The Ouroboros Academy gym buzzed with energy, its high ceiling echoing the grunts and heavy breaths of first-years in crisp athletic gear.
A physical training class was in full swing, led by Mr. Terry, a broad-shouldered man with a voice like gravel, distinct from the CCT arena's wiry instructor.
"Today's lecture is on building stamina," he barked, pacing before the students. "It's the foundation of survival on any battlefield.
Let's move!"
The exercises were brutal—sprints, burpees, and weighted carries that left muscles screaming.
Asher's shirt clung to his sweat-soaked back, his scars itching under the fabric.
An hour in, Mr. Terry called a break, and students scattered, panting.
Asher grabbed a water bottle, gulping it down, when a shadow loomed beside him.
"Hello, we meet again," Blake said, his menacing smirk sharp as he sat beside Asher, sweat glistening on his brow from the drills.
Asher tensed, his grip tightening on the bottle. "What do you want now?"
"What could Blake want?" Blake said, feigning puzzlement, his eyes glinting with malice. "I need a favor."
Asher turned, dread pooling. "Not now, please. Another time."
"Save your pleases," Blake snapped, leaning closer.
"I want you to get me into the special invitation dinner with the alumni."
Asher's jaw dropped, the CCT dinner letter from Talus heavy in his mind. "That's not in my hands. I can't help you."
"He'll listen to you, trust me," Blake insisted, his voice low and edged.
"One of your friends could back down. Think of something. You're smart, I know you are"
He stood, towering over Asher.
"You don't want to know what I'll do if you fail. Honor our deal—it's not that hard."
Asher's eyes narrowed, testing him. "Blake Farrow, chasing some alumni dinner? What's the catch?"
Blake's smirk faltered, a flicker of something darker crossing his face.
"My whole life depends on it. You took my chance to get in at the CCT. Now you have to—"
"I didn't take your chance," Asher cut in, voice sharp. "I won. I beat you."
"You were lucky," Blake hissed, stepping closer. "It'll be different next time. Do what I asked."
He turned, stalking off, his silhouette sharp against the gym's harsh lights.
Rowan emerged from the bathroom, catching Blake's exit. Fury flashed in his eyes as he rushed to Asher. "What did he say to you?"
"He asked for a favor," Asher said, voice tight. "Said I have to get him into the special invitation dinner."
"And you're going to do it?" Rowan said, incredulous.
"We made a deal," Asher replied, frustration rising. "I don't want more trouble."
Rowan's voice rose, sharp. "You're treating him like he's a god or something. You beat his ass at the CCT, and yet you're submitting to him, like a pawn on his board."
"I'm not being submissive," Asher snapped, defending himself.
"He knows something. What are the odds? He stole the note, knew what could help us, saved my ass from the storeroom. He could take me down, but he's silent. He doesn't care, and I don't want him to."
"So what are you going to do about his favor?" Rowan asked, arms crossed.
"I'll meet with Talus," Asher said, resolute.
"If it means backing down, I don't care. It's just a dinner."
"Okay, class, that's enough!" Mr. Terry's voice boomed. "Let's get back together. A few more exercises, and we're done for the day."
Rowan glared at Asher. "Do what you have to, but if things get out of hand, I'm not listening to anything you have to say."
He walked off, leaving Asher alone, the weight of Blake's two favors crushing him.
The gym class ended, and students spilled out, muscles aching.
Nico and Lira walked side by side, their steps slow under the weight of the day. The quad was quiet, the air cool with evening's approach.
"I haven't been seeing much of you lately," Nico said, glancing at Lira. "What's up?"
"You know I'm always at the greenhouse," Lira teased, her silver eyes playful but guarded. "Guess you've forgotten me, enjoying your new friends."
"What? No way," Nico said, grinning. "I could never forget you, for anything."
"Then why don't you visit me?" Lira pressed, her tone light but probing.
Nico sighed, his grin fading. "A lot's been happening, Lira."
"A lot?" she said, curious. "What's been happening? Let me know."
"You can't tell anyone, no matter what," Nico begged, his voice low.
"You're my only friend, duh," Lira said, rolling her eyes.
"I see you with that prefect, Lira," Nico argued, his brow furrowing.
"I'm not telling him anything, trust me," Lira clarified. "We're not even friends."
"Then why are you with him?" Nico asked, skeptical.
Lira hesitated, torn between spilling Darel's plan—her visions—or keeping it buried. She chose a lie, her voice steady.
"He's conducting a survey. I agreed to help, something about the environment."
"Oh," Nico said, relaxing. "We need to go somewhere less crowded first before I say anything."
They found a lone tree in a quiet corner of the quad, its branches casting faint shadows.
Nico leaned against it, voice low.
"Morgan left a note when he died. We think it's got something important—a warning. We're about to unravel its message, but we need a chronothite solution. Asher got the chronothite, but he thinks Nina at the clinic can help."
"Whoa, that's a lot," Lira said, her tone almost sarcastic, masking her own secrets.
"Yeah, we don't know if Nina will help," Nico continued, rubbing his neck.
"That's not a problem," Lira said, brightening. "I'm close to Nina. I can help."
"You know Nina too?" Nico cried, surprised.
"Yeah, and she'd help me," Lira said confidently. "I got this."
"Fine, I'll let the boys know," Nico said, grinning. "I hope one day I meet the legendary Nina."
Lira laughed, her voice light despite the weight in her chest. "You're messed up."
"What about you?" Nico asked, his tone softer. "Anything to say?"
Lira's smile faded, her mind flashing to the fiery 16.7, HE'S AWAKE, and Darel's promise. She wanted to tell him, but fear of worrying him held her back.
"Nothing, just me and my flowers," she lied, her voice tight.
"Why the sudden frown then?" Nico asked, concerned.
"I kind of miss us," she said, a half-truth, knowing July 16th might steal her away forever.
"I do too," Nico said, earnest. "I'll make more time, I promise. Once we solve this mystery, it'll be Lico again."
"Now you're making it sound like we're dating," Lira smirked, nudging him.
"Come on, let's go meet the others," Nico said, laughing.
Rowan, Asher, and Theo stood in the quadrangle, catching their breath from the day.
Nico and Lira approached, her silver hair catching the fading light. "Hey," Lira greeted, her smile forced.
"Hey," they echoed, Theo giving a small wave.
Rowan turned to Nico, eyes sharp. "Why is she here?"
"She's here to help," Nico replied, unfazed. "She's close to Nina."
"You told her?" Rowan fought, his voice rising, still rattled by his vision.
"Yes, I told her about the note," Nico shot back. "She can help with Nina."
"Lira's no stranger to us," Asher said, his tone firm, trying to ease the tension.
"If she wants to help, she can," Theo added. "I trust her."
Asher handed Lira a small bag with the chronothite shard. "I guess you know what to do?"
"Yes, I got the instructions," Lira said, pocketing it, her fingers brushing the cold shard.
"Now I can go meet Headmaster Talus about Blake," Asher said, his voice heavy.
"What did I miss?" Nico asked, confused.
"He told me to get him into the special dinner at the Alignment," Asher replied. "I don't know why."
"That's strange," Lira said, her brow furrowing.
"What's that?" Asher asked, catching her tone.
"Haven't you guys heard the story?" Lira asked, her voice dropping.
"What story?" Rowan said, skeptical.
"The Farrow Family History," Lira said.
"Don't you guys read books?"
"I've seen it somewhere, but I never read it," Theo admitted, scratching his head.
Lira's voice grew serious. "In 1975, the Farrow family was outcast from Ouroboros Academy. Someone from their family stole the Ouroboros seal, the academy's most valuable asset. They were banned, their reputation destroyed. They lived as outcasts, no opportunities, government eyes on them. Blake's the first Farrow here in decades. Why's he so desperate for the alumni dinner?"
"He's here for revenge," Asher said, realization dawning. "Probably, I think," Asher continued, his mind racing.
"That explains why he was so violent at the CCT, to win at all costs," Nico said, piecing it together.
"But fortunately, Asher's team ruined his plans," Rowan said, a rare grin breaking through.
"He's definitely planning something," Theo said, his voice low.
"I'll get him in, but I'll keep my eyes on him," Asher said, resolute. "Once he uses his second favor, I'm free."
"But to get him in, one of us has to back down," Asher added, his voice heavy.
"I'll back down," Lira said, no hesitation, though her heart sank.
"You sure?" Nico asked, concern in his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm not really a party person anyway," Lira lied, her smile tight, knowing the Alignment might be her end.
"Thank you, Lira, for taking that bold step,"
Asher said. "I guess it's me and you,theo."
"I'll head to Nina now. Bye," Lira said, her forced smirk hiding her dread as she walked off.
"Good luck," Nico called after her.
"I'll go to Talus's office now," Asher said, turning to leave.
"What are we three going to do?" Rowan asked, glancing at Nico and Theo.
They stared at each other, the question hanging heavy, their purpose unclear.