The academy bell echoed across campus.
Six sharp chimes.
Evelyn groaned as Maya yanked the curtains open.
Golden sunlight flooded Room 317.
“Rise and shine!” Maya sang.
Evelyn buried her face in her pillow.
“I’ve decided I’m nocturnal.”
“You’re a college student,” Finn called from the kitchen. “That’s basically the same thing.”
Celeste looked up from the book she was already reading.
“Combat Fundamentals starts in forty-five minutes.”
Evelyn sat straight up.
“…Why didn’t you lead with that?”
⸻
By the time they reached the training arena, nearly every first-year was already there.
Students gathered in small groups, stretching or chatting nervously.
Professor Ashcroft stood in the center of the arena with his arms crossed.
The moment the final student arrived, silence fell.
