The academy settled into evening.
The golden light of the setting sun stretched long shadows across the stone paths.
Quiet.
Calm.
Deceptive.
Han stood alone in a secluded corridor.
A letter in his hand.
Unsealed.
Unsent.
His eyes lingered on the blank space for a moment longer than necessary.
"…Why am I even doing this…" he muttered.
He already knew the answer.
Because something felt wrong.
Li Xian's father's sudden visit.
His words.
That look.
And most of all—
The way his name was spoken.
Han's grip on the brush tightened slightly.
He didn't like it.
Didn't trust it.
And even though—
He didn't want to be involved—
His hand moved anyway.
Ink touched paper.
Father,
Li Xian's father visited the academy today.
His behavior was… unusual.
You may already be aware, but I believe this is not a simple visit.
Han paused.
His expression darkened slightly.
"…Tell him I miss him."
The words echoed in his mind.
Cold.
Mocking.
Han's brush pressed harder.
Be cautious.
He stopped writing.
Reading the letter once.
Twice.
Then folded it.
Sealed.
"…This should be enough."
He didn't know why he felt the need to send it.
Didn't understand the unease sitting in his chest.
But he trusted one thing—
His instincts.
And right now—
They were telling him—
Something was coming.
Han turned, heading toward the outer grounds.
Quiet.
Unnoticed.
Because this letter—
Was not meant for anyone else to see.
Meanwhile…
Li Xian was gone.
Not in the courtyard.
Not in the training grounds.
Gone.
Moving fast.
The path beyond the academy gates was still faintly marked by carriage tracks.
Fresh.
Clear.
Li Xian's eyes followed them.
Sharp.
Focused.
"…You really thought I'd let it go?" he murmured.
The wind brushed past him as he stepped forward.
Leaving the academy behind.
No hesitation.
No second thoughts.
Because this time—
He wasn't going to wait.
The symbol.
The attack.
The timing.
And his father—
At the center of it all.
"I'll get my answers directly."
His pace quickened.
For the first time—
Li Xian wasn't reacting.
He was moving first.
At the Back Gate
Han handed the sealed letter to a trusted messenger.
"Deliver this directly," he said coldly.
"No delays."
The messenger bowed. "Yes, sir."
Han watched as the figure disappeared into the distance.
A small breath escaped him.
"…That should be enough."
But something still felt off.
A quiet unease.
Like something had already slipped past him.
His gaze shifted—
Back toward the academy.
"…Where is he?" Han muttered.
Because without realizing it—
Li Xian had already moved beyond his sight.
And whatever he was walking into—
Han wasn't there to stop him.