Aria's POV
The next few days passed in a haze of supervised normalcy that felt anything but normal. Hayes continued following me around like the world's most persistent shadow, while I pretended to be a model student focused on historical research and academic excellence.
Meanwhile, my brain was constantly cataloging every interaction with Professor Aldrin, every glance from Lander, every conversation that stopped when I walked by.
Paranoia, it turned out, was exhausting.
The breakthrough came during Thursday's advanced combat strategy class—Aldrin's class, naturally. He was discussing tactical advantages in territorial disputes when a messenger arrived with an urgent note for one of the students.
"Heir Blackthorne," Aldrin called out, "you're needed in the Headmaster's office immedia
