Silence.
Thick. Heavy.
But… nothing happened.
The forest didn't explode.
No ancient horror clawed its way out of the ground.
No shadow tendrils, no screaming voices, no nightmares.
Just… nothing.
I blinked.
Leo's fingers brushed the Phantom Fish Scale, and I felt the pulse—
And that was it.
Seriously?
"Uh… Professor?" Felix's voice broke the silence.
"Yeah?" I muttered, still watching the pond like it was about to spit out a demon.
"Is… something supposed to happen?"
I frowned.
"Give it a second."
We all waited.
Five seconds.
Ten.
Nothing.
Leo shifted beside me, his breathing still heavy.
"I… I don't feel anything," he murmured.
No pulse.
No whispers.
Just… silence.
"Professor," Julien murmured, his sword still raised. "Are we good?"
I scanned the area, stretching my senses outward.
The mana… was calm.
No hostile signatures.
No danger.
Just…
"False alarm," I muttered, exhaling slowly.
"Wait… what?" Felix blinked.
