Part 1: Departure
From MC's Perspective:
Our conversation stretched long into the evening. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the Sub-Taboo Hall in a dim, golden light, I exchanged parting words with Sister Carolina and Senior Brother Gilbert.
Their eyes, though calm, held a quiet understanding—none of us needed to speak the truth lingering between us. With a slight nod, I turned and made my way out of the hall, the ancient stone walls seeming to whisper secrets as I left.
Walking back toward my dorm room, my thoughts whirled. The weight of the impending departure pressed on my mind. If my hunch was correct, the dean would summon me by morning. There was no avoiding it—my path was set. Yet, no one in the academy had any idea of what was to come.