The Council Chamber was silent, save for the faint hum of magical wards embedded in the floor. Golden light from Selene's threads traced across the walls, highlighting the five figures gathered: Selene, Aeron, Eryx, Lyra, and Mira.
Selene's eyes, calm and calculating, rested on the floating projection of the academy's wards. "The anomaly yesterday wasn't random," she said softly. "Someone—or something—is probing the defenses. Low-level interference, but deliberate."
Aeron's lances glowed faintly as he paced. "If it's a minor demon, they've hidden their tracks well. No residual circles, no lingering mana traces. Whoever did this knows how to avoid detection."
Eryx smirked faintly. "And yet, our wards flickered. The students noticed. Someone intervened before the situation escalated."
Lyra crossed her arms, eyes sharp. "You mean… Haru. First-year grey-eyes. He stepped in during the exercise. Controlled the energy enough to prevent damage."
Mira floated slightly closer to Selene. "He didn't draw attention to himself. Subtle, precise. He stabilized the wards without anyone realizing how much he was doing."
Selene inclined her head. "I observed him as well. That restraint… that control. Not typical for someone of his age—or experience. He is… unusual."
Aeron's gaze narrowed. "Unusual can be dangerous. And unstable. Half angel, half demon… If his nature is discovered by the wrong party, it could compromise the academy."
Eryx's smirk turned calculating. "Or it could be an asset. The boy acts with judgment beyond his years. If monitored and guided, he could be instrumental against threats we haven't even detected yet."
Selene's golden eyes met the twins'. "Precisely. That is why we must consider accelerating his integration with the Council. Not full membership, not yet—but as an observer, he must understand the currents of power around him. He must learn when to act—and when to remain unseen."
Lyra's voice was cautious. "You mean… give him more access? Faster than the usual path? He's still a first-year."
"Yes," Selene said firmly. "But extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures. If the lower demons continue testing our wards, if minor generals are probing, then we cannot afford to ignore any potential."
Mira's soft voice added, "We must also protect him. Observation is one thing; exposure is another. He cannot be left vulnerable."
Selene's threads shimmered brighter, weaving faintly through the chamber. "Prepare the briefing. Introduce him to the Council's ongoing intelligence network under careful supervision. Begin observation sessions immediately. And monitor him closely."
Aeron and Eryx exchanged a glance, the weight of the decision clear. Haru was no longer just a student. He was a thread in the tapestry of the academy's defenses—a potential fulcrum in conflicts yet unseen.
Selene leaned back, golden eyes reflective. "The boy with grey eyes… he may be the balance. Or the contradiction. Either way, his place among the Chosen Five's orbit begins now."