The next day came with no ceremony.
No announcement.
No whispered legend of a boy tied to the Veil.
Just Karl.
Another face among dozens, clutching a satchel too light, wearing an expression too heavy.
The classrooms weren't like the ones in Asterwall.
Everything here pulsed with quiet magic — floating lanterns, chalkboards that wrote themselves, seats that adjusted to the user's height and posture.
But the people were what truly stood out.
A girl with crystalline tattoos and hummingbird-speed hands.
A boy whose shadow kept moving slightly out of sync.
A pair of twins that answered questions before they were asked.
And Karl?
He just tried to sit in the back.
The instructor entered — a tall man with bark-colored skin and robes woven with what looked like leaves and silver thread.
"I am Instructor Ven of Natural Forms," he said. "Those who boast, leave now. Those who learn, stay. Today we speak of elemental absorption limits."
Karl listened. Carefully.
He didn't ask questions.
Didn't show off.
Didn't even tap into the mark — though it buzzed gently at his core the entire time.
Just below the surface.
Waiting.
After class, Karl found himself trailing the others toward the mess courtyard when a voice caught his ear.
"You're the one who froze the sparring circle, aren't you?"
He turned.
A short girl with ash-pink hair leaned against a pillar, chewing on some kind of mana-candy. Her uniform was scuffed, her energy casual but sharp. Her smile hinted at mischief.
"Karl, right? I'm Nyra."
He nodded slowly.
"You don't talk much."
"I just got here."
"So? I bet the frost thing wasn't even the cool part. You hiding something else?"
Karl didn't answer.
Didn't deny it.
Didn't confirm it.
Nyra tilted her head, grinning.
"That's okay. I like quiet people. They usually explode later."
As she walked off, Karl exhaled.
Blend in.
Stay low.
Only show them when it matters.
He touched the edge of his shirt — right over the mark.
Raiven was silent.
But not asleep.