Initially, this wasn't supposed to have happened.
It all began the day the villa systems fully adjusted to Michael's presence.
Every villa owned by a top-ranking student had its own adaptive system that attuned itself to the owner's mana signature. When the system synchronized with Michael, it immediately began to shift.
The temperature dropped slightly. The lighting dimmed, settling into a soft gray hue that cast long, thin shadows against the walls. Even the gentle warmth that most villas maintained was replaced by a crisp chill that clung faintly to the skin.
To Michael, it was perfect.
He felt relaxed the moment he stepped in. The cool air reminded him of calm nights in Thornvale. The stillness soothed his thoughts, allowing his mind to drift easily into concentration.
But to others, it was the opposite.
