Tovin woke before the academy bell.
Not because he enjoyed mornings.
He simply didn't need an alarm anymore.
The routine had become instinct.
He sat on the edge of his bed for a moment before letting out a quiet yawn.
"...Morning already."
Outside, the first rays of sunlight crept over the academy walls.
Students would begin filling the courtyards soon.
Some would be early.
Most would be late.
Nothing unusual.
Tovin stood, stretched lazily, and left the dormitory.
---
The academy was slowly coming to life.
Students hurried between buildings, worried about arriving before the morning bell.
Others laughed with friends as though they had not a care in the world.
Tovin walked through the middle of them.
Unhurried.
Hands in his pockets.
A first-year sprinted past him.
"Sorry!"
Tovin didn't even look back.
"...Still runs everywhere."
Further ahead, another student leaned against a pillar, desperately trying to finish homework before class.
"...Still leaves everything until the last minute."
His expression remained bored.
Yet his eyes quietly drifted from student to student.
One argued with a friend.
Another skipped breakfast again.
Someone else had started favouring their left leg after training too hard.
Tiny things.
Most people never noticed them.
Tovin always did.
---
He entered the main courtyard.
Near the ranking monument stood a familiar figure.
Auren Valcrest.
Standing alone.
Calm as ever.
Students naturally gave him space.
Not because he demanded it.
Because his presence alone was enough.
Tovin's gaze lingered for only a moment.
"...Still first."
Then he continued walking.
---
Further along the path...
Caelan Strade exited one of the academy buildings with several books tucked beneath one arm.
He greeted passing students politely before disappearing into another corridor.
Tovin watched him leave.
"...Earlier than usual."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Then he kept walking.
---
Finally...
He spotted Kael.
Already reading.
Already studying.
Already improving.
The sight almost made Tovin smile.
Almost.
"...You're changing."
Kael looked up from his notebook.
"Hm?"
"You've been staring."
Tovin blinked once.
"...Have I?"
"You have."
"...Must be tired."
Kael stared for another second before returning to his notes.
Tovin walked away.
---
Lessons passed quietly.
Instructor Vaelis spent the morning explaining battlefield coordination between different Path types.
Most students focused on the diagrams.
Tovin focused on the students.
One constantly tapped his foot whenever he was nervous.
Another answered questions before thinking.
A third always glanced toward the strongest student in the room before making decisions.
Patterns.
Everyone had them.
Most never realised.
---
A sharp tap struck the back of Tovin's head.
He looked down.
A pencil rested on his desk.
The student behind him quickly looked away, pretending to listen to the lesson.
Without a word, Tovin picked the pencil up.
He placed it on the student's desk.
"You dropped this."
The boy frowned.
"...I didn't."
Tovin simply continued facing the front of the room.
---
When lessons ended, students poured into the corridors.
Dren caught up with Kael almost immediately.
"You training after dinner?"
"As usual."
"I'll join you."
"Fine."
The two walked ahead together.
Talking quietly.
Tovin followed several paces behind.
Watching.
Listening.
Neither of them noticed.
Good.
---
Outside, the afternoon breeze swept through the academy grounds.
The training fields echoed with the sounds of steel striking steel.
Mana flashed in the distance.
Students chased strength.
Some through talent.
Others through effort.
Tovin looked toward the sky.
"...Not yet."
The words escaped him before he realised.
He lowered his gaze again.
Kael had already disappeared toward the training grounds.
Tovin stood alone for another moment.
His expression remained as unreadable as ever.
Then he quietly followed behind.