Nate had barely survived another day of classes, with nothing too remarkable happening—no surprise duels, no dangerous training mazes. His muscles were still sore from the previous day's training, but today had been more merciful than usual. He was just finishing his lesson with Professor Jodi, managing to avoid her whip and only suffering a moderate amount of pain. Feeling like he had dodged a bullet, he was gathering his things, ready to leave, when Jodi's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Nate, wait a moment," she said, her tone serious.
He turned around, half-expecting another torturous drill, but her expression was different this time. Her usual smugness had been replaced by something more solemn, her eyes narrowing slightly as she approached him.
"Tonight, I need you to come with me," she said, her voice firm but calm. "There's an area of the city where the most abductions have been occurring."
