Jae planted his boots against the rough stone of the academy's perimeter wall, the cold surface slick beneath his palms.
Above him, the faint shimmer of protective runes flickered like trapped starlight, reminders that no student should be breaching the barrier.
But rules meant little tonight. The trail of mana was fresh, and if they waited until morning, it would be gone.
"Up," he said, bracing himself and cupping his hands.
Tirel raised an eyebrow, fiery hair glinting faintly in the moonlight, but she stepped forward without protest. "Don't let me fall," she muttered, more pride than fear in her voice.
Jae smirked faintly and boosted her upward. She scrambled over the top, graceful in her own way, then perched a moment, scanning the woods beyond before sliding down the far side.
Jae followed in a single motion, scaling the stone with practiced ease and dropping beside her in near silence.
