While Lith spoke with the Marchioness, everyone was having a conversation with their respective families, deciding how to face the incoming storm.

Everyone but Quylla, of course. She had no relatives, hence she never spent precious points for a communication amulet. Yet it was the second time already she was considering getting one.

The first time had been during the four days break. While the others had returned to their homes, she had remained in the academy. Even in her old village, she had always been surrounded by people.

The bustling noise of the daily activities had become part of her life.

But during the break, she had no lessons to attend, nowhere to go, and no one to talk to. Ever since Quylla had got her Ballot, she had become an outcast, but she never really noticed up until that point.

She would always spend so much time with her friends, that being alone once in a while was actually pleasant. During those four days, though, the silence had started to scare her.

Walking along the empty corridors, Quylla felt like she was traveling through the belly of a giant dead beast, with only her steps’ echo to keep her company. Being apart from Yurial or Phloria was meh, while from Lith was actually good, it gave her the time to sort her feelings.