Professor Elara's sharp gaze lingered on Zane a moment longer before she spoke again, her tone colder but restrained.
"We'll leave the matter be for now. Just know this—we will be watching you closely."
Zane swallowed hard, nodding silently. The room's pressure felt heavier than ever as he turned and walked away.
His steps echoed down the stone corridor, but his eyes remained fixed on the sky outside the window.
There, the black Phoenix hovered—its unblinking gaze burning straight into him, as if peering deep into his soul.
The air around him grew colder, heavier.
A soft voice pulled him from the trance.
She was at his side, her brow furrowed with concern. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Zane glanced back at the empty sky and asked quietly, "Did you see anything? In the sky?"
Sera looked up, puzzled. "No... why? What do you mean?"
He shook his head and forced a smile. "Nothing. It's nothing."
But the weight of what only he had seen pressed down harder than ever.