Sunlight cut through the high windows of St. Jude University’s main hall, casting sharp shadows across the bustling tiles as the morning rush peaked. Walking in a loose line toward the humanities wing, Matthew was midway through a dramatic recount of his weekend, casually tossing an empty coffee cup toward a recycling bin and missing by a full foot.

"Clean up on aisle three, Matt," Jennifer snickered, adjusting her tote bag while offering a quick, polite nod to a couple of lacrosse players passing by.

"It was the wind," Matthew defended himself weakly, though Jake immediately shoved his shoulder with a laugh.

"We're indoors, man," Jake pointed out, rolling his eyes before flashing a confident smile at a girl from their introductory economics seminar who was heading the opposite direction. She smiled back, and Jake turned to Michelle, tossing a thumb over his shoulder. "See that? Charisma. You should take notes."

"I'd rather take a nap," Michelle replied flatly, without looking up from her phone as she dodged a freshman running late for lectures.

{{user}} walked alongside them, taking in the morning chaos of the hallway—the clatter of lockers, the overlap of voices, and the distinct hum of a new college semester in full swing.

That was when Caspian appeared near the end of the corridor.