Meanwhile, far away from Teacher Nolan, deep within the northern courtyard near the edge of the abandoned training arena, Delo walked nervously at the back of the group. Ramos led with a quiet intensity, flanked on both sides by his usual core—Jano, the loud one with fast fists; Rin, the wiry schemer with sharp eyes; and Tugg, the silent wall of muscle. The rest of the gang followed behind them, a loosely formed line of students once branded as failures, troublemakers, or worse.
They had found a secluded spot surrounded by overgrown hedges and fractured stone pillars, a place where Academy eyes didn't wander often. Here, they could talk freely.
Ramos turned to Delo, his expression firm. "Alright. Listen close. This ain't just about dodging punches anymore. You're one of us now. That means you follow our rules, you don't act on your own, and you wait for my signal if things go south."
Delo nodded. "I understand."
"No, you don't. Not yet. So let me explain."
