The Academy’s Deceased Ate It All

The next day.

For some reason, no matter how many times I tried to talk to her, Minerva wouldn't respond.

I'd started to wonder if maybe she'd slipped back into another deep sleep, but every now and then, in answer to something I said, she'd give me a small hmph of a snort.

And it didn't come across as scornful or condescending so much as... the kind of snort a child who'd gotten seriously sulky about something would make.

Her attitude didn't shift one bit, even after class let out. Despite my friends' invitations, I begged off—I was tired, I just wanted to rest a bit—and headed back to the dorm.

In the end, I went straight into my own shadow to come face to face with her.

"Minerva."

"..."

When she heard my voice, she made no effort to hide her displeasure.