The flight took less than an hour, yet it felt as though we were flying into an entirely new world.

  When the phoenixes descended, we saw that the Academy was still breathing ruins—but it had come back to life.

  Shattered towers were half restored, walls patched with runes, the courtyard filled with workers and students carrying planks, stones, books.

  But the strangest thing—

  No one at the entrance.

  No greeters.

  No teachers.

  No crowds of students.

  We were the first to arrive.

  Mira looked around and drawled:

  — Well… pretty.

  — Almost like after our childhood “cleanups.”

  I smirked.

  She turned sharply toward me, as if recalling our conversation in the air:

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  — Alright, Zen. Now seriously. What are your plans?

  I shrugged.

  — What plans should I have?

  She narrowed her eyes and started counting on her fingers:

  — Capture your friend’s heart?

  — Stop pretending to be weak?

  — Declare war on the demons?

  — Or all at once?

  — The first—no, — I said. — We’re still kids, Mira.

  She pretended to think.

  — Hmm… so you want to, but you’re shy.

  — Mira, no!

  — Yeah, sure. “No.”

  — Such a “no” that you can hear the “yes” from three kilometers away.

  I sighed.

  She stepped closer and poked my forehead.

  — Alright, listen here, little brother.

  — The main thing—no more hiding.

  — You showed your power. Everyone knows who you are now.

  — If you start playing weak again… I’ll personally drag you around the entire Academy by your ears.

  — I won’t, — I said quietly.

  — It’s become too… stupid. Unnecessary.

  — People suffered because of my “weakness.”

  Mira nodded, very seriously.

  — See? You’re growing up.

  Then she suddenly clapped her hands:

  — Okay, enough drama! Keep this up and you’ll turn into an old man, and what am I supposed to do with you then?

  — Alright. I’m off.

  She turned and headed toward the women’s dormitories.

  Then, without looking back, she shouted:

  — I’m going to my room! Gonna settle in!

  — See you tomorrow!

  — Don’t get bored without me, hero of the South!

  I smiled—genuinely.

  Standing on the steps of the half-ruined Academy, I realized:

  Tomorrow, a new chapter begins.

  And this time…

  I’m not going to hide my power.