Alex followed Yoo-Euni through the quiet streets of the academy, the early morning light casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths. The air was crisp, and though it had only been a month since his last visit, the familiar surroundings stirred a sense of nostalgia in him. Students were only just beginning to wake, the campus still shrouded in the silence of dawn.
"I can't believe it's only been a month," Alex murmured, glancing around at the towering buildings, the training fields, and the grand halls where he had spent so much time. "Feels like years."
Yoo-Euni gave him a sidelong glance, sensing the weight in his words. "A lot can happen in a month," she said softly.
As they approached the lab, the building loomed ahead, its windows darkened despite the rising sun. The structure seemed more imposing than Alex remembered, its presence heavier. He could sense the tension in the air, a faint ripple of energy that set him on edge.