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"It was quiet suffering."

Rowan drops into the empty seat beside Nyra carrying enough food for what appears to be an expedition. "Ash Wing starts with endurance." She sounds delighted. "Dax said we'd throw up before lunch."

Nyra blinks. "Why did that make you smile?"

"I appreciate honesty."

"You concern me."

Rowan notices my schedule. "Oh." Her grin widens. "Sky Wing." She adds.

"Yes."

"With Mr. Sunshine."

I sigh. "Please don't call him that."

Her grin grows. "Why?"

"Because if he hears you, he'll somehow make it my problem."

Cassian nods thoughtfully. "That feels accurate."

Sky Wing gathers on the eastern training grounds shortly after first bell. Unlike the central combat fields, these grounds sit along the cliffs overlooking the dragon valleys. The terrain is uneven. Rock formations interrupt the paths. Small pine trees grow stubbornly from cracks in the stone. Natural obstacles. Nothing here feels designed.

Twenty first-years arrive in loose groups. Some talk quietly. Others stretch in preparation for what everyone assumes will be physical training. Elias adjusts the leather wrapping around his wrists for the third time. Tessa rolls her shoulders. Anika bounces lightly on her feet. Even Selena has tied her hair higher than usual. Everyone expects combat. The second-years are already waiting.

Deputy Mara stands near the edge of the field speaking with another officer while several upper-years unpack wooden practice weapons from large crates. Good. At least someone brought swords.

Then Rhyven arrives. He carries...Books. Twenty identical black notebooks balanced beneath one arm. No weapons. No armor. No training equipment. Just notebooks. The entire Wing watches him. Confused. He reaches the center of the clearing. Looks at us. Then begins handing one notebook to each student. No explanation.

When he reaches me, he places one in my hands. Blank leather cover. No title. No Academy crest. Just black. I look from the notebook to him.

"This is..." I start.

"A notebook." He says.

"I can see that."

"Excellent."

He continues walking. Someone clears his throat behind me.

"What exactly are we training?"

Rhyven answers without turning around. "Observation."

Silence. Another student laughs uncertainly. No one joins him. Elias looks down at his notebook as though hoping a sword might appear inside it. Nothing. Across the neighboring field, Ash Wing erupts into cheers. Dax has apparently instructed them to race uphill carrying sandbags. Rowan catches sight of us.

She cups her hands around her mouth. "Corvell!"

Rhyven doesn't even look. "What?"

"You gave them homework?" Rowan asks.

"No."

"Worse?"