Meanwhile…
Far from the northern gates, within the main campus of the Imperial Soulforge Academy, a bored student sentry slouched in his chair inside the surveillance control room.
He wore a black tunic, the mark of a cadet who had earned the uniform.
He had been assigned to menial duties, but thought it a good idea to relax a bit.
He had one boot propped on the console, a steaming cup of coffee balanced dangerously close to expensive equipment.
And a handheld game console rested in his lap.
Above were rows of floating monitors showing different academy sectors like the training yards, dorm halls, sparring arenas, and all four gate entrances.
The sentry glanced lazily at the north gate feed.
Two white-clad figures stood before the colossal doors.
He snorted.
"Freshmen clowns… this late in the year?" he muttered, shaking his head. "Unlucky bastards."
He took a sip of coffee and went back to his game.
Minutes passed.
Then something made him glance up again.
