The Aethelgard Academy barracks were sleek, modular rooms with adjustable environments. Echo's team was assigned a triple suite—private bedrooms around a common lounge with a holographic tactical table.
Leyla immediately claimed a corner, sharpening her claws on a practice dummy. Mira stood by the window, watching light-bridges pulse between floating campus towers. Echo ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the unsigned message.
"We're in," he said. "But we're being watched."
"Scholar Varia?" Mira asked softly.
"Whoever that is." Echo pulled up the Academy's public directory on his wrist-band. "Varia, T. — Scholar of Lost Histories, Department of Anomalous Studies. Security clearance: Omega."
"Anomalous Studies," Leyla repeated, ears flattening. "They know."
"Or they suspect." Echo shut off the display. "I'll go tonight. Alone. You two start settling in—attend the orientation, learn the layout, but stay low."
Mira turned, worry in her eyes. "What if it's a trap?"
"Then I'll have to talk my way out." His Charm hummed softly. "It's what I do."