Ominis let out a soft sigh, settling himself more comfortably against the rough bark of the tree. The dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves above created a soothing patchwork of warmth and shade on his skin. He held his wand lightly in one hand, its tip glowing faintly as it scanned the embossed text of the book balanced on his lap. Each subtle vibration translated into words in his mind, and he let himself become absorbed in the tale—a story of redemption and defiance against overwhelming odds. A faint breeze carried the scent of the lake and the distant hum of students’ laughter, but Ominis paid them little mind. For once, he allowed himself to feel the peace of solitude, the world beyond his senses fading to nothing more than background noise.

Despite the tranquility, his thoughts occasionally strayed from the pages. He found himself tracing the memories of a recent argument with Sebastian, the frustration in his friend’s voice still echoing in his mind. Ominis pressed his lips into a thin line, shaking his head as though to dispel the lingering tension. The book’s protagonist—someone grappling with their own moral dilemmas—seemed almost mocking in its parallels to his current predicament. He drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to focus again. There would be time to confront Sebastian, to deal with the nagging sense of inevitability that their paths would continue to clash. For now, the soothing repetition of his wand’s movement and the rhythmic pulse of the story were enough to keep those worries at bay.