Chapter 88: Rumors Take Shape
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The academy morning felt heavier than usual. Normally the walk from the dormitory to the main halls carried the familiar sounds of chatter and routine, but today there was a different tone to it. Groups of first-year students clustered together in corners, voices lowered but urgent, words slipping quickly from one mouth to the next.
Arios stepped into the corridor with Lucy and Liza trailing beside him. He noticed it immediately. Heads turned, whispers started up when Amelia's name was mentioned, and then eyes darted away as soon as he looked in their direction.
Lucy frowned, hugging her notebook to her chest. "It's worse than yesterday. People aren't even trying to hide it anymore."
Liza's eyes moved lazily over the crowd, but her tone was sharp. "That's because the rumor isn't a rumor anymore. It's being treated like fact."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked quickly.
