The following week, whispers swept through the Academy.
Students spoke of the "unregistered resonance" that shattered the garden's mana sensors.
And yet, both Kael and Yukino remained silent.
During combat class, Kael avoided her gaze.
Yukino bit her lip, trying to pretend the incident hadn't happened—
but every time she saw his golden eyes, her heart betrayed her.
When the bell rang, she found him alone in the courtyard.
> "Kael," she said softly, "that name I called you before... Tarou. Do you remember it?"
He turned away.
> "No. And you shouldn't say it again."
But his trembling hands said otherwise.
As she left, Kael pressed a palm to his chest.
Underneath, the mark pulsed again—like a heartbeat from another life.