"Well done, Seraphina and Arthur," Nero said as we stepped into the grand entrance hall of the mansion, the warmth inside chasing away the chill still clinging to our clothes. His sharp eyes flicked between us, then to the device that had recorded our mission's success. He held it like a trophy, though his tone carried the casual authority of a man who expected excellence as a matter of course. "You two are the first team to complete your assignment. According to this, your teamwork was exemplary. And Arthur..." His gaze pinned me in place, his voice dropping to a quieter register. "You didn't go all out, did you? You treated this as training."
I straightened under his scrutiny. "Yes, Professor. It seemed appropriate."
He raised an eyebrow, but his lips curved in a rare, approving smile. "Regardless, the hunt was flawless. A+. Well done."
We bowed together, Seraphina and I murmuring our thanks, though my focus was already drifting to the plans I had for the evening.
