The day after the duel, the school was restless. Word had spread faster than wildfire: Garron had "miraculously" beaten a visiting Wosbildung student.Most students chalked it up to luck.But not everyone.
During lunch, Kiro sat under the shade of an old oak tree, visor tilted down. Lian was beside him, scribbling in her notebook.
"You're awfully calm for someone whose stunt basically saved Garron's neck yesterday," she said without looking up.
"Stunt?"
"You know what I mean."
Kiro took a bite of his bread roll. "Maybe he just got lucky."
"Uh-huh. And maybe I'll suddenly wake up with the power to teleport."
Before he could answer, a shadow fell over them.
Kiro looked up. Standing there was the Spectra boy from yesterday — still in his blue robes, jaw slightly bruised, but eyes sharp as knives.
"You," the boy said, pointing at Kiro.
"Me?" Kiro asked, voice flat.
"You were watching the fight. I saw you. Right before I missed, you… did something."
Lian closed her notebook slowly. "What exactly are you accusing him of?"
"I'm not accusing," the boy said, his voice low. "I'm asking."
Kiro leaned back against the tree. "Then ask properly."
The boy narrowed his eyes. "What's your Talent?"
Kiro smirked under his visor. "Wouldn't you like to know."
The Spectra boy's jaw tightened. "I'll find out." With that, he turned and walked away.
Lian exhaled slowly. "That's not good."
Later that day, Kiro noticed the boy again — in the courtyard, in the hallway, even lingering near the back exit. Watching.
He wasn't just curious. He was hunting for answers.
That night, Kiro sat at his desk, helmet on, golden threads shimmering like an endless spiderweb. He traced one — the thread connecting to the Spectra boy.
I could make him forget, Kiro thought. Make him drop it entirely.
His fingers twitched on the thread. But then he hesitated.
If he tampered with someone who already suspected him, and they realized… it would confirm everything.
He let go.
For now.
The next morning, just before classes began, the instructor called for Kiro. "There's someone here to see you."
In the office stood a tall man in dark armor, the crest of Wosbildung etched on his shoulder. Beside him was the Spectra boy, smirking faintly.
The armored man's eyes were cold. "Kiro, is it? We've heard interesting things about you."
Kiro's pulse slowed. His mind's eye lit up with threads.
This was about to get dangerous.