Chapter 244.2 - Narrowed

Marked.

But he stopped there.

Even this was risky.

He could mark no more than one at a time—two, if the academy's detection wards weren't finely tuned that day.

But today?

They were.

He could feel it in the ambient air pressure. The subtle resistance of arcane scrutiny drifting just beneath the casual weight of sunlight. The Arcadia wards had grown sharper.

More alert.

Probably due to the scouts.

Probably because of people like him.

If he overcast—if his mana dipped just a bit too high—someone would notice.

And he could not afford notice.

He rolled his shoulder slightly, adjusted his collar, and kept walking.

Two marked.

That would have to suffice for now.