Jack's exhausted eyes flickered open as early sunlight crept into his room, illuminating the disarray around him. The pale glow filtered through the cracks in the window shutters, casting jagged shadows across the room. It was a new day—and not just any day, but his first day at the academy.
"Ahhh…" he muttered, stretching as he reluctantly forced himself to sit up. Every muscle in his body ached, and a sharp throb reminded him of last night's encounter with the Drakorath. The mental strain from controlling that beast had left him feeling battered, like he'd been fighting for hours in his sleep. Yet, he knew he couldn't let himself fall behind.
'No excuses,' he thought with a frown, rubbing a hand over his face. 'Sleep is a sign of weakness.'
