The morning after my interrogation with Clarisse dawned tense but quiet. Breakfast was another subdued affair.
Marie glared daggers at me, Theodore avoided everyone's eyes, and Thomas gave me a quick, almost imperceptible nod – confirming our plans were still in motion.
Clarisse acted as if nothing had happened, coolly discussing necessary roof repairs with Iris.
The fragile peace held. The golden glitch hadn't manifested... yet.
After breakfast, desperate to work off the nervous energy and solidify the gains from my last dungeon run, I made my excuses and headed to my usual "practice" spot – the secluded patch of overgrown lawn behind the crumbling stables, dominated by a gnarled old oak tree.
I pulled out the `[Iron Rapier (D-Rank)]`, the cheap decoy I'd bought in Oakhaven. It felt heavy and clumsy compared to the memory of the `[Silverwind Rapier]` safely tucked away in my `[Inventory]`, but it was better than nothing. I needed to keep the muscle memory sharp.
