Ludwig reached the top floor of the tower, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and the faint metallic tang of magic. Van Dijk was already there, waiting for him, his expression unreadable as he stood by the large window overlooking the lands around the Black Tower academy.
"Come in," Van Dijk said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of urgency.
Ludwig stepped inside, closing the heavy wooden door behind him. The room was as he remembered it—cluttered with books, scrolls, and strange vials full of the most random organs of strange creatures. Van Dijk turned to face him, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Ludwig.
"Did you happen to see either Sebas or Evan on your way up?" Van Dijk asked, his tone casual but his gaze piercing.