章 52: The Prodigious Nim, Part Twenty-One

{Raven} 

The early morning sun had barely begun to peek over the horizon as Raven set out on her daily run. 

Her feet pounded against the cobblestone paths of the academy. Her mind was blank. All she could hear was her own heartbeat, thudding softly in her ears. 

Running had always been a form of meditation for Raven, a way to clear her mind and focus on the task at hand. 

And today, that task made her a little antsy.

[Melisa Blackflame,] she thought, her brow furrowing as she rounded a corner. [When will I finally be able to rid myself of this pest?] 

As she neared the end of her route, Raven spotted a familiar figure standing outside her dormitory.

Professor Miria Linner, her posture rigid and her expression unreadable.

Raven slowed to a stop, schooling her features into a mask of polite curiosity.

"Professor Linner," she greeted, keeping her voice carefully neutral. "Is there something I can help you with?"