At noon, the dazzling sun hung high in the azure sky, lavishly pouring its blazing light and heat over the sprawling campus of Glory Kael Magic Academy.
The flagstone paths reflected a blinding white glare. Neatly trimmed shrubs and flower beds beside them brimmed with life in the sunlight, and even the dust drifting through the air seemed to dance like flecks of gold.
Having finished their morning classes, students streamed out of the teaching buildings in small groups, most wearing relaxed smiles as they headed for the cafeteria or library, or sought comfortable corners beneath the trees on the lawns to enjoy this precious midday respite.
Laughter and youthful exuberance painted a vibrant picture of campus life at noon.
Yet, as everyone knew, people's joys and sorrows were not shared.
Amid this tide of general cheer, one figure stood out like a stubborn patch of ice that refused to melt in the sunlight.
His steps were unconsciously stiff, his back held so straight it seemed tense. His amber eyes scanned his surroundings warily, and the slightest disturbance could instantly put him on alert, ready to act.
His face, handsome even in its guarded state, held none of the ease or pleasure of those around him. There was only irritation mixed with the heightened vigilance of someone convinced that everyone was out to get him.
This was none other than Greg Sass.
Since his exhaustion was mainly mental and his physical injuries were only superficial, Greg had gone straight to arrange his discharge without waking Sylvia.
He had wanted to leave this cold surface world immediately and return to the Dungeon, which was as warm and welcoming as home.
However, as the immutable law of his negative ten luck dictated, barring anything unexpected, something unexpected had indeed happened.
Just as