From his seat near the upper western arc of the observation chamber, Leonard Elric sat quietly—hands folded, eyes narrowed in calm focus.
The insignia of Solstice Dawn gleamed faintly on his coat, understated but respected. His posture was relaxed, diplomatic even, blending seamlessly with the other seasoned scouts. He played his role well—curious, reserved, just another mid-tier recruiter seeking rising stars to polish and invest in.
But beneath the polished mask, his mind worked in silence.
Not for contracts.
Not for fame.
But for something far older. Far more dangerous.
The Kin of the Moon is within these walls.
Of that, he was now certain.
His artifact—tucked beneath his tunic, masked by a mana-muffling weave—had resonated faintly the moment the practicals had begun. It wasn't strong, not yet. The wards surrounding the dungeon floors dulled everything. But it was enough to confirm proximity.
Still, "proximity" was a word that meant little in a place as vast as Arcadia.
