After taking a deep breath of the crisp night air, I returned to my car. The cold had settled into my skin, but the chill was nothing compared to the unease brewing in my chest.
"Uh, Professor Gabrielle," Master's bespectacled friend called out as I slipped into the driver's seat, his voice hesitant. "I think Leon is telling us to go ahead. He just texted me, saying he might be late and will probably spend the night at an inn here. Here, take a look."
He turned his phone toward me, the glow of the screen casting faint shadows on his face. I scanned the message, instantly recognizing Master's ID.
There was no mistaking it.
"An inn?" My brow arched, suspicion flickering in my tone. "Why is Ma— I mean, why is Student Leon staying behind? Did he run into someone along the way?"
"Well…" The bespectacled friend scratched the back of his head. "We found Professor Rose here. She's working as an adventurer now, and, uh… yeah."