The sunset painted Kiera Devereaux's office in shades of amber and gold, casting long shadows across the polished mahogany of her desk.
She stood at the tall windows overlooking the academy grounds, her silhouette sharp against the dying light.
From this vantage point, she could see students traversing the courtyard below, their voices a distant murmur on the evening breeze.
"This semesters looking a lot more promising than ever,"
She sighed watching students practice their spells on the ground.
As the newly appointed principal she needed to be prepared for what's to come, exams, excursions, lessons, and tournaments.
A principal like herself couldn't afford to disappoint her academy in her first year.
_Knock…knock…knock…_
A soft knock at the door broke her contemplation.
"Come in," she called without turning.
The door opened with a familiar creak, and Professor Riggs Bourne stepped inside, his weathered face grave beneath his neatly trimmed silver beard.
