They were roughly the same height, but standing across from Cassian, Ezra couldn't help but feel smaller.
Not physically.
Just… less.
Cassian was still. Too still. No crossed arms, no lazy posture. Just quiet poise, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, like he was here by accident and still somehow in charge of the moment.
There was no smirk. No sarcasm.
Only a look that made Ezra feel like he was being weighed, not judged. Measured. Filed away.
And then—subtle as a shifting breeze—Cassian's expression changed. Not by much. Just the faintest pull at the corner of his mouth, like he'd remembered something mildly amusing.
"You actually finished?"
His voice was low, effortless. Not mocking—just… observant.
Ezra gave a stiff shrug. "Yeah. I did."
Cassian tilted his head slightly. The silence between them lingered a little too long.
"You're competing in the Ember Games, aren't you?"
Ezra blinked, wary. "Why do you care?"
Cassian smiled.
Not the warm kind.
"Who said I did?"
He said it like fact, not insult. No venom. No edge. Just that calm, unreadable tone that made the back of Ezra's neck prickle.
"You're interesting, Valentine," Cassian added, turning slightly. "Not promising. Just… interesting."
And with that, he walked off—no theatrics, no last word. Just a smooth exit, like he hadn't just wrapped the entire conversation around Ezra's throat and walked away before he noticed.
Ezra stood still for a long moment after he left, jaw tight.
He didn't know whether he wanted to punch the guy…
…or figure out what the hell he'd meant.
The rest of the day blurred by.
Ezra finished the last of his exams, though his thoughts still lingered on that hallway interaction. He wasn't too sure how well he did in Arcane Studies, but when it came to combat?
He knew he'd nailed it.
The relentless drills with his professor had done more than wear him down—they'd sharpened him. His movements had purpose now. His instincts were honed. His grip on resonance had grown steadier. And for once… he didn't feel like an imposter anymore.
The instructors noticed too.
They didn't say it outright, but their glances lingered just a bit longer. Their nods held something almost like approval. Subtle, but unmistakable.
That night, Ezra sat on his bed, flicking halfheartedly through his interface, exhaustion pulling at his limbs.
Then something caught his eye.
A new entry. Something he'd missed before.
[Entity Identified: Sol]
Status: Dormant
Designation: Guardian of the Chamber of Dawn
Synchronization: 4% (Low – Unable to fully manifest)
Aether Signature: Fluctuating
Classification: Unknown
Soul Connection: Linked (Depth: 3%)
Manifestation: Available (Can be summoned at will – Current form restricted)
Ezra frowned, staring at the glowing text.
His heart gave a slow, uncertain thump.