The final seconds of class after Kael's whisper, inside Veyrhal Academy's magic theory classroom.

Ara calculates her escape while the class begins to move.

Ara exits the classroom with the students, trying to vanish into normal academy traffic.

Ara enters the main corridor, bright with late afternoon light and crowded with students.

Ara attempts to lose Kael through side traffic near a stairwell.

The Support System reappears while Ara hurries down the stairwell.

Ara leaves the student traffic and enters the old lecture wing, where the corridor is unexpectedly empty.

The empty corridor stretches ahead, sunlit and quiet, while Kael closes from behind.

Ara turns to confront the pursuit with forced politeness.

Kael corners Ara in the stained-glass corridor without touching her.

Ara's fear spikes as the Support System glitches between her and Kael.

Kael confirms he knows exactly who Ara is, deepening her panic.

Kael begins his interrogation, and Ara tries to answer like a harmless nobody.

Kael asks about memories Ara does not have from this world.

Ara denies the memories and uses her low status as a shield.

Ara's denial wounds Kael more than it calms him.

Kael decides to show proof instead of continuing the verbal interrogation.

Kael reveals the worn silver ribbon, and Ara's panic changes into recognition.

Ara recognizes the ribbon from her previous life, not from the academy or the novel.

Ara's reaction betrays her, and the Support System issues a new kind of warning.

Kael interprets Ara's expression and speaks more softly.

Ara tries to deny the ribbon's meaning while Kael presses the impossible connection.

Kael asks about the promise again, and Ara can only answer with confusion.

Distant student voices interrupt before Ara can answer, but Kael leaves the interrogation open.