The winds shifted as a portal opened in a thin, grassy field beneath a cloudless sky. Two figures descended from within—one a student, the other a broad-bodied, anthropomorphic bull. No one came to greet them. Neither seemed to care.

  “Thank you for escorting me,” Adam said with a polite smile.

  “I was only doing my duty,” Vokha replied, smiling back. “I’ll be off now.”

  The guard leapt back through the portal, which sealed itself behind him. The winds stirred once more, then settled into silence.

  Adam’s smile faded the instant the portal vanished. He turned, surveying the majestic buildings encircling the field—sights he knew all too well.

  I’m finally back…

  I’m lucky that Aviskin brought me here.

  His gaze fixed on the entrance to the Registration Hall. Flowers and creeping vines blanketed its exterior, just as he remembered—lush, vibrant, and alive.

  I’ve been to countless places these past months, he thought, but none of them can compare to this.

  A pleasant fragrance drifted toward him as he approached the colorful entrance.

  “New or active student?” a voice asked from within.

  “Active student.”

  “What is the purpose of your visit?”

  “I’m here to register for a reappraisal of my Blessing.”

  “Proceed to the sixth floor.”

  The yellow flowers embedded in the door began to glow, releasing a mist-like essence. The tangled vines slowly unraveled, revealing a colorless portal several feet wide. The mist gathered around Adam’s body, clinging to him like a living veil.

  Is this what Elliot mentioned in his report?

  An Omen-detecting mist…

  Good thing they can’t tell how I awakened.

  “Please step into the portal,” the voice urged.

  Adam inhaled deeply and stepped forward.

  The world twisted and churned. When the sensation faded, he found himself in a dimly lit hallway, a lone counter waiting at its far end. His eyes swept the space, confusion flickering across his face.

  What am I supposed to do here?

  He turned, but the darkness behind him swirled endlessly. The portal was gone. The only source of light—a neon-green lamp—flickered erratically overhead.

  From somewhere ahead, a voice rang out. “Are you here to register for a reappraisal?”

  Adam turned toward the counter as the melodic—almost demonic—voice reached him.

  “Don’t be startled. It’s only me.”

  A figure rose into view behind the counter. “Come closer,” she said pleasantly. “I imagine you have other matters to attend to.”

  A young woman beckoned him forward with a charming smile. Long green hair spilled over her shoulders, stark against her smooth caramel skin. Like most Varidan personnel, she wore a black suit beneath a viridescent trench coat.

  Adam didn’t move.

  Is she using enchantment?

  An inexplicable allure stirred within him as she spoke—subtle, but insistent. The longer he looked at her, the stronger it became. Though she paled beside certain women he had met before, none matched her presence.

  Except X.

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  Adam took a steadying breath and crossed the distance in brisk steps.

  She’s not as refined at projecting charm as X, he thought, but she feels far more powerful.

  “You’re in luck, Student 009,” she said with a faint smile. “Or would you prefer I call you Adam?”

  “Adam is fine. Why am I lucky?”

  A fragrance—fresh berries blended with sweet spices—hung in the air. To ground himself, Adam lowered his gaze to the bronze nameplate on the counter.

  Ga?lle Camille.

  “Today is the final day for reappraisals this year,” Camille said. “Had you arrived any later, your request would’ve been denied.”

  She placed a bronze crucifix amulet on the counter. “This is all you need for the reappraisal. Bring it to the testing area on the first floor.”

  Adam nodded. “When does the test begin?”

  Camille raised three fingers. “Three hours.” She leaned casually against the counter. “You may head there now or later—the choice is yours.”

  She paused, studying him intently. “Be warned: if you fail, you won’t be eligible for another appraisal for at least a year.”

  “Thanks for the warning.”

  “I wish you good luck, Adam.”

  He lingered for a heartbeat before taking the amulet. “Thank you.”

  “I’m only doing my job,” she said with a soft giggle, gesturing toward the unlit end of the hallway. “Walk into the darkness, and you’ll return outside.”

  Adam slipped the amulet into his pocket and turned away, his steps slow and measured as he entered the shadows.

  Elliot really did his homework, Adam thought. Everything matches the reports.

  For such a carefree guy, he’s surprisingly resourceful.

  The darkness swallowed him.

  The vines at the entrance parted once more, and Adam reappeared where he had started.

  How do I kill the next three hours? He rubbed his chin. Right—Hendrix. Haven’t seen him in months.

  Then his thoughts soured. That substitute made a mess of things while I was gone. Where do I even start?

  Adam sighed.

  “It’s you.”

  He turned at the familiar voice and spotted a male and female instructor approaching. His attention lingered on the woman—something about her felt disturbingly familiar.

  Isn’t she the one who registered my Blessing?

  Did she cut her hair?

  Arianna von Fitzgerald walked beside an unfamiliar—but undeniably handsome—man as they approached the Registration Hall. They wore matching suits beneath white trench coats, yet Arianna looked markedly different from before. Her black hair now barely brushed the nape of her neck.

  She’s even wearing a nose ring now…

  Is this her rebellious phase or something?

  Adam suppressed a chuckle, his gaze lingering on the small golden ring adorning her septum. Once he’d taken in the changes, he shifted his attention to the man beside her—but by then, the pair had already reached him.

  “Adam, was it?” Arianna asked with a polite smile.

  “I’m surprised you remembered,” Adam replied, returning the gesture with a nod.

  Arianna cleared her throat lightly. “It’s been a while, but your reputation tends to leave an impression,” she said, her grin edged with something knowing.

  The corner of Adam’s eye twitched as fragments of Elliot’s report resurfaced in his mind. His smile faded.

  He turned to the blond man beside her, waiting for an introduction—but Arianna spoke first.

  “This is my teacher,” she said curtly. “He’s not someone you need to know.”

  Then, without missing a beat, she asked, “Why are you standing in front of the Registration Hall?”

  “Nice to meet you,” Adam said, briefly acknowledging the man, who responded with a simple nod.

  Adam’s attention returned to Arianna. “I had a minor matter to attend to,” he said, offering no further explanation. “I’m finished now. I won’t take up more of your time. Take care.”

  With a final nod to both of them, Adam turned and walked away.

  Arianna watched him go until he disappeared from sight.

  “Ari, who was that?” Amittai asked.

  She turned toward her teacher, though his gaze remained fixed on the spot Adam had occupied moments earlier.

  “He’s not someone you should concern yourself with,” she said dismissively. “Just a playboy with too much time on his hands.”

  Amittai chuckled as he turned toward the Registration Hall, motioning for her to follow. “He’s young, energetic, and with a face like that, it’d be stranger if he weren’t.”

  Arianna scoffed. She had no interest in entertaining such trivial observations.

  Before they could enter the building, a voice called out, “I thought I’d find you here.”

  Both Arianna and Amittai turned.

  “Dean Hensley, good morning,” Arianna said, bowing slightly. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “She’s here for me, Ari,” Amittai interjected smoothly. “I remembered some business I need to handle. I’ll find you once I’m done.”

  He rested his hands briefly on Arianna’s shoulders, prompting her to straighten.

  “I’ll see you later, then,” she said, turning back to the dean. “If you’ll excuse me, ma’am.”

  Hensley nodded, offering no reply.

  Arianna proceeded alone toward the Registration Hall. Moments later, a blue portal flared—and she vanished.

  Amittai stepped closer to the dean. “Are you still angry with her?” he asked quietly. “You know it wasn’t her fault.”

  Hensley’s glare was sharp. “The only reason she hasn’t been demoted is because she’s your student.”

  Amittai’s lips curved into a strained smile. “But—”

  “I didn’t come here to discuss that,” Hensley cut in. “It’s time for the meeting. The others are already gathered.”

  “The Coalition Head is here?” Amittai raised a brow.

  Hensley nodded.

  Amittai’s shoulders sagged. “There goes the rest of the day. Hours wasted circling back to that flower—”

  “Lower your voice,” Hensley said calmly. “You never know who might be listening. Come. We’re already late.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

  A portal bloomed open before them, and the two disappeared without another word.