They turned down a narrow hallway leading to the main hall, the walls lined with floating candles, their flames glowing with a soft violet hue. The air was thick with enchantments, the kind that sent ripples of energy through their skin as they walked past. Just as they started talking about the academy again, Xavier froze, his eyes narrowing.
"Hold on," he whispered. “Someone’s watching us.”
Without warning, a figure lunged from the shadows, a blade aimed right at Aji’s side. But Aji’s reflexes, honed through countless battles, were faster. In a smooth, fluid motion, he sidestepped, deflecting the attack with his arm and twisting his body to counter the stranger.
“Well, someone’s quick,” a smooth, almost lazy voice echoed in the dim corridor. The mysterious figure stood up, her dark bl
