A Short Night

Night.

A velvet darkness blanketed the Academy, its towering spires and elegant structures casting long shadows under the pale silver light of the moon.

But in the quieter, less-patrolled corners of the sprawling commercial district, nestled between vibrant taverns and foreign merchant stalls, stood a peculiar building—a ten-story high, unusually pristine structure that contrasted with the rustic charm of its surroundings.

It was sleek.

And almost too perfect.

The building bore the polished look of high-end hospitality.

On the surface, it was simply a boutique hotel, advertised heavily to visitors from beyond the Academy—merchants, nobles, or envoys who came for business or diplomacy.

Polished marble floors greeted newcomers at the lobby, while the scent of imported perfume lingered faintly in the air.

People came and went at all hours, disappearing into the neon-lit streets or slipping into the comfort of their suites.