The academy grounds were quiet at night.
The wind brushed across the silver lanterns, making them sway like sleepy fireflies. Faint echoes of laughter from the recovery ward faded in the distance, leaving only the hum of the fountains and the occasional rustle of leaves.
Khael walked slowly, hands in his pockets, spectral dragon-light flickering faintly behind him. He wasn't transforming not fully but the aura of a dragon always responded to his heart.
Tonight, that aura felt… heavy.
At the edge of the courtyard, under the old sakura tree, sat a boy reading a book with no title. A thick scarf wrapped around his neck, even though it wasn't cold. His black hair fell lazily over sharp eyes that glowed faint blue.
Shigeo Motome didn't look up when Khael approached.
He didn't need to.
"Thinking too loud," Shigeo said, flipping a page. "Your Shinrei's vibrating like you're wrestling with a moral crisis."
Khael stopped beside him, exhaling softly.
