The sound of footsteps faded into stillness.
All movement ceased as every student—First, Second, and Third Year alike—froze mid-step, turning slowly toward the voice that had just broken the heavy silence.
Their heads pivoted almost in unison, like a chorus of statues brought to life by disbelief.
The words of the leading Third Year hung awkwardly in the air, brittle and out of place, as if they didn't belong in the world that had just watched a brutal punishment unfold.
Dozens of eyes now rested on him—wide, blinking, and filled with confusion, shock… and fear.
To speak after Teacher Frederick had issued a command was not bold—it was insane.
He had told them to return to their rooms.
That was final.
Even his own friends recoiled slightly, glancing between each other in disbelief.
None of them had known.
None of them had expected that the quiet fear in their leader would twist into this reckless act.
