in the air, heav

the Aetheria Academy. It was a question given to graduating seniors. The stan

traight. She mentally pulled up her system's database, rea

e glued to t

oud yawn that forced her eyes to water. She didn't stand at att

zy, like she was discussing the weather. "The highest

ecame absolute. A few stu

ing a deep crease in his forehead. He d

usted. My only responsibility right now is making sure

a was digging her own grave. Silas was

, her eyes entirely devoid of ambi

t when danger comes, someone else will step up to save me. I don't

ssroom

ombat faction yelled, jumping to his

the Vanguard name!"

She didn't argue. Inste

dred percent right. I am a coward. You guys are so brave, you should

, but the words choked in his throat. It was like punching a cloud.

oked for a smirk. He loo

and completely empty of the desperate need for valida

ents go mad from the pressure of honor. But this girl... she had let it all go. She had stripped aw

g of ego. To so calmly admit weakness... she had taken the first, most difficult step

d in Silas's chest. The sound s

forcing the standing

oice ringing with profound respect. "To strip away the illusion of

na. "You pass, Serap

e had grown a second head. Her system panel flash

rifying professor. Did this old man really just

care. A pas

etallic clang that signal

e Seraphina one last, deeply respectf

shot at Seraphina were gone. Now, they looked at her wit

, grabbed her empty water bottle, and stro

ge. Seraphina was immune to her tricks. She needed a new