In the cave, the fire had burned lower while they spoke, casting longer shadows across the stone walls. Petra found herself studying Gareth's methodical note-taking, still trying to reconcile this calculating strategist with the quiet boy she'd demolished in their Academy duel.
"Your roommate," she said, breaking the silence. "Kael Ashford. What did you make of him?"
Gareth's pen paused. "Interesting choice of topic."
"He was supposed to be my next opponent. SS-rank fire manipulation seemed worth testing against my abilities."
"Kael..." Gareth set down his pen, considering his words carefully. "He's not what he appears to be. I shared a room with him for weeks, watched his routines, his habits. There's something deliberate about how unremarkable he tries to seem."
"Meaning?"
