Felix sat with his usual composed posture, observing the room quietly. His gaze shifted once toward the empty seat where Drake normally sat, then back to his book. He turned a page, but his eyes didn't seem to be reading.
Sable leaned slightly toward Lucien.
"Class feels... different," he whispered.
Lucien nodded once, his expression calm but thoughtful.
"Yes."
"Different how?" Sable asked.
"Quieter. Less fire."
"Oh." Sable thought about this. "I miss the fire."
Lucien nodded again.
At that moment, the door opened.
Alina stepped inside.
The room immediately settled, all eyes turning toward her.
She paused for a second, her eyes moving across the class, noticing everything in a single glance.
The quiet.
The empty seat.
The subtle way several children were looking toward the door.
The way Luna's ears were still angled toward the hallway.
A small, knowing smile touched her lips.
She walked in gently, her steps soft against the floor.
"Good morning," she said warmly.
