A wave of shock and confusion spread through the room like wildfire. Chairs screeched against the floor, and students jumped to their feet. One after another, they rushed out the door, following the trail of footsteps that now echoed through the corridor.
"Should we really go? Or maybe stay out of it since we're new students?" Joe asked, raising an eyebrow, though the unease in his voice betrayed the panic blooming in his chest. "I really don't want to get into trouble on my first day at the academy."
"You should go, of course," Leo said, leaning in to whisper into Victoria's ear. "You're a student of this academy now. If you don't go, who are you planning to ask about it later?"
"Let's go. I'm curious," Jemaila chimed in, already heading toward the hallway.
The rest of them exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement before following the stream of students out of the classroom.
****
