Henry awoke to the soft, sterile light of the Solstice Tower, the phantom sensation of a sword through his chest a dull, lingering memory. He got dressed, the routine a small anchor in the storm of his existence.
The next class was "Geomantic Theory," a subject so dry it made Henry's head spin. He sat in his usual spot, a pariah with a divine bodyguard. Most of the other students gave his table a wide berth, their fear from his midnight sermon a palpable thing. Only Kaelen, ever the loyal friend, slid into the seat opposite him, offering a cheerful "Morning!" that was met with a chorus of nervous glances.
As the professor droned on about ley lines, a different conversation was happening on a plane only Henry could perceive.
"I must admit, that was quite the reaction last night," Tsukuyomi's voice echoed in his mind, laced with pure, unadulterated glee. "You were as red as a sun-ripened berry. I didn't know you had it in you, little sister."
A wave of indignant energy pulsed from Helia beside him. "He was attempting to destabilize me with your childish provocations. It was a tactical failure on his part."
"Oh, was it? It looked quite successful from where I was sitting," Tsukuyomi purred. "You have a body now, Helia. A mortal form with mortal urges. You should… have fun. Loosen up that divine stick you have lodged in your…"
"My duty to contain this anomaly and guide this boy is infinitely more important than your definition of 'fun'," Helia retorted, her mental voice sharp as ice.
Henry, caught in the crossfire of this divine bickering, felt his face grow warm. He didn't understand the full context, but the undertones of the conversation were enough to make him blush furiously, sinking lower in his seat.
The bell finally rang, signaling the end of class. As students began to file out, Lyra marched toward their table, her expression a mask of defiant arrogance.
"I saw your red cheeks, 'Just-Henry'," she said, her voice loud enough for those nearby to hear. "Don't tell me you're actually falling for Master Helia." She looked the goddess up and down with a flicker of grudging respect before smirking at Henry. "I know she's beautiful, but come on. She's way out of your league."
Henry's blush deepened. "T-this has nothing to do with her beauty!" he stammered, mortified.
Helia, who had been silent, turned her golden gaze upon Lyra. "Wasn't it you," she said, her voice dangerously soft, "who told him he was handsome just a few days ago? Perhaps you are projecting your own thoughts onto this... little talk."
The direct hit landed with pinpoint accuracy. Lyra's jaw dropped for a second. The blood drained from her face, only to rush back in a furious, crimson tide. She had been caught, red-handed, by a goddess. Without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the classroom, fuming.
Henry stared after her, bewildered, then looked at Helia. "Uh, thanks."
"Hahahahaha!" Tsukuyomi's laughter erupted in his mind. "Now there's one more for the fun! Oh, this is getting better and better!"
Before Henry could process the chaotic scene, the Geomantic Theory professor approached, accompanied by Headmistress Elara. Her face was grim.
"Mr. Henry, a word," Elara said, her violet eyes studying him intently. "We need a report. Your... outburst... has raised significant concerns. Can you control the nocturnal entity?"
"No," Henry answered honestly.
"And the voice of your guardian, Joseph. Can you still feel his presence?" she pressed.
Henry hesitated, the memory of the battle at the gate still fresh. Before he could answer, Helia spoke.
"Joseph's spirit is engaged in a constant struggle to maintain the seal from within," she explained, providing a sanitized version of the truth. "The entity is actively fighting him. Henry's connection to Joseph is... compromised."
Elara and the professor exchanged a worried glance. The situation was deteriorating faster than they had anticipated. Their student wasn't just a boy with a power problem; he was the cage for a war, and the bars were starting to break.