After leaving the Obsidian Ring, Aiden, along with Adrian, Sevan, Jarek, and Rupert walked through the academy halls, the murmurs of students still discussing Adrian's match echoing around them.
Despite the conversation and movement, the four of them carried a heavy silence. The weight of Adrian's loss seemed to be pressing down on them.
Aiden kept glancing at Sevan, who was uncharacteristically quiet, his fingers gripping the edges of the book he had pulled out earlier on Magic Theory.
Even Jarek, who usually has a loud presence, seemed to even sense the shift in mood. He shoved his hands into his pockets, rolling his shoulders. "Well, that was rough. Adrian put up a fight, though."
Sevan hummed in response but didn't look up from his book.
Aiden peeked at Sevan again, trying not to look at him outright.
