A new woman arrived.
Vaessia.
Not a student. Not a Matron.
An independent Ether Queen. No allegiance. No house.
She entered Kael's war chamber without knocking, flanked by two bonded guards of her own.
"Your chaos has value," she said. "But not control. That's where I come in."
Reya scowled. "You want to rule him?"
Vaessia smirked. "No. I want to buy him."
Zarya laughed. Liora drew her sword. Celes cracked her knuckles.
Mina simply asked, "With what currency?"
Vaessia smiled.
And dropped a bloody scroll on the table.
"His real name."