Everyone in the vast training hall stared with widened eyes as Christopher walked out from the gateway, his hands tucked casually in his pockets.
A collective murmur rippled through the assembled students. The training exercise, designed to test their abilities and teamwork, had just concluded.
"Wow! Good job, big brother!" Katherine exclaimed, her face lighting up. She rushed towards him, launching herself into his arms with a joyful leap.
"It is nothing," Christopher chuckled, easily catching her.
"Hmm..."
Monica stared at Christopher for a few seconds, her gaze piercing. She then slowly nodded her head. "And this concludes today's test..." she said, her voice devoid of warmth, a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes playing on her lips.
The Dean noticed Monica's subtle shift in demeanor but remained silent. He turned to Christopher, Advika, Mitchell, and Mariana.
