The days set aside for rest were put to proper use by the students. The academy grounds, usually alive with the sounds of footfalls and lively chatter, lay unusually quiet throughout most of the day. Pathways stood empty beneath the stone arches, training yards were left untouched, and even the towers seemed to breathe more softly. Only when the bells rang for meals did small groups appear, moving with unspoken agreement before dispersing again just as quickly.
No one dared to be stubborn enough to train in secret or test their limits against Kaelen's direct advice. Fatigue had been earned honestly over the past weeks, and the weight of the coming evaluation was enough to keep even the most restless students in check. Rest was not laziness now—it was preparation.
