The Headmaster's chamber shuddered as the wards fractured with a deafening crack. Glass exploded inward, and from the sky came a flood of Shadowspawn—larger, sharper, hungrier than the ones before.
"Circle—defensive formation!" Daxen roared, shadows erupting around him.
Lightning flashed from Mira's palms, Jin carved the air with walls of ice, and Ryo charged headlong into the swarm like a living comet. Elara's vines tore through the floor, dragging two shrieking creatures into a cage of thorns.
Kaito's chest clenched. Instinct screamed at him to burn them all to ash. His hand flared hot—then nothing. The fire fizzled, sparks dying before they could take shape.
He gritted his teeth.
Why now? Why won't you answer me?
But deep down, part of him was relieved. If the fire stayed buried, then so did his secret.
A Shadowspawn lunged. Kaito snatched up a broken spear from the rubble and thrust it upward, catching the creature through the chest. It dissolved in a puff of smoke, the weapon trembling in his grip.
Another came. Kaito spun the spear low, sweeping its legs before driving the point through its skull. He moved with fluid precision, not thinking—just acting.
"Kaito!" Ryo yelled as he smashed two enemies aside. "Since when do you fight like that?!"
"Since right now!" Kaito shot back, vaulting over a slash and plunging the spear down with brutal force.
Aria's eyes flicked toward him, sharp even in the chaos. She saw the way he moved—not like a frightened recruit, but like a seasoned warrior. She said nothing, but her silence was louder than questions.
Another Shadowspawn broke past the line, barreling toward Mira. Kaito darted forward, grabbed its claw mid-swipe, twisted, and snapped the bone with a sickening crack. He shoved it back into her lightning, where it disintegrated in a storm of sparks.
Mira froze, staring at him. "You're not supposed to be this good…"
Kaito ignored her. He couldn't explain. He couldn't explain why the fire inside him refused to come out, or why he was glad it didn't.
The Headmaster's voice boomed through the hall. "Push them back! Drive them into the courtyard—the wards will hold there longer!"
The Circle surged forward, each unleashing their power in deadly unison. At the center, Kaito fought with nothing but steel, instinct, and speed—his spear a blur of strikes, breaking apart the swarm without a single flame.
When the last Shadowspawn dissolved, silence fell. The broken spear clattered from his hands, echoing across the ruined hall.
The Circle stared at him. Not at his fire. At him.
Daxen's voice was low, unreadable. "You've been hiding more than you admit."
Aria said nothing, but her gaze lingered, piercing. And in that look, Kaito felt the question he couldn't escape.
Who are you really?