The Silk-Petal Pavilion was tucked away in a quieter district of the Crossroads, where the architecture shifted to elegant, sweeping curves and floating gardens. The air smelled of foreign blossoms and ozone.
Inside, a fox-kin woman with nine silken tails—each tipped with a different colored gem—greeted them. This was Fen, Kiera's contact.
"Kiera spoke highly of your… potential," Fen said, her eyes lingering on Echo with knowing caution. "The Academy's entrance trials begin in three days. They test combat, adaptability, system affinity, and teamwork. You'll be examined in teams of three. Fortunately, you already have a team."
"What do we need to know?" Echo asked.
"The Academy has factions. The Ordered Vanguard — the official military arm. The Scholars of the Lost — researchers and historians. The Unchained — mercenaries and independents. And the Shadow Court — a group rumored to have… sympathies with the Corrupted, or at least with exploiting the war for power."
She leaned forward. "Your unusual abilities—especially yours, Echo—must stay within your bond-circle. The Academy's deepest scanners are called Soul-Readers. They can detect bloodline awakenings, system cheats, and foreign energies. If they scan you too deeply, they will see the anomaly. You must avoid advanced scans until you learn to shield."
"How?" Mira asked.
"By being unremarkable at first. Pass the trials with average scores. Do not stand out. Once inside, you can learn shielding techniques from the Scholars." Fen handed Echo a data-crystal. "This contains public knowledge about the Corrupted, the Academy's layout, and basic energy-masking techniques. Study it."
She looked at their determined faces. "The war is not a legend here. It is a daily reality. Students die on missions. The Corrupted evolve. Stay close, trust only each other, and remember — in the Crossroads, secrets are the most valuable currency."