Zane sat on the edge of the bed, the soft golden light of dawn spilling through the window. For once, he was up before Sera. She lay curled beneath the covers, her usually fiery expression softened in sleep. Strands of silver-blonde hair tumbled over her face, rising and falling gently with each breath.
He couldn't help but smile. She looks so peaceful when she's not throwing pillows or panicking about being chased...
A gentle wisp of shadow shimmered near his shoulder—Nyx, half-formed, her glowing violet eyes fixed on the sleeping girl.
"So this is the one who keeps crawling into your bed, hmm?" Nyx said, her tone teasing but low enough not to wake Sera. "She's... energetic."
Zane rolled his eyes. "You've been watching the whole time, haven't you?"
Nyx chuckled softly. "Only when I'm bored. But don't worry, your secret's safe... for now."
Zane shook his head with a slight smirk, then stood up and quietly grabbed his academy uniform. He moved silently toward the small wardrobe and began getting dressed, careful not to make a sound.
Just then, a bell echoed through the academy halls—deep, resounding, and impossible to ignore.
BOOM... BOOM... BOOM...
Sera stirred and sat up, rubbing her eyes groggily. "Ugh... what time is it?"
Zane buttoned the collar of his uniform. "Assembly time. Everyone's being called to the main ground."
Sera blinked twice, then frowned. "Wait—I'm still in your room?"
Nyx materialized fully and grinned. "Yes. Scandalous, truly."
Sera groaned, falling back into the pillows. "I'm never going to hear the end of this..."
Zane offered his hand. "Come on. We'll walk together. Maybe no one noticed."
Sera grabbed his hand, grinning. "You'll protect me if they did, right?"
He just sighed with a small smirk. "Let's go."