Atrius turned finally, eyes sharp. "They'll escalate subtly at first. Challenges by proxy. Resource denial. Social isolation dressed up as protocol."
Mira squinted. "So… Tuesday."
"Exactly," Atrius said.
Coren met his gaze. "What do you want me to do?"
Atrius studied him for a long moment, then said, "Nothing different."
Mira blinked. "That's your master plan?"
"Yes," Atrius replied. "You train. You fight when forced. You don't reach for alliances. And you do not, under any circumstances, let them see you strain."
Coren nodded. "Understood."
Atrius's voice dropped. "They're trying to decide whether you're a blade or a bomb. Blades can be aimed. Bombs get buried."
Valenna's presence tightened, amused and cold.
Let them misjudge which you are.
Atrius clapped his hands once. "Good. Then we're not done tonight."
Mira stared. "You cannot be serious."
"I am," Atrius said. "If Feldren watched him walk out, they'll watch him tomorrow. I want his control flawless by morning."
