The Imperial Css dormitory was not a pce of comfort.

  It was a fortress disguised as luxury — high ceilings, bck marble floors, walls lined with faintly glowing runes that whispered protective wards. Each room was assigned by rank and affinity, and Zef’s was at the very end of the corridor: small, unadorned, exactly as he preferred.

  He stood by the window overlooking the central courtyard.

  Below, groups of students moved in clusters — some ughing, others practicing minor spells that sparked and fizzled in the evening air.

  To them, the Academy was a dder to power.

  To Zef, it was a cage he had chosen to enter — and a hunting ground he intended to master.

  The Silver Fox y curled on the bed, two tails twitching zily.

  Its pale violet eyes followed him without blinking.

  Zef felt the connection — not words, but a quiet pulse.

  The fox was no longer just a summoned spirit.

  It was an extension.

  A second set of senses.

  A living bde hidden in pin sight.

  A knock came at the door — soft, almost hesitant.

  Zef didn’t turn.

  “Come in.”

  The door opened.

  Elena Valfor stepped inside without waiting for permission.

  She still wore her rapier on her shoulder, boots leaving faint dirt marks on the marble.

  She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.

  “You’re the talk of the Css,” she said, voice rough like someone who’d spent more time shouting orders than studying. “They’re calling you ‘the bcksmith who broke the machines.’ Some say you cheated. Others say you’re a monster wearing a boy’s skin.”

  Zef finally looked at her.

  “And what do you say?”

  Elena’s scarred lip curled.

  “I say you’re dangerous.

  And I like dangerous.”

  She pushed off the frame and walked closer, studying him like a bde she was considering buying.

  “But dangerous doesn’t mean invincible.

  The Imperial Css eats people like you for breakfast.

  Reian Astria already has his eye on you.

  Liora Voss won’t stop talking about how ‘unrefined’ your style is.

  And Kaelen… well, Kaelen just watches.

  He doesn’t talk.

  He observes.”

  Zef’s expression didn’t change.

  “Let them watch.”

  Elena ughed — short, sharp.

  “You really don’t care, do you?”

  “I care about results,” Zef replied. “Not opinions.”

  She studied him for a long moment, then nodded once — like she’d just decided something.

  “First lesson tomorrow. Soul Magic.

  Master Veyra doesn’t tolerate weakness.

  If you’re as good as you pretend to be… try not to disappoint.”

  She turned to leave, then paused at the door.

  “One more thing.

  The Council is already whispering.

  They don’t like variables.

  And you, Zef… you’re the biggest variable they’ve seen in decades.”

  The door closed behind her.

  Zef remained by the window.

  The Silver Fox lifted its head and let out a soft, almost amused huff.

  He reached up and scratched behind its ears.

  “Tomorrow,” he murmured, “we begin learning what they think a soul should be.”

  Inside, another thought surfaced — cold, precise, inevitable:

  And when they realize what mine truly is…

  …they will wish they had never looked.

  [Daily Quest Updated: Attend First Soul Magic Lesson]

  [Reward: +500 Soul Power Experience, Minor Soul Resonance Insight]

  Zef closed his eyes.

  The Academy thought it was testing him.

  It had no idea he was the one doing the testing.