Normally, returning from the Galactic Cup, finalists, no less would've had the halls buzzing. Students would've run over asking for autographs, faculty would've been smiling like proud parents, and even the senior officials would've walked around with an extra bounce in their step.
But today the atmosphere felt different. Heavy. Like everyone sensed something strange drifting in the air but couldn't name it.
Blaze felt it the moment he stepped into the corridor outside Jason's office.
His brace hugged his ribs under his shirt, not painful but always present, like a quiet reminder he wasn't quite himself yet. The morning rehab session had gone fine, but his mind wasn't on the exercises. He kept replaying last night, Jason pacing his office, that tight look in his eyes, the words Aurion Capital sitting on Blaze's tongue like a stone.
He hadn't meant to overhear the call. But he had. And now everything felt tilted.
Before he could knock, Jason's door swung open.
