The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the Academy grounds.

Damian walked out of the Great Hall through the massive doors, Luna and the others following behind him.

Victoria had already left earlier, rushing back to the medical wing to check on Jorah. The urgency in her steps said enough about the severity of his condition.

Up ahead, Luna walked between Edrin and Lysa, her posture perfect despite everything that had happened, her silver eyes calm and expression composed, she carried herself with the same grace she’d shown during the entrance exams.

"So you’re the famous Luna Valcor." Lysa’s voice carried warmth. "It’s good to finally meet you properly."

"The pleasure is mine." Luna’s tone stayed polite and measured. "I’ve heard about all of you as well."

Ronan grinned, his massive frame casting a shadow as he walked. "Never knew Boss’s family was so badass until recently. Saw your parents when they broke into SFD headquarters like it was nothing. Then I found out about their military background, your father and mother being some kind of top military officials, though everything about them is still classified."

He shook his head with something like awe.

"And now you turn out to be SS rank talent and first-ranked in entrance exams." His grin widened. "It’s almost like you’re all nobility in everything but name."

Luna’s expression flickered, something passing through her eyes before the composure returned.

"We never even realized we had a grandfather until recently." Her voice stayed level, but there was weight underneath. "Everything about our family’s history was... hidden from us."

Edrin adjusted his glasses, his analytical mind clearly working through information. "Any idea why Boss wasn’t acknowledged? By your grandfather, I mean. Given what you just said about your parents’ achievements..."

Luna’s face went grim. The composure cracked just slightly, enough to show something darker beneath.

"I don’t know." Her voice came out quieter. "But I intend to find out."

"..."

The group fell into uncomfortable silence after that.

Ariana walked beside Luna, hand resting naturally on her katana’s hilt, but she said nothing. Some questions didn’t have easy answers.

Zavier walked slightly behind them, saying nothing, but his posture was relaxed in a way it hadn’t been during the orientation.

Behind the group, separated by maybe twenty feet, Damian and Alessio walked in silence.

Alessio’s face still showed swelling despite Victoria’s healing. His lip was split, bruises darkening under his eyes. The healing had fixed the internal damage, but surface wounds took longer.

’He moved without thinking.’ Damian’s eyes stayed forward, but his awareness centered on the small figure beside him.

Without warning, Damian’s hand came down on Alessio’s head without warning, ruffling dark hair with gentle pressure.

Alessio looked up, surprise clear in his dark eyes.

They kept walking as the silence stretched between them.

"I appreciate what you did back there." Damian’s voice came out quiet and measured, meant only for the two of them. "Trying to protect Luna... It meant something."

Alessio’s steps faltered slightly, but he recovered.

"But you need to understand something, Alessio." Damian’s tone stayed calm, almost gentle. "Sometimes thinking has to come before acting. Edrin and the others were already positioned. They would have protected her. Your intervention, while brave, put you at unnecessary risk."

They walked past a group of first-years who gave them a wide berth.

Alessio’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. His jaw set with determination that looked too old for his fifteen-year-old face.

"Master."

Damian glanced at him from the corner of his eye but said nothing.

"I can see mistress is very important to you." Alessio’s voice gained strength as he spoke, each word deliberate. "The way you look at her, the way your Aura shifts when she’s near and the way you position yourself even when you don’t realize it."

They passed under the shadow of one of the Academy’s gothic archways. The temperature dropped in the shade, then warmed again as they emerged into sunlight.

"If someone tries to harm you..." Alessio’s voice went harder and colder. "Or her..."

He stopped walking completely.

Damian took three more steps before stopping as well, turning to look back.

Alessio stood in the middle of the path, his small frame casting a small shadow, but something in his posture made him seem larger.

His dark eyes burned with intensity that didn’t belong in a child.

"I’ll be the first one standing between you and them." The words came out like a vow. "No matter what... No matter who... Even if it costs me everything."

The wind picked up, catching Damian’s crimson hair, sending it streaming behind him.

Something twisted in Damian’s chest, an emotion he couldn’t quite name.

’This kid...’

Damian turned fully, facing Alessio now, his crimson eyes studying the boy with an expression too complicated to decipher.

"You know there’s no need for you to be like this." His voice came out rougher than intended. "Ever since I brought you to Mike, you’ve been acting like I’m everything to you. Like you owe me some kind of debt that can never be repaid."

He took a step forward.

"But I haven’t done anything for you, Alessio. Mike’s the one who taught you to read, Mike’s the one who trained you, Mike’s the one who–"

"Master." Alessio interrupted, his voice cutting clean through Damian’s words. "Whether it’s Old Man Mike or any other person in Tranquil City..." He paused, swallowing hard. "Nobody paid attention to random beggars on the street before you came."

They stood there on the path, students flowing around them toward dormitories and training grounds, neither of them noticing.

Alessio’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper.

"I remember everything about that day, Master... Every detail. I’ve replayed it in my mind a thousand times."

His eyes went distant, seeing something only he could see.

"I was sitting in that alley... Starving. So hungry I couldn’t think straight anymore. There was a rat... dead, rotting and crawling with disease." His voice cracked slightly. "And I was about to eat it because I had nothing else. Because that’s what you do when you’re dying."