Saturday morning…
The morning air in Nexus Academy's east wing was unnervingly heavy.
For once, the assembly hall wasn't filled with chatter or laughter. Instead, hundreds of freshers sat quietly in their uniforms, backs stiff, eyes darting from one corner to the other.
The weight of expectation and fear hung over them like a gloomy cloud.
Kairo sat with Mira, her arms folded and her expression deliberately calm, though her foot tapped anxiously against the stone floor.
Across the room, Valek lounged in his seat like he owned the hall, his serpent crest gleaming against his collar. Selene was unreadable as always, her serene face framed by her moonlit hair.
And at the far end, Adrain sat upright, his posture perfect, gaze forward like a commander already preparing for battle.
The trio radiated confidence despite knowing that was coming ahead.
The rest of the students radiated nerves.
