Soon, the elevator reached the uppermost floor with a soft chime. Exhaling quietly, Rex straightened his posture and stepped out. The hallway was quiet, lined with polished floors and high ceilings, the kind of place that carried authority in its silence. At the end stood a wide door with a gleaming plaque that read Vice Chancellor in bold, formal lettering.
He stopped in front of it, took a slow breath to steady himself, and then knocked—firmly, but not too loud.
A pause followed, brief but weighted. Then, from within, a calm, composed voice replied with authority, "Come in."
"Here goes nothing." With a cheerful, sunny smile, he pushed open the door.
