Veric saw something. No question.

But I can’t explain anything yet—mostly because I don’t understand half of what just happened myself. I don’t even know how to summon Duvilin again.

I scratch the back of my neck and put on the most casual face I have available.

"What are you talking about, Veric? Did you hit your head falling out of bed?"

"I’m going to hit your head if you don’t tell me what the hell that was. A ghost just disappeared right in front of me."

"I’m going to start spreading the word that the Prince of Azure believes in ghosts."

"Shut up, Sands..."

Silence falls between us.

And so he drops it. He knows pressing me won’t go anywhere—I’m not going to crack, and he’s not going to enjoy losing the argument.

He stays in the doorway, openly lost, trying to figure out what to say without digging himself in deeper. I let him hang there for another second before I throw him a rope.

"Veric. Why are you in my room this early?"

"Right... Yeah... Of course." He shakes himself out of it. "Oliver. Your guy."

"’Our’ guy now. You’re going to like him."

"Yeah, yeah... Anyway. He pinged Rhayne this morning. Looks like your comm is muted—you didn’t pick up."

"Where is he?"

"He’s not a cadet, so he’s outside the gates. Said to contact him whenever you’re available."

So Oliver is back. He must have burnt his earthly time on his end the way I did. He returned about a day earlier than expected on Thirstfall’s clock.

Earth wasn’t going to give Oliver much. He has family there, an apartment to go back to, and no real reason to stay one second longer than the Thirst could be eased. I’m honestly impressed he stayed away as long as he did. Just because he needs Thirstfall to make money for them.

"Get ready. We train soon. Let’s hit the dining hall first."

Veric nods and steps out.

I take a moment to gather myself. I spent the whole night awake working on the OXI drop, and then Duvilin happened. I really need a break, but the schedule isn’t giving me one.

I splash cold water on my face at the small basin in the corner. Look at myself in the cracked mirror over it. The kid in the reflection is running on no sleep, residual adrenaline from the alchemy duel yesterday, and the unprocessed weight of a translucent ancestor calling him master. The eyes still look like mine, at least. That’s something.

I walk to the desk. Pull two of the small dropper vials I sealed last night. The Lunaria-Hydrox formula, dark amber inside the glass, the liquid swirling thick enough that I can see it cling to the walls when I tilt the vial. I pocket both, planning to give one to Veric and keep one for myself.

We’re going to field-test today. No better time than during a duel.

A few minutes later I knock on Rhayne and Veric’s door.

Veric is leaning against the windowsill, arms folded, looking out at the city. Rhayne is finishing her preparations. She’s just sliding her combat gloves on. I’m still not used to the new armor on her. She went from soft-spoken nun to combat ninja overnight. The Battle Ribbon coils around her body like a snake holding her in place. The battle ribbon’s small hilt rests in the clip on her belt.

"Nice setup. Looks good on you."

She just nods, blushing, and throws the Cloaked Cape across her shoulders.

"Let’s go. We have a long walk after we eat. We’re training far from here."

I look at my own armor, then at Veric, then at Rhayne. Three sets of high-rank gear walking around in formation.

"I think we’re attracting more attention than three new cadets Divers should."

"Speak for yourself," Veric says without turning around. "I attract the correct amount of attention at all times."

Rhayne snorts. Quietly, behind her hand.

I hand a potion to Veric before leaving.

"What is it?"

"An OXI Potion."

He takes it without a word

The dining hall is the standard academy kind. Long tables. Polished wood. The smell of fish stew and toasted bread heavy in the air. We pile a tray each. Eggs. Salted meat. Lunaria juice. Fresh bread that’s still warm.

Rhayne eats like a starving woman. Three slices of bread before mine touches my plate. A second helping of eggs. She works through the salted meat with focused intensity, head down, not making conversation. She doesn’t catch herself doing it until Veric raises an eyebrow at her plate, and even then, her response is to load another roll into her cheek and mumble around it.

I leave it alone. She’s been on this side for nearly three years without going home. The body remembers what the mind tries not to. I can’t even say how much she saved just by fasting.

When we’re done, I open the comm to Oliver. No more delaying.

"Oliver. You there?"

"Boss! It’s so good to hear your voice."

"Boss?" Veric says, biting back a sarcastic laugh.

I shoot him a sideways look. The bastard had been waiting for that.

"Oliver. We’re heading out of the academy. Meet us at the Oathring of Azure Prime."

"Uh... er... yes, boss," Oliver answers, clearly hesitant.

"The Oathring of Azure Prime?" Veric snaps his head toward me. "Are you out of your goddamn mind, Sands?"

He stares at me, waiting for me to say, ’I’m joking,’ but of course I won’t say that I’m joking.

He runs a hand down his face.

Rhayne keeps chewing some biscuits even though we’re already on our feet, her face carrying a confused, soft frown. She doesn’t get what is happening.

"Yes. We need a location where the duels are actually worth fighting."

"You know, Sands. Saying that line every other day is starting to feel like a routine pattern."

"What are you talking about?"

"You’re going to end up killing me one of these days."

I let a real smile through. The kind I save for him.

"And I love that," he says, finishing his glass of soline juice in one long pull. The motion has the look of a man working up nerve for what comes next.

He sets the glass down with a deliberate thunk.

"Let’s go ruin our morning."