After finishing lunch, Cael set down his fork and looked at his teammates.
"I have a friend in Arhal city. I am going to meet him. What about you guys?"
Edwin wiped his mouth with a napkin and said,
"I will just look around."
Aria and Brania exchanged a glance. Aria spoke first.
"We decided to tour around a bit more."
Brania nodded.
"There is still a lot of the academy we haven't seen."
They walked out of the cafeteria together, the afternoon sun warm against their faces. At the entrance of the building, they bid farewell.
Then Cael softly said,
"Let's meet back at the guest dorm later."
Edwin gave a thumbs-up. Aria waved. Brania was already walking toward the eastern pathway.
Cael watched them go for a moment, then turned and walked in the opposite direction.
...
The afternoon sun hung high above the academy, casting sharp shadows across the designed stone pathways.
Elara Grace had a grim expression on her face as she searched the academy grounds.
