: "Power isn't given—it's earned under watchful eyes."

The arena still hummed with tension from yesterday's duel. Students clustered in small groups, voices low but urgent. A draw against Gideon. No one had expected that. Least of all me.

I stood near the edge of the training yard, rolling my shoulder. The muscles protested. Everything protested, really. But I'd learned to work through pain. Had to.

Lady Katheris rose from her seat on the raised platform. The whispers died instantly. ...