The academy library on Sunday morning was unusually crowded for a weekend. Students occupied nearly every table, some genuinely studying while others used textbooks as camouflage for social activities.
At a corner table near the historical texts section, three first-year students huddled over a shared notebook, their voices low but animated.
"—and I'm telling you, the best essence cultivation method for beginners is morning meditation," insisted a girl with brown hair tied in a practical bun. Her name was Patricia Vane, daughter of a minor merchant family who'd earned her academy spot through pure academic excellence. "Evening cultivation means you're working with depleted reserves from the day's activities."
