Chapter 29
After leaving the admissions office, William made his way back to the dorms, the box of materials under his arm. The afternoon sun filtered through the academy's towering buildings, casting long shadows across the paths. As he walked, the sounds of students chattering and footsteps echoed around him, but William was lost in his thoughts. His mind was still replaying the events in the admissions office—the strange looks from the clerk, the woman's flirtatious behavior, and the unsettling call she made right after he left.
Reaching his dorm, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. His roommates were still nowhere to be found, which gave him a moment of peace. He placed the box on his bed and walked over to a small table where a bottle of water sat. Twisting the cap, he took a long drink, the cool liquid refreshing his dry throat. With a soft sigh, he set the bottle down and returned to the box, eager to see what had been given to him.