Far from the academy, beneath a massive mountain rock that shielded the ground from the open sky, a small group stood in silence.
It wasn't raining, yet none of them dared to step beyond the stone's shelter.
There were three of them—two men and one woman. They had been there for nearly an hour, exchanging no words since their arrival, only a brief nod in acknowledgment.
The wind whispered through the dried leaves scattered around their feet.
Then, the air shifted—subtle at first, but strong enough that everyone felt it.
The leaves began to swirl, forming a small vortex. When they finally settled, two new figures stood where the whirlwind had formed.
One was a short man, his face nearly hidden beneath an overgrown beard that made it hard to distinguish his features. Beside him stood a tall woman in a wide-brimmed hat that cast a shadow over her eyes. Her red lips, however, curved into a knowing smile.
