The bell rang once.
"Dong—"
But the classroom did not empty immediately.
It loosened.
Gradually.
"…Half-day," someone murmured.
"…Festival preparations…"
Lunivara rose from her seat.
Unhurried.
Composed.
Outside the classroom, the hallway was already beginning to fill.
Movement layered over movement.
Jude stood near the wall just beside the classroom door.
Waiting.
Not idly—
just… there.
When Lunivara stepped out, he glanced at her.
"…We're still going."
"…Yes."
Students passed between them.
Some slower than usual.
Some already leaving.
Jude shifted slightly, pushing himself off the wall.
"…He's still inside."
Lunivara's gaze moved briefly toward the corridor ahead.
Where the remaining student officers had gathered.
"…I see."
Their voices were faint from here.
Contained.
Structured.
Jude leaned back lightly again.
"…He takes his time."
"…He observes before deciding," Lunivara replied.
"…Yeah," Jude said, almost to himself.
A short pause followed.
Not empty.
Just waiting.
"…We're not staying here long," Jude added.
"…No."
Footsteps approached from within the corridor.
Measured.
Even.
Leontius emerged into view.
Not rushed.
Not delayed.
He stopped a few steps from them.
His gaze moved briefly—from Jude, to Lunivara—then toward the hallway ahead.
Toward the direction leading out.
"…You are leaving."
Jude straightened slightly.
"…We're heading outside."
A pause.
Leontius did not answer at once.
His eyes shifted past them—
toward the corridor's end.
Where the light from the open exit filtered faintly in.
"…For what purpose?"
Jude blinked.
"…Just to go out."
Silence.
Leontius looked back at him.
"…It is not planned."
"…Does it need to be?" Jude replied.
Another pause.
Short.
"…No."
The answer came simply.
Lunivara spoke then.
"…You may remain if you have other matters."
Leontius looked at her briefly.
"…I do not."
A slight pause.
"…I will come."
Jude exhaled softly.
"…That works."
No more was said.
They began walking.
The hallway opened wider as they moved forward.
Students thinning toward the exits.
Voices fading behind them.
Step by step—
the corridor narrowed toward the doors.
Light growing clearer ahead.
Jude stretched one arm slightly as they walked.
"…Better than sitting through meetings."
"…They are necessary," Leontius replied.
"…Yeah, but not enjoyable."
Leontius glanced at him.
"…Those are different things."
Jude let out a quiet breath.
"…You really separate everything, don't you?"
Leontius didn't answer immediately.
"…It is easier that way."
Lunivara walked slightly ahead.
Her gaze steady as the exit came closer.
[Transition of environment.]
The doors opened.
Sound shifted.
From controlled—
to open.
The street outside was already alive.
Movement.
Voices.
Unstructured rhythm.
Jude stepped out first.
"…There we go."
Lunivara followed.
Her eyes adjusting—not to light—
but to movement.
Leontius stepped out last.
His gaze moved once across the street.
Not lingering.
Just taking it in.
"…It's busier than usual," he said quietly.
"…Half-day," Jude replied.
A pause.
Leontius gave a small nod.
"…That explains it."
They moved forward together.
Not tightly.
Not apart.
Just—
aligned.