The Headmaster's office feels different this time.
Before, it was intimidating. Now it's… heavy. Like the air itself knows something bad just happened.
The cracked window from the last fight has been repaired, but faint light still leaks through the glass same color as the fissures I keep seeing everywhere.
He's standing by the same huge window, hands behind his back, watching storm clouds coil around the towers outside.
"You fought well, Leonard," he says without turning around.
"Yeah, well," I say, rubbing my arm, "I figured if I was going to die, I might as well look cool doing it."
He actually chuckles quietly, but still.
Progress.
Then his voice drops.
"What you fought wasn't a creature. It was a Fracture Wraith a spirit born from energy leaking through the Veil. Each one weakens the barrier further."
"So the Veil's like a… giant magical bubble keeping things out?"
"Not keeping them out," he corrects. "Keeping them apart. Our world and the Echo Realm were never meant to touch. When the Veil shatters completely…"
He lets the silence hang. I don't need him to finish the sentence.
"…boom?" I offer weakly.
"Precisely."
I sit down, because standing suddenly feels like too much work. "And you think I caused it?"
He finally turns to face me.
"No. I think you're the reason it hasn't already collapsed."
That one hits like a slap.
"Excuse me?"
He waves a hand, and a projection shimmers into the air a swirling sphere of light, cracked and glowing faintly.
"The Veil reacts to resonance. Every power, every aura that touches it leaves a mark. But your abilit your sight lets you see where it's breaking."
"So I'm… like a magical repairman?"
His mouth twitches. "In crude terms, yes."
He steps closer, eyes glinting.
"The last person with your gift another Crackseer appeared over a century ago. She could not only see the flaws… but mend them. Until the Veil consumed her."
I blink. "Consumed her? You mean-"
"She became part of it. A guardian, of sorts. Her sacrifice sealed the rift for generations."
I stand slowly. "And now it's happening again."
"Yes. And the Veil may be searching for another anchor."
"Anchor," I repeat. "As in… me?"
He nods once.
There's a long pause. Outside, thunder cracks which feels very on brand.
"So let me get this straight," I say finally. "The universe basically looked at me and said, 'Hey, that traumatized orphan kid who sees glowing cracks? Yeah, make him the wall glue.'"
The Headmaster doesn't even deny it.
"It seems fate has an odd sense of humor."
"Yeah," I sigh. "Tell me about it."
He studies me for a moment, then his tone softens.
"You've shown courage, Leonard. But you must learn control. If you don't… the next fracture won't just open the Veil. It will shatter it."
I swallow hard.
"Cool. No pressure."