113. Grey (Luke POV)

The day Professor Gray arrived unannounced at our doorstep, unease immediately enveloped our home. His presence, though not unusual, always seemed to foreshadow significant news, and this time, there was a discernible tension in the air, a sense of impending revelation that hung heavy around us.

As he crossed the threshold into our living room, his eyes briefly scanned the space before landing on Lexi coming down the stairs. His greeting, usually warm and familiar, was uncharacteristically formal.

"Congratulations, Lexi," he began, his voice steady but lacking its usual warmth. "You've completed your coursework. You're now eligible to apply for your degree." While his words were meant to be celebratory, they were overshadowed by a hesitancy in his eyes that didn't escape our notice.

A brief wave of joy washed over us at his announcement, but it was quickly tempered by the undercurrent of something else, something unspoken yet heavy with implication. Professor Gray had always been a co