Night settled quietly over Damon's dormitory, the faint glow of the academy lights filtering through the window as the distant hum of the campus faded into a calm stillness, leaving the room wrapped in a composed, almost deliberate silence. Damon stood near his desk, exhaling slowly as if aligning his thoughts one final time before stepping forward, his fingers brushing across the surface of his manacron.
"It's time…" he muttered under his breath.
With a few precise inputs, the device activated, and within seconds, a holographic figure materialized before him, its light stabilizing into the form of a middle-aged man whose presence carried both authority and familiarity.
Damon straightened slightly.
"Good evening… Count Halewind," he greeted, his tone respectful yet measured.
The man on the other side broke into a hearty laugh almost immediately, his voice rich and unrestrained.
