The instant Richard emerged on the other side of the portal, he felt a rush of cold air sting his cheeks.
The corridor was wider and gloomier than the usual E-Rank fare—walls slick with dark moisture, the flickering mage-lights mounted at intervals flickering with odd, inky undertones. No wonder the seniors were milling about with uncertain frowns.
Before anyone noticed, Richard slid his Mirror Daggers into his inventory. A quick flicker of his hand, subtle as a sigh, and they were gone. Too fast for prying eyes, and luckily, no one was watching him anyway.
By the time anyone turned back to see him, Richard stood there as if he'd never brandished a blade in his life.
"Right," he said aloud, in a calm, low voice that nevertheless carried through the tension. "We've got a bit of a situation."
Nadia, eyes wide, edged closer.
Adrian, who was front and centre, shot Richard a contemptuous glare. "Situation? What are you talking about?"
