the trio exited the train station heading to the academy arrived it was abuzz with energy as Asher, Mika, and Bran made their way through the gates. Students gathered in groups, exchanging rumors about the upcoming exam. The tension was palpable, the usual carefree atmosphere replaced by quiet whispers and anxious glances. This year's exam, everyone said, would be different—more dangerous, more unpredictable. Asher could feel it too, a strange pressure in the air, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
"Feels like everyone's on edge," Bran muttered, adjusting his bag as they walked toward their first class. "What do you think they'll throw at us this time?"
Mika shrugged, her eyes scanning the faces around them. "Who knows? But whatever it is, we'll deal with it. We've come this far."
Asher remained silent, his thoughts drifting back to his recent encounter with Captain Keal. The words still echoed in his mind—Keal's warning about his power and the cracked seal. He couldn't afford to lose control, not here, not now. Yet, a part of him feared what might happen if the wrong person noticed.
As they entered the academy courtyard, the familiar voice of Logan Pendragon cut through the air. "Well, well, look who it is. The peasant hero and his band of merry misfits."
Asher clenched his fists but kept walking, ignoring Logan's provocation. Bran, on the other hand, was less restrained. He turned on his heel, glaring at Logan. "What do you want, Pendragon?"
Logan smirked, flanked by a group of elite students. His eyes, cold and calculating, settled on Asher. "Just wondering how someone like you plans to survive the exam. You know it's not a place for weaklings, right? You should consider dropping out before you embarrass yourself."
Asher's jaw tightened, but Mika placed a hand on his arm, silently urging him to stay calm. He remembered Keal's advice—stay focused, don't let anyone provoke you. Logan was looking for a reaction, and Asher wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.
"We'll be just fine," Mika said sharply, stepping forward. "And if anyone should worry about being embarrassed, it's you."
Logan's smile faltered for a split second before he laughed it off. "We'll see. I look forward to watching your little group fall apart. Should be entertaining."
Asher locked eyes with Logan for a brief moment, a silent exchange of defiance passing between them. Without another word, Logan turned and walked away, his entourage following close behind. The tension lingered in the air long after he was gone.
Bran exhaled loudly. "I swear, that guy gets under my skin. How do you stay so calm?"
Asher didn't respond immediately, his mind still replaying the encounter. "I've got more important things to worry about," he finally said, though the tension in his voice betrayed him.
Later that day, while Asher was in class, Joshua met with Captain Keal in a secluded office within the academy's administrative building. The room was dimly lit, and the heavy silence between the two men was thick with unspoken concern.
"Have you told him?" Keal asked, leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed.
Joshua shook his head. "Not yet. I don't want to burden him with something he can't control. He's already dealing with enough."
Keal sighed, removing his glasses and rubbing his temples. "You know what's at stake here, Joshua. That cracked seal is a red flag. If certain people find out about his… condition, it could put him in serious danger."
"I know," Joshua replied, his voice tight with worry. "But Asher's strong. He'll manage, just like his mother and I have."
Keal studied Joshua for a long moment before nodding. "Fine. But be careful. There are eyes everywhere, even here. We can't afford to attract the wrong kind of attention."
As they spoke, neither of them noticed the shadow that lingered just outside the door—a figure listening intently, blending seamlessly into the darkness.
Asher, Mika, and Bran finished their classes and were heading toward the academy's training grounds when Asher felt a strange sensation, like someone watching him. He glanced over his shoulder but saw nothing out of the ordinary—just students passing by, engrossed in their own conversations.
"You alright?" Mika asked, noticing his distraction.
"Yeah, just… thought I saw something," Asher muttered, shaking off the uneasy feeling.
Bran stretched his arms overhead, yawning. "Well, whatever it is, let's focus on the training grounds. We've got to prepare for the exam. Heard they're adding some new challenges this year."
Asher nodded, though his mind remained elsewhere. The closer they got to the exam, the more unsettled he felt, like something was building in the background, waiting to strike. He couldn't shake the feeling that his fight with Logan was just the beginning.
The day ended with the group finishing a light training session, and as night fell, Asher found himself gazing at the stars from the academy rooftop. Alone with his thoughts, he replayed the events of the day in his mind—the tension with Logan, Keal's warnings, and the looming threat of the exam.
He clenched his fist, the memory of the raw power he had felt during his transformation still fresh in his mind. "I have to get stronger," he whispered to himself. "Stronger than anyone expects."
As the stars blinked overhead, a cold breeze swept across the rooftop, and once again, Asher couldn't shake the feeling that someone—or something—was watching him from the shadows.