The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Academy grounds as Noah trudged back from the Year 3 training hall, muscles aching from his session with Lucas Grey. His mind was still processing the new lessons Lucas had taught him when he spotted Kelvin pacing anxiously near the entrance to their dormitory building.
Something in Kelvin's demeanor—the tense shoulders, the uncharacteristically still hands—set Noah immediately on edge.
"What's wrong?" Noah asked as he approached.
Kelvin's head snapped up, relief washing over his features before being replaced by something more complicated. "We need to talk. Not here."
They walked in silence to a secluded spot behind the dormitory, sheltered by the building's shadow and a stand of tall shrubs that muffled sound.
It was one of their usual spots for private conversations, chosen for its isolation from both eyes and ears. They used this back when they were planning one of Kelvin's heist to disturb the school.
