The academy was louder than usual.
Not chaotic—
but expectant.
Students moved through corridors in clusters, voices overlapping.
"…Festival announcement was confirmed…"
"…Two weeks only…"
"…All clubs are required to attend the meeting…"
"…We need to prepare a stall…"
Lunivara walked through the corridor, steady as always.
But her attention shifted.
[Two weeks.]
Jude stepped into pace beside her, already holding a stack of documents.
"…There's a meeting later," he said.
"…All club officers are required."
Lunivara glanced at the papers in his hands.
"…Festival preparation?"
"…Yeah."
He adjusted the stack slightly.
"…Assignments, stalls, competition entries—everything gets decided today."
A small pause.
"…Attendance is not optional," Leontius added as he approached from the opposite side.
Jude exhaled lightly.
"…Vice ends up handling most of it."
A brief pause—then a faint grin.
"…So I'm not getting out of this anytime soon."
Lunivara tilted her head slightly.
"…That explains the documents."
Jude blinked—
then let out a quiet laugh.
"…You noticed?"
"…It was excessive."
"…That's organized work."
Leontius spoke without looking at them.
"…It was not organized."
Jude stared at him.
"…You really had to say that."
A small pause settled between them.
Not tense.
Just familiar.
They continued walking.
Groups of students passed them.
Excitement mixed with pressure.
"…We need materials…"
"…Deadlines are short…"
"…This year's competition will be stricter…"
Lunivara listened.
Not involved.
But aware.
Jude glanced at her.
"…You'll probably be pulled into it too."
"…Assistant duties will increase," she replied.
"…Yeah," Jude said.
"…They'll use you where it matters."
No complaint.
Just fact.
Leontius added quietly—
"…Efficiency will be prioritized."
Lunivara gave a small nod.
"…Understood."
A shift.
Voices nearby lowered slightly.
Different tone.
"…Did you hear about the dock?"
"…Something happened in the water…"
"…No storm, but the surface was disturbed…"
"…They said there was a mark…"
Lunivara's steps slowed—
just slightly.
[Already circulating.]
Jude noticed.
"…So it's spreading."
"…Yes," Lunivara said.
Leontius remained still for a moment.
Listening.
"…Faster than expected," Jude added.
"…It will escalate," Leontius said.
Silence followed.
Not loud.
But certain.
They reached the courtyard.
Open space.
Less confined.
Movement widened.
Visibility increased.
Leontius stopped.
Jude noticed immediately.
"…What?"
Leontius's gaze shifted—not toward people—
but past them.
Beyond them.
"…We are being observed."
Jude blinked.
"…Again?"
"…Yes."
Lunivara's expression didn't change.
But her awareness sharpened.
[Not coincidence.]
Jude lowered his voice.
"…From where?"
Leontius didn't answer immediately.
"…Not directly visible."
That was enough.
Jude exhaled.
"…That's not reassuring."
Lunivara looked toward the distant academy boundary.
Calm.
Measured.
"…The festival will increase exposure," she said.
Leontius nodded slightly.
"…Movement will become less controlled."
"…Which makes it easier for something to happen," Jude muttered.
A pause.
"…Yes," Leontius said.
Silence settled again.
Not fear.
Not yet.
But awareness.
Lunivara spoke quietly—
"…If the disturbance was intentional…"
"…then repetition is possible."
Jude rubbed the back of his neck.
"…Great. So we're dealing with something that watches and repeats."
"…Correct," Leontius replied.
"…That's not comforting."
A small pause.
"…It is information," Lunivara said.
Jude glanced at her.
Then let out a quiet laugh.
"…You really process everything like a report."
"…It is efficient."
Leontius added—
"…It is useful."
Jude looked between them.
"…You two are impossible."
For a moment—
the tension eased.
Slightly.
But not gone.
Because somewhere—
beyond the visible walls of the academy—
something had already taken notice.
And now—
it was watching more closely.
End of Chapter 21