Let's review.
There's a glowing rock on my desk.
A mysterious guy named Kael standing in my dorm.
And Rikuya—arms crossed, eyes narrowed, clearly trying not to vaporize anyone.
Just a normal Tuesday.
Kael spoke first.
"I've been watching you—"
"Creepy," I interrupted.
"—because of what you carry," he finished, unbothered. "You have the same aura as the girl who cast the sealing curse long ago. And it's waking up."
"I do not feel awake," I mumbled. "I feel like I need a nap and a snack."
Rikuya stepped forward. "She doesn't need you."
Kael looked at him. "I'm not here to take her. I'm here to help her understand what's happening."
"Oh great," I muttered. "Is this going to be a whole magical-boy mentorship thing? Because I barely passed algebra."
Kael placed the stone in my hand. The symbol glowed again.
"This," he said, "is reacting to your energy. That means your magic is resurfacing. The seal is weakening."
"Again," I said, "no memory of ever having magic. Unless you count how fast I microwave noodles."
Kael chuckled softly. "That's not magic. That's survival."
Rikuya, meanwhile, was about to burst a vein. "If she needs training, I can do it."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You? Last I heard, you nearly burned a café."
"That was an accident," Rikuya growled.
"The foam attacked me first."
And so, just like that, I was being dragged outside the dorm.
By both of them.
Apparently, they decided to "test my potential."
Which means I stood in the middle of the soccer field holding a stick ("It's a conduit," Kael said) while they bickered behind me like divorced wizard dads.
"Stand with your feet apart," Kael instructed gently.
"No, shoulders squared!" Rikuya interrupted. "She needs a firm stance."
"She needs to feel the flow of the magic."
"She needs to not look like she's about to tip over."
"I'm trying my best!!!" I yelled, gripping the stick like it owed me rent.
Suddenly, the stick glowed.
Not softly.
Like-someone-turned-on-a-flashlight-in-my-soul kind of glow.
The wind around me picked up. Grass rustled. The stone in my pocket vibrated.
Kael took a step back.
Rikuya's expression changed—from smug to surprised to…worried?
Then the stick shot out a burst of light.
Right at Kael.
He dodged. Barely.
Rikuya looked proud. "That's my girl."
"I ALMOST HIT A MAN," I yelled.
Kael just dusted himself off. "She's stronger than I thought."
Rikuya smirked. "Told you."