Susan remained comfortably perched on Leo's lap, her mature curves pressed against him in a way that was both intimate and distracting, yet she spoke with the calm authority of someone who had walked the path of power for years. The wooden cabin's warm interior enveloped them—the faint crackle of a contained fire in the hearth, the subtle scent of aged Phoenix Wood releasing traces of invigorating Spirit Energy into the air, and soft morning light filtering through the lattice windows. Sonya sat nearby, her meditation complete, watching the exchange with a mix of amusement and quiet anticipation. In Phoenix Academy, moments like this were rare luxuries; most days were filled with relentless pursuit of strength amid the competitive frenzy of the Metahuman World, where rankings on the Nirvan
