The training hall was quiet and empty. Just how Noah wanted it.
The one usually reserved for his group was occupied.
He'd seen Damien and Arlo there earlier, sparring hard enough to shake the walls.
He had no interest in listening to their chatter, or worse, their questions. He needed privacy. Silence. Space to push himself.
Classes for the day were finished, the sun already moving towards the horizon, painting the high glass windows of the hall with soft gold.
Noah dropped his satchel by the wall, pulling out the parchment from his spatial ring.
Aegis of Hades.
The white parchment shimmered faintly, the spell formation drawn in lines so dark they seemed to absorb light around it.
He studied it in silence, tracing each curl and angle, committing it to memory.
Time bled away as he focused, every line slotting into place in his mind's eye.
