The moon hung high above the western ridge, casting pale light across the academy's glass-paneled towers and walkways. Most of the campus had quieted—study halls dimmed, training fields cleared, and the last few curfew-dodgers slipping into shadows.

Aston moved through the residential wing, footsteps soft against the polished floor.

The group mission had been simple—a scouting run near the Spiritwell Glade just outside the northern trail. Quick scans, two minor pest-type beasts neutralized, and a sample retrieval for a mid-tier alchemy request. Clean. Efficient. He'd even earned another two AP from it.

The door to his dorm slid open with a faint click.

He stepped in—and froze.

Ren was there.

The elusive roommate stood by his desk, zipping up a field pack. His uniform jacket was half-draped over the chair, and his ever-present feline spirit beast—a sleek, long-legged cat with mist-colored fur and reflective eyes—was curled atop his bed, tail twitching.

Aston had always wondered about Ren. They shared a room, technically. But in practice?

Ren was rarely present.

He wasn't just quiet—he was invisible. He missed meals, skipped non-core classes, and slipped through the dorm so silently that Aston often forgot he had a roommate at all.

And yet… he was still here.

Which meant only one thing.

"You passed the AP threshold," Aston said quietly, setting down his satchel.

Ren glanced over his shoulder, offering a crooked smile. "Surprised?"

"A little."

"Most are." Ren chuckled, voice relaxed. "That's the point."

Aston narrowed his eyes slightly, though his tone remained casual. "Still. Not easy. You'd have to work hard to meet the requirement with how little we see you."

Ren shrugged. "I'm good at vanishing."

Thorn let out a soft chirp, stretching before hopping to Ren's shoulder with casual grace.

"You thinking of joining the First-Year Arena?" Ren asked suddenly.

Aston paused mid-motion, halfway through unfastening his outer coat.

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"I'm considering it," he replied evenly.

Ren smiled again, lopsided and unreadable. "Well… I'll be cheering you on. From the shadows, maybe. But still cheering."

Aston didn't answer. He studied Ren's posture, the way he moved—too balanced, too smooth. More like a field agent than a student. But he didn't press.

Ren fastened his pack, scooped up his spirit beast with practiced ease, and moved toward the door.

"Got another mission. Won't be back 'til dawn."

Aston gave a nod. "Good luck."

With a lazy wave, Ren slipped out the door—and was gone.

—

The room fell into stillness again.

Aston set his bag aside and seated himself cross-legged on the padded meditation mat. Mirage nestled along the windowsill, wings folded. Gray curled at the foot of his bed, eyes half-lidded, though alert.

He steadied his breathing.

Yet, a quiet unease lingered.

Ren wasn't just evasive. He was strategic.

And something told Aston that the boy's existence at Dawn Crest wasn't just due to personal talent.

It was... allowed.

He closed his eyes and sank into focus, letting Nova's interface drift across his vision in dim overlays.

The hum of spiritlight faded as the dorm sank into night.

—

But above, the roof was not so still.

Ren moved silently across the tiles, his cat perched beside him like a sentinel.

He tapped a crystal shard embedded in his bracer, and the air shimmered. A brief pulse of encrypted essence.

A moment later, a sigil flickered open—a projection ring forming in the air before him.

Darius appeared in profile—his imperial robes subdued, his hair tied back, the crest of the empire barely visible on his collar.

Ren bowed his head.

"Report," Darius said.

"Aston is planning to enter the First-Year Arena. He didn't say it outright, but his posture gave it away. He's preparing."

Darius was silent for a beat. Then, a faint smile tugged at his mouth.

"As expected. Continue to monitor. Do not interfere unless required. If he breaks pattern, inform me immediately."

"Yes, sir."

Darius inclined his head once. "And Ren…"

The younger boy straightened.

"Well done."

The call winked out.

Ren stood quietly on the rooftop, the stars reflected in his eyes, the breeze brushing against his coat.

His spirit beast nuzzled his neck once, and with a fluid motion, the two disappeared into the night.

—

Back in the dorm, Aston exhaled slowly, the gentle pulse of meditation anchoring him.

He didn't hear the transmission above.

But he'd always known the academy was filled with watchers.

And some eyes… never blinked.

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