LATER THAT DAY INSIDE THE MAIN TRAINING COURTYARD
ZAVIER
Word spread fast, too fast like the academy itself had decided this was entertainment. Students gathered, rows formed. Even instructors did not pretend this wasn't intentional.
"Why are we here?" Riko whispered.
"Public punishment." Ben said.
"I LOVE EDUCATIONAL SUFFERING-" Riko grinned.
"You are not the one suffering." Leo added.
"I CAN EMPATHIZE-"Riko grinned.
"You can't." Ben said.
"I CHOOSE NOT TO-"Riko tried again.
"That's more accurate." Leo nodded.
At the center, Ethan stood still. Not proud, not composed, forced, two guards behind him, not academy guards, different, still, silent and watching everything.
"Oh." Aiden said quietly.
"You see it." I said.
"Yes." He nodded. "They are here."
Around the courtyard more of them. Not obvious, not announced, but present. Standing near walls, on rooftops, by entrances, students did not notice immediately, but instincts did.
