Arden swallowed and looked down at the floor.
"N-nothing… nothing, teacher," he said in a hushed voice.
Darel turned his gaze to Riven. His expression was serious.
Riven silently walked away, each step echoing with determination.
Arden left as well.
Darel turned to Elian.
"What happened here?" he asked.
Elian still seemed shaken.
"T-teacher… Riven… that boy… what?"
His voice trembled.
"I looked into his eyes… it was like I saw death itself. That moment… it pierced through my soul. I shook. It was… truly terrifying."
Darel said nothing. A long silence fell.
---
Riven went to his room.
He threw himself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I need to rest a bit…" he whispered.
"Today… was overwhelming enough."
Slowly, his eyes closed.
---
Was this a dream?
He was in darkness.
It felt as if he were sinking to the bottom of a deep ocean.
Everything was silent, heavy, and calm.
He closed his eyes, drifting in a peaceful emptiness.
But then… that voice echoed.
Demon:
"You're sleeping, aren't you, Levin?"
Its voice was ominous, coming from the depths.
"Yet I… am your darkness. Even your dreams, I write them."