seraphina. Let's see if that ranking means anything."
And just like that, the Violet Circle turned and walked off — hips swaying, power rippling behind them.
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