The upper chamber of the Student Council tower was lit by steady crystal lamps — not bright, but clinical, designed to minimize fatigue. The table in the center stretched in a wide oval, built from polished blackwood reinforced with mana circuits.
At the far end sat Damien Ravencroft, his posture measured as always. Papers and rune-sheets were arranged before him in perfect order. A single stylus rested in his hand, unmoving.
Around the table, other members occupied their seats, murmuring quietly as data logs streamed across the suspended projection wall.
Instructor Garron's name was gone. His record, officially deleted after his expulsion, had been purged from all visible indices. In its place, however, the logs had begun to show new irregularities — subtle, but unmistakable to anyone paying attention.
Damien waited until the murmurs faded. Then he spoke.
"Before we begin with general reports, I want confirmation on the interference during the lower-floor exam."
