The bell rang across Nova Academia, signaling the end of morning lessons.
Kael slipped his books into his pack and stretched, feeling stiff from hours of lectures about Will history and relic theory. Around him, students chatted excitedly about their training matches or their latest Will advancements.
Kael said nothing, slipping silently into the crowd.
Outside, the academy grounds buzzed with life. Students sparred in the open fields, brilliant flashes of Will lighting up the afternoon sky — flames, lightning bolts, blades of wind slicing through the air.
Kael weaved through it all like a ghost, unnoticed and unneeded.
Tetsu found him near the equipment shed, tossing a wooden practice spear between his hands.
"Thought you'd chicken out," Tetsu said with a grin. "Still up for a few rounds?"
Kael shrugged. "Why not? Not like I'm gonna awaken sitting around."
Tetsu tossed him a spear. Kael caught it awkwardly, fumbling to steady it.
They walked together to one of the quieter fields, where fewer students gathered. The ground here was rougher, less maintained. Ancient ruins loomed at the edges — remnants from before the Fracture, half-buried and forgotten.
Kael eyed them warily. Something about the cracked stones and the swirling glyphs made his skin prickle.
"You ever wonder if those ruins still...I dunno, do anything?" Kael asked, twirling his spear slowly.
Tetsu laughed. "What, like curse us? Dude, you're getting paranoid."
"Maybe."
They set up their sparring stances.
Tetsu lunged first, moving with the easy confidence of someone whose body responded instantly to his Will. Kael dodged, barely keeping pace. Their wooden weapons clacked sharply, drawing a few curious glances from students nearby.
Kael pushed himself harder, muscles burning, sweat dripping into his eyes.
Still not enough.
Every hit he landed was parried. Every opening he saw was too slow to take.
Tetsu knocked the spear from Kael's hands with a flick of his wrist, stepping back, breathing easy.
Kael knelt to pick it up, hiding the burning frustration twisting his gut.
"You're getting better," Tetsu said, clapping him on the back. "Seriously. Just gotta be patient."
Kael forced a smile. "Yeah."
They trained for another hour, the sun beating down relentlessly. Nearby, the ruins seemed to watch silently, their ancient presence pressing heavier with each passing moment.
Finally, Tetsu flopped onto the grass, hands behind his head. "Let's call it. I'm starving."
Kael hesitated, glancing at the forest beyond the ruins.
Something moved — just for a second — among the trees. A flicker of shadow, gone before he could focus.
He shook his head. Probably just the heat messing with him.
"Yeah," Kael said, more to himself than anyone. "Let's eat."
They gathered their things and made their way toward the cafeteria, the laughter and noise of other students growing louder.
But Kael kept glancing over his shoulder, unease gnawing at the edges of his mind.
Behind the ruined stones, something unseen stirred.
Waiting.
Watching.