The corridor felt quieter than the courtyard.
But not safer.
Riser walked between Lyra and Ravel, with Elira just ahead—leading, but not rushing.
Like she knew he'd follow anyway.
"…You going to explain," Riser said after a few seconds, "or are we just walking into something blindly?"
Elira didn't turn.
"…Depends."
"…On what?"
"…On whether you'd still come if I told you everything."
Riser snorted softly.
"…That's not reassuring."
Lyra's voice came flat.
"…It means no."
"…Figured."
They turned down a narrower hallway.
Less traffic.
Fewer students.
The further they went—
The quieter it got.
"…This isn't academy standard," Riser muttered.
Ravel answered.
"…It's not."
"…Hidden section?"
"…Restricted."
"…Same difference."
Elira stopped at a door.
Plain.
Unmarked.
She placed her hand against it.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
The air shifted.
Not visibly.
But—
Present.
The door opened silently.
"…After you," Elira said.
Riser didn't move immediately.
He looked at Ravel.
"…This the part where you tell me not to go?"
She met his gaze.
"…No."
"…That's new."
"…This is necessary."
That was enough.
Riser stepped inside.
The space beyond—
Was not what he expected.
It wasn't a room.
Not exactly.
It was larger.
Too large.
Like the inside didn't match the outside.
"…Of course," he muttered.
"…Another one of these."
Lyra stepped in behind him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Different from the layer."
"…Yeah."
Because this—
Was stable.
Not broken.
Not collapsing.
Controlled.
The lighting was dim.
Soft.
Figures stood in small clusters across the room.
Not crowded.
Not loud.
But—
Present.
Watching.
"…So this is it," Riser said quietly.
Elira walked forward.
"This is where the real conversations happen."
Riser scanned the room.
No one approached immediately.
Which meant—
They were waiting.
"…I don't like this," Lyra muttered.
"…You don't like anything about today."
"…Correct."
Ravel stepped slightly ahead.
"…Stay composed."
"…I always am."
"…You've been lucky."
"…That too."
A figure separated from one of the groups.
And approached.
Not quickly.
Not slowly.
Deliberately.
"…Riser."
The voice was calm.
Smooth.
Riser turned.
And for the first time since entering—
He felt something shift.
Not pressure.
Presence.
Different from Kael.
Different from Arden.
Sharper.
"…You've been busy," she said.
Riser raised an eyebrow.
"…I try."
She stopped a few steps away.
Elegant posture.
Controlled movement.
Everything about her—
Precise.
"…Seris Valencrest."
Of course.
Riser exhaled softly.
"…I was wondering when that name would come up again."
Seris studied him.
Not openly.
But thoroughly.
"…You handled Arden well."
"…He's good."
"…He is."
A pause.
"…You're better than expected."
"…That seems to be the theme today."
A faint hint of something touched her expression.
Not quite a smile.
"…Expectations are important."
"…So I've been told."
She stepped slightly closer.
"…And yours are changing."
Riser met her gaze.
"…Are they?"
"…Yes."
Simple.
Direct.
No hesitation.
"…Then I guess I'll have to keep up."
"…You will."
Another pause.
Then—
"…Or you'll be removed from consideration."
Lyra shifted slightly beside him.
"…That sounded like a threat."
Seris didn't look at her.
"…It was a statement."
Riser smirked faintly.
"…Good to know."
Because that—
Was honest.
And honesty—
Was easier to deal with than manipulation.
Even if it came wrapped in it.
"…You're not aligned yet," Seris continued.
"…With anyone."
"…Working on that."
"…You should."
A pause.
"…Before someone else decides for you."
Riser tilted his head slightly.
"…That sounds like advice."
"…It is."
"…From someone who wants what?"
Finally—
A shift.
Not in her posture.
In her eyes.
"…Control."
No hesitation.
No denial.
Riser let out a quiet breath.
"…Yeah."
That tracked.
"…I'll keep that in mind."
Seris held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then—
"…Do."
And just like that—
She stepped back.
Not retreating.
Withdrawing.
Back into the crowd.
"…I don't like her," Lyra said immediately.
"…You don't like anyone today."
"…She's worse."
"…She's dangerous," Ravel corrected calmly.
Riser watched Seris rejoin her group.
"…Yeah."
Because that wasn't a fight.
That was—
Positioning.
And he was already in the middle of it.
"…That's one," he muttered.
"Not even close," Elira said lightly.
Before he could respond—
Another presence shifted.
This one—
Different.
Not controlled like Seris.
Not direct like Kael.
Something else.
"…So this is him."
The voice was softer.
But carried.
Riser turned.
A woman stood a short distance away.
Dark attire.
Light step.
And eyes that didn't just look—
They studied.
"…You're interesting," she said.
Riser exhaled slowly.
"…I'm hearing that a lot."
She tilted her head slightly.
"…Not like this."
A pause.
"…Ilyra Voss."
Of course.
Riser rubbed his temple lightly.
"…Alright."
Another one.
Another layer.
"…Let's see where this goes."