in the air, heav
the Aetheria Academy. It was a question given to graduating seniors. The stan
traight. She mentally pulled up her system's database, rea
e glued to t
oud yawn that forced her eyes to water. She didn't stand at att
zy, like she was discussing the weather. "The highest
ecame absolute. A few stu
ing a deep crease in his forehead. He d
usted. My only responsibility right now is making sure
a was digging her own grave. Silas was
, her eyes entirely devoid of ambi
t when danger comes, someone else will step up to save me. I don't
ssroom
ombat faction yelled, jumping to his
the Vanguard name!"
She didn't argue. Inste
dred percent right. I am a coward. You guys are so brave, you should
, but the words choked in his throat. It was like punching a cloud.
oked for a smirk. He loo
and completely empty of the desperate need for valida
ents go mad from the pressure of honor. But this girl... she had let it all go. She had stripped aw
g of ego. To so calmly admit weakness... she had taken the first, most difficult step
d in Silas's chest. The sound s
forcing the standing
oice ringing with profound respect. "To strip away the illusion of
na. "You pass, Serap
e had grown a second head. Her system panel flash
rifying professor. Did this old man really just
care. A pas
etallic clang that signal
e Seraphina one last, deeply respectf
shot at Seraphina were gone. Now, they looked at her wit
, grabbed her empty water bottle, and stro
ge. Seraphina was immune to her tricks. She needed a new
/1/113425/coverbig.jpg?v=5c23713511357255d985b3ed8f38a35e&imageMogr2/format/webp)