The transition from the scorched earth of the Troga Forest to the sterile, high-tech halls of the Academy was a blur of flashing red lights and the constant, rhythmic thrum of the helicopter’s rotors.Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was grim. The medics were no longer just treating injuries; they were fighting a losing battle against total systemic failure. Dash was slumped against the bulkhead, his face a ghostly shade of grey as the bandages on his stump soaked through with fresh blood, although Cynthia had healed him, her healing ability couldn't hold down when he used such Heavy Blessing against the gigantic spider.Beside him, Cynthia was hooked up to a heavy-duty mana-stabilizer, her breathing shallow and ragged, her body twitching from the aftershocks of the 100th Blessing.But the most focus was on the center of the floor. Kael and Lyra were laid out side by side. Lyra was stable but deep in a coma, while Kael’s body temperature continued to defy medical logic. Every time a m

Kael shifted on the hospital bed, the crisp white sheets rustling under his weight. The room felt too quiet now that Ash had dropped his playful act. The late afternoon sun was beginning to dip, casting a long, orange glow across the floor that reminded Kael far too much of the fire that had leveled the Troga Forest."The scroll," Kael began, his voice barely a murmur. "Principal Cedric has it now. He thinks it’s a map to a monster."Ash moved the lollipop to the side of his cheek, his small face tightening. "It is a map. But not to a monster. It leads to the River of Zenka. You remember Zenka, don't you? Even with those holes in your head?"Kael shook his head slowly. "The name sounds like a bell ringing in a far-off room. I can’t grab it.""It’s an old island," Ash explained, pacing the small space between the bed and the window. "It sits right beside an old mountain that used to be my sanctuary. Back when my wings could actually block out the sun. But the river that flows beside it

The air inside Principal Cedric’s office was stagnant, smelling of old paper and the sharp tang of expensive tobacco. Cedric sat behind his mahogany desk, his eyes locked on the scorched gold cylinder recovered from the forest.When Kei stepped in, Cedric didn't look up immediately. He reached up with his middle finger and adjusted his glasses, a sharp glint reflecting off the lenses."Sit, Kei," Cedric said. His voice was low, devoid of its usual administrative edge. "You look less like a corpse than you did a week ago. That’s an improvement.""I'm ready for duty, sir," Kei replied. He took the chair across from the desk, his back straight, his eyes never leaving the Principal’s face.Cedric leaned back, the leather chair creaking under his weight. He adjusted his glasses again. "Your stunt in the forest—the 100th Blessing. It was a mess, Kei. A successful mess, but a mess nonetheless. You nearly wiped out your entire squad along with that spider.""We got what you asked for," Kei sa

The morning air in the recovery wing was cold, carrying the sharp scent of pine and floor wax. Kael lay on his back, staring at a small crack in the ceiling tiles. Every time he breathed deeply, he could feel the ghost of the fire that had erupted in the forest—a tight, searing pressure in the center of his chest that refused to fade.A tray of breakfast sat on the rolling table beside him. The oatmeal was cold and gummy, and the orange juice had a metallic tang that set his teeth on edge. He pushed the tray away with a frustrated sigh."Eat it," Ash’s voice drifted from the corner.The boy was sitting on the windowsill, kicking his legs back and forth. He had a fresh lollipop—green apple this time—tucked into the corner of his mouth. "You need the fuel, Kael. Dragons don't live on air and good intentions, even if you’ve forgotten how to be one.""I don't feel like a dragon," Kael muttered, sat up slowly. The room spun for a second before steadying. "I feel like a bruised peach. My sk