The archive didn't like Mav.
Not that it rejected him.
It just... tolerated him. Like an ancient shrine humoring a drunk poet who refused to stop singing.
He skipped along the outer walkways with deliberate irreverence, running one hand across the forbidden scroll racks and spinning slowly beneath the high-vaulted light.
"Nice acoustics," he said cheerfully. "Almost makes up for the absence of hospitality."
Lio leaned against a stone column nearby, arms crossed. His eyes tracked Mav like a falcon watching a cat walk too close to the edge.
"You're not subtle," Lio said.
"I'm not quiet either," Mav replied, winking.
Brix, from across the room, said nothing. He sat with his back against the inner pillar wall, fists resting on his knees, flames simmering quietly across his knuckles.
Mav's eyes flitted to him.
"Ooooh, and you're the scary one," he said. "Wrath, right? You smolder. Very thematic."
"I burn," Brix said flatly. "And I don't miss."
Mav made a show of fanning his collar. "I like that."
[System Note: Lust Signature Active. Emotional Sync Rising – 32%.][Sin Imbalance Detected: Triad Threshold Approaching.][Status: Student Slots – 5 Remaining. Lust – Unregistered. Aura Influence: Caution Level: Yellow.]
Kairon lay nearby, using a bound scroll as a pillow and a closed book as a lap tray for an untouched cup of tea that had been cooling for over an hour.
"Do any of you know how to sit down quietly?" he muttered.
Mav looked genuinely offended. "That's your first line to me? Not 'welcome to the temple,' not 'thanks for not burning it down,' just—"
"You haven't burned anything yet," Kairon said. "Which is impressive, given your... energy."
"I'm Lust," Mav said with a hand flourish. "Energy's my whole thing."
Lio didn't look up. "And distraction."
"And desire," Mav said, sliding closer to him. "Want me to prove it?"
Lio turned his head slowly.
"Try," he said.
Brix was up before Mav even reached for Lio's coat.
He didn't speak this time.
He didn't need to.
The moment his boots struck stone, Mav danced back, hands raised.
"Whoa, whoa, I was flirting, not proposing."
"You don't touch anyone here," Brix growled. "Unless the Master says."
Mav blinked. Then looked at Kairon, still half-asleep on his side.
"He doesn't even know my name."
Kairon muttered, "Exactly."
Mav paused.
Then grinned.
"Is this what it is then? You all just stand around waiting to be picked?"
Lio finally turned toward him. "You wouldn't understand."
"No," Mav said, twirling on his heel, "I do understand. You want someone quiet enough that you can pour your chaos into them without judgment."
He looked directly at Kairon then.
"You're all looking for someone who won't leave when you break."
Kairon yawned. "Please break somewhere else."
The archive adjusted its weight again—glyphs glowing slightly.
The System pinged quietly:
[Lust Affinity Sync 41%. Emotional Pull: Growing.][Student Slot: Not Assigned. Influence Reaching Echo Level 1.]
And still, Mav hadn't been chosen.
But he was already changing the room.
Not with strength.
With suggestion.