The ice-covered hall was massive, bigger than the academy's main auditorium. Pillars of frozen shadow stretched up to a ceiling lost in darkness. And at the center, on a throne that seemed to be carved from crystallized night itself, sat a figure that made them all stop breathing.He was enormous, easily twice the height of a normal person. His skin was pale blue, like someone who'd died of cold, but his eyes burned with white fire. A crown of ice and shadow rested on his head, and when he moved, frost spread across the floor."Mortals," the figure said in a voice like breaking glaciers. "You dare enter the presence of Mordain, Frost King of the Deep Caverns?""We seek the legacy of Glacius," Draven said, trying to keep his voice steady."Do you?" Mordain rose from his throne, and the temperature in the hall dropped so fast their breath turned to ice crystals. "And what makes you think you deserve such power?""We've passed all the trials," Lyra said."Have you?" The Frost King's laug

Three days after their return to the academy, life had settled into a comfortable routine. Classes in the morning, practice in the afternoon, studying in the evening. Their friends had accepted their story about the survival exercise, and their instructors seemed pleased with their improved teamwork.But Draven couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched."Am I being paranoid?" he asked Sera as they walked back from combat practice. "Or have you noticed more people paying attention to us?""You're not paranoid," Sera replied quietly. "We're definitely being watched. The question is by who.""Academy instructors checking on our 'improved abilities'?" Jin suggested."Maybe," Sera said, but she didn't sound convinced. "Or maybe word has gotten out about what really happened in the caverns.""How?" Lyra asked. "We didn't tell anyone.""Information has a way of traveling in circles like ours," Sera said darkly. "Especially information about power."They reached the main courtya

Days of confinement had everyone on edge. The constant guards, the restricted movement, the feeling of being watched - it was wearing them down. Even their enhanced magical connection couldn't ease the growing frustration."I can't take much more of this," Jin said during breakfast. They sat at their usual table, but now two guards flanked the dining hall entrance."It's for our safety," Lyra reminded him, but her voice lacked conviction."Is it? Or are we just making ourselves sitting targets?"Sera pushed her food around her plate. "The watchers are still there. Different faces every few days, but they're still there.""Maybe that's a good thing," Draven said. "At least we know where they are.""Do we? These are the ones we can see. How many more are there that we can't?"The question hung over them like a cloud. The Shadow Moon Sect was known for its ability to blend into normal society. For all they knew, half the academy could be compromised."I've been thinking," Sera said quiet

The courtyard exploded into chaos. Real academy guards poured in from every entrance, their magic blazing as they engaged the Shadow Moon infiltrators. But the fake guards had been ready for this - they scattered with practiced efficiency, using the confused students as cover."This way!" Master Thorne shouted, grabbing Draven's arm and pulling him toward the administration building.But their path was blocked by two infiltrators who moved like dancers, their weapons cutting through the air in perfect sync."Shadow twins," Sera said grimly. "Trained together since birth. They fight as one mind.""How do we beat them?" Jin asked."We don't. We survive them."The twins attacked without warning, their movements so coordinated they seemed like extensions of the same person. Draven tried to summon his Flower Blade technique, but the suppression field kept it weak and flickering.Master Thorne stepped forward, his sword meeting their assault. But even his skill was barely enough to keep up

The next morning brought a return to routine. Draven attended his classes, tried to focus on magical theory, and mostly succeeded in pushing the strange dreams to the back of his mind. But during lunch, restlessness crept in."I'm going to skip afternoon study hall," he told his friends as they finished eating. "Need some physical activity.""Want company?" Jin asked."Nah. Just need to clear my head."He made his way to the training grounds, hoping some solo sword practice would help settle his thoughts. The main practice areas were busy with other students, so he headed to the older grounds on the far side of campus.These training areas had been built decades ago and were mostly unused now except by students who wanted privacy or quiet. The equipment was older but well-maintained, and the isolation was perfect for working through complicated feelings.Draven was halfway through a series of basic sword forms when he heard the sound of steel on steel from the next field over. Someone