The next day arrived slower than usual. The academy felt different now—still lively, but calmer, as if everyone had finally remembered that they were students and not soldiers.
Arios spent the morning reviewing class notes he hadn't looked at in weeks. He sat by the window of his dorm, a book open on his desk, pen tapping lightly against the page. It wasn't like he enjoyed studying, but after so many battles, even the sound of paper turning felt like peace.
The door opened halfway through his quiet session. Lucy stepped inside, her uniform neat and her expression calm as usual.
"You're actually studying," she said, closing the door behind her.
Arios looked up. "Trying to remember what a normal day feels like."
She smiled faintly. "That's a good sign."
Liza entered right after, waving casually. "He's pretending to study, that's all. You can tell by how his pen's not even moving."
Arios gave her a flat look. "You're observant, but wrong."
