By the time morning rolled into afternoon, the academy felt like it had been placed under a silent dome. Conversations were quieter. Staff walked with clipped steps. Even the training fields looked different, like the colors had dulled.
Word hadn't spread yet, not officially. But people sensed something. They always did.
Blaze felt it too.
He'd finished his second rehab session for the day and was trying to focus on breathing patterns, but his head was a mess. His ribs weren't what hurt. It was everything else.
Every time he replayed the morning, the representative's cold smile, the man's voice saying We'll speak soon, his chest tightened a little more.
He returned to the analysis room and dropped onto the couch.
He didn't even get a chance to breathe before the room lights flickered.
A holo-notification appeared in the center of the room.
Incoming Transmission: Aurion Capital
Recipient: Blaze Titan
Priority Level: Ultra
Blaze froze.
