Ever since the living dead had attacked students at Ark Academy in the Golden Star Empire, the other academies, along with the entire Royal Academy, had gone on high alert. The Patrol Team changed shifts every six hours.
When Jian Tongyao emerged from the Ice Hall, she saw a group of patrol members pass in front of her. There were about fifteen of them, all wearing matching uniforms with red cloth bands tied over them. She could vaguely make out the character for "patrol" on the bands.
She continued forward without betraying anything, but after only two steps, she had to stop.
"Stop."
"What is it?"
No matter how cold and aloof she pretended to be, Jian Tongyao's heart was pounding like a drum. She had been away for years and knew nothing about the Royal Academy's current situation. Had the patrol called out to her because they had discovered something?
One of the patrol members looked her up and down. "Which hall are you from? What are you wandering around outside for at this hour?"
Jian Tongyao cast him a sidelong glance. An idea struck her, and she took the potion master's robe she had almost forgotten from Love Entwined and draped it over herself. "May I go now?" she asked coolly.
"I'm asking you a question! Didn't you hear me? You're not some spy, are you? You think throwing on a robe makes you-"
"Wait." The patrol captain grabbed the hand the man had reached toward her. "A potion master from the Pharmacy Institute. My apologies. He's new and doesn't know better. I'll make sure he learns."
"Then may I go?"
"Take care, miss. Unless you have to, it's best not to come outside. It's dangerous."
In those few breaths, Jian Tongyao's back had broken out in a