Crimson Veil Academy was a city in the sky. Floating spires. Hovering gardens. Women everywhere.
Kael stood out like blood in snow.
Eyes followed him. Whispers trailed him. Some looked curious. Others hungry.
He wasn't supposed to be here. Men were servants, breeders, protected artifacts—not students. But Reya had pulled strings, and Kael had touched Ether. That made him a target. Or a weapon.
The first fight happened on day two.
Some arrogant noble girl—Liora, silver hair, sharp tongue—challenged him for looking at her too long.
"I don't duel men," she sneered. "But for you? I'll make an exception."
Kael didn't want to fight. But when she swung, he moved. Reflexes faster than he remembered. He ducked, grabbed her wrist—and something sparked.
She gasped. Dropped to her knees. Shuddered.
The crowd went dead silent.
Kael didn't know what he did. But Liora looked up at him like he'd just unlocked a door she didn't know existed.