The week after the festival felt slower, as though the whole university had exhaled and was now resting. The colorful stalls, bright lights, and laughter were gone, but the memory of them lingered in conversations between students. Everywhere Kael went, he heard people reminiscing about the games, the food, and the performances.
Kael actually felt lighter. He still carried worries inside, but lately, life at the university seemed almost…normal.
Monday morning began with a literature class. The room was filled with the smell of chalk and coffee, and sunlight spilled lazily through the tall windows.
Kael dropped into his seat with a yawn, his notebook half-open. A moment later, Jordan appeared and slumped into the chair next to him. His hair was still messy, as if he'd just rolled out of bed.
"Man, if this professor recites another poem about spring, I'm walking out," Jordan muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Kael grinned. "What, you hate poetry?"
Jordan smirked. "At eight in the morning? Yeah, I do."
Behind them, Riven walked in—neat, calm, carrying his books like always. He sat down next to Kael, his posture perfect, his expression unreadable.
"Say what, don't you have any specialization classes of your own subject of journalism?" Jordan threw the question at Riven while slumping back at the desk.
" I do. But it is the mandatory subject just so you know."
Kael kind of understood that Riven is actually trying to get as close to Kael as he can to protect him for dangerous circumstances. And he was kind of grateful for it.
The professor began the lecture with great enthusiasm, quoting verses about rebirth and blooming flowers. Half the students groaned. Kael doodled on the edge of his notebook, his mind drifting. He glanced at Riven's notebook—pages already filled with neat handwriting.
Jordan leaned closer and whispered, "Bet he's memorized the whole syllabus already."
Kael chuckled softly. Maybe Jordan wasn't wrong.
By afternoon, the sun was warm, and the courtyard was full of voices. Kael, Jordan, and Riven sat under a shady tree, their lunches spread out on the grass.
Jordan unwrapped a sandwich and shoved half of it at Kael. "Here, eat this. You look like you'll faint any second."
Kael smirked. "Thanks, dad."
"Shut up," Jordan laughed, tossing a chip at him.
Riven ate quietly, listening more than talking. Kael had noticed that—how Riven stayed close but rarely interrupted, as though he was always observing.
Jordan suddenly pointed toward the central fountain. "Hey, you see that guy? He's new, right?"
Kael turned his head. A tall student stood by the fountain, wearing a dark jacket, hands in his pockets. He didn't mingle with anyone, just leaned against the stone, head lowered.
"I don't think I've seen him in class," Kael said.
Jordan shrugged. "Weird vibe."
Kael looked at Riven. His gaze lingered on the figure for a second longer than usual. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't comment.
Kael wanted to ask, but Jordan launched into a story about their economics professor falling asleep mid-sentence. Laughter filled their little circle, and the strange figure slipped from Kael's thoughts—at least for now.
That evening, Kael dragged himself to the library. Exams were coming closer, and Jordan had bullied him into studying.
The tall shelves smelled of old paper. Kael found a corner table and opened his books. Ten minutes later, Riven appeared with a stack of heavy reference texts.
"You're here too?" Kael asked.
Riven nodded. "These will help you understand better."
Kael groaned. "That looks like torture."
But as Riven explained things step by step, Kael's notes became clearer. Hours passed in the quiet hum of turning pages.
When Kael finally leaned back, stretching, he noticed something at the far end of the hall.
A figure stood by the exit. Tall. Dark jacket. Unmoving.
The same one Jordan had pointed out.
Kael blinked, but when he looked again, the figure was gone.
A chill ran down his back.
The next day, rain poured over the campus. Students rushed with umbrellas, shoes splashing in puddles.
Kael, Jordan, and Riven sat in the cafeteria, sipping hot tea. The windows fogged up from the warmth inside.
Jordan tapped his notebook. "Our group project is due next week. We should meet tomorrow to start."
Kael groaned. "Do we have to?"
"Yes," Jordan said firmly. "We're meeting at my dorm. Don't even try to ditch."
Riven nodded. "It'll be easier if we divide the work."
Kael sighed dramatically. "You two are ruining my freedom."
Jordan threw a crumpled napkin at him. "We're saving you from failing, idiot."
The three of them laughed, while the rain softened outside. For a moment, everything felt safe.
But Kael still remembered the silent figure in the library. Watching.
That night, Kael couldn't sleep. He wandered across the quiet campus, his shoes splashing in leftover puddles.
The fountain glowed faintly under a street lamp. Kael stopped, listening to the silence.
Then—movement.
The figure stood there again. Dark jacket. Still. Head slightly tilted, as if studying Kael.
Kael's heart thumped.
"Who… who are you?" he called.
No answer.
The figure didn't move, just watched. Then, without a sound, it turned and disappeared into the shadows.
Kael stood frozen, his pulse racing, before finally forcing himself back to his dorm. He barely slept at all.
The next day, Kael didn't tell anyone. Not even Riven or Jordan. Maybe it was his imagination.
But during class, as he bent over his notebook, he suddenly felt something brush his mind. A whisper, faint and cold.
Kael.
His pen slipped. He jerked upright, scanning the room. Nothing. Students were dozing, the professor droning on.
Only Riven noticed his unease. He leaned closer and asked quietly, "What's wrong?"
Kael shook his head. "Nothing."
But inside, he knew something was wrong.
The calm university days were beginning to crack. Shadows were slipping in.