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"I think it disagrees." Nyra says.

"I noticed."

By early afternoon, the Academy begins shifting. Books disappear. Training clothes replace uniforms. Sky Wing gathers on the western fields. Across the valley, I can already see Dawn Wing assembling beneath Caelen's watch.

Ash Wing occupies the rocky northern slopes. From this distance, I recognize Dax immediately. Even without hearing him, I can tell he's making someone run. Again. Nyra follows my gaze. "I don't envy any of you." She sighs.

"You shouldn't."

"I'll be identifying flowers."

"I hate you a little."

We part at the crossroads. "Survive." Cassian says.

"I'll try."

By the time I reach the training grounds, Rhyven is already there. Mara stands beside him with a clipboard, quietly discussing something while students begin filtering onto the field. I take my place beside Orin. He gives me a tired smile. "I can't feel my legs." He whines.

"You still have them." I laugh.

"Barely." He continues "I'm beginning to think Corvell enjoys suffering."

A voice behind us answers before I can. "No." Rhyven. "He enjoys improvement."

Several students glance toward him. He continues walking past us without another word.

Orin watches him disappear. "I stand corrected."

I bite back a smile. "So do I."

Training is somehow harder than yesterday. Not because the exercises change. Because Rhyven removes every opportunity to rely on habit. Obstacle courses become obstacle courses while carrying weighted shields. Balance drills become balance drills with closed eyes. Combat begins only after we're already exhausted. Every lesson builds on the last. Every mistake returns. Nothing is wasted.

Near sunset, he calls the Wing together. No speeches. Just one question. "What failed today?" Silence.

Finally, a second-year answers. "My endurance."

"Good."

Another. "My footing."

Rhyven nods. "Good."

A third. "I rushed."

Rhyven nods. "If you know what failed..." He says. "You know what to fix." He looks around the circle. "Dismissed." Simple. Efficient.

As everyone begins collecting their equipment, I realize something. Yesterday, I left training wondering whether I could survive another session. Today, I'm already thinking about doing better tomorrow. And somehow... without ever saying it aloud, Chief Corvell has convinced all of us to think the same way. Not because we fear disappointing him but because, little by little, he's teaching us not to disappoint ourselves.

Chapter Twenty

Sunday afternoons belong to the training grounds. Or so I've been told. Apparently, the Academy believes lectures are enough to exhaust the mind during the week. Weekends are reserved for exhausting everything else.

By the time Sky Wing finishes its morning conditioning, my arms feel as though they no longer belong to me. Rhyven dismisses us shortly before noon. No speeches. No congratulations. Only— "Report back at fourteen hundred." Someone behind me groans. Rhyven doesn't even turn around. "If you have enough energy to complain." He says while walking away. "You have enough energy to train." Mara doesn't hide her smile.

At precisely fourteen hundred, Sky Wing assembles outside the western gate. Something feels different. Not because of the weather. Because we aren't alone. Students from Dawn Wing arrive first, Caelen leading them across the courtyard with the same easy confidence he seems to carry everywhere.

He catches sight of me. His grin appears instantly. "Still alive?" He asks.