The holographic screens in the marshal's office glowed with overlapping reports. Every feed showed the same thing.
Ahce Qin, drenched from seawater, was hauling three unconscious students toward the sand with raw determination. The drone's perspective captured every labored breath, every frantic glance back at the roaring waves.
Eros Yin stood motionless. His expression didn't break, but the muscles in his jaw tightened, the only indication his calm was cracking.
Kevin approached, sweating despite the chilled temperature of the office. "Marshal… the imperial network is exploding. Rescue teams from all three major academies are contacting the council. They want to know why students are washing ashore half-dead."
Eros did not answer.
On the screen, Ahce collapsed onto her knees, panting, and checked each student's vitals with surprising efficiency. The divine fox cub, left behind with Tiffany, appeared briefly in the feed, glowing, anxious, sensing its master's distress.
