"You heard what happened, right?"
The voices were low, urgent.
Ava wasn't trying to eavesdrop. But whispers like these weren't meant to be ignored.
She slowed her steps, pretending to adjust her satchel, angling her head just enough to catch the conversation.
"Some rankings were already decided before the test."
"That's not new."
"No, listen. I'm saying someone's been buying their way up."
A pause. Then, a nervous chuckle.
"You're insane. Who would be stupid enough to—"
"I heard it's from the higher clans."
Ava's fingers twitched.
The voices dipped lower, but she caught one word.
"Eden."
It was spoken too softly. Like something that shouldn't be said aloud.
Then—
One of the disciples turned and locked eyes with her.
Ava didn't flinch. She held his gaze, steady.
But the moment he realized she had heard them, his face drained of color.
He grabbed his companion's sleeve, muttered something too low for her to hear—then they both turned and disappeared down the corridor.
