Sunset in the Prime Zone made everything look beautiful. As the sky darkened, the lanterns turned on automatically, lighting up the area.

Holden walked straight home.

The estate lights came on as he approached. Through the kitchen window, he could see the light on and the shadow of movement inside.

He stepped inside and closed the front door.

Before he went into the kitchen, he stopped.

He mentally reached into his system inventory. The Silver Chest appeared in front of him, floating in the air. Only he could see it.

He pressed the latch.

Click.

The chest opened. A silver, glowing token floated out. The system screen popped up.

[Loot Acquired: Aegis Formation Array. Rank 2 Area Defense.]

Holden looked at the token. A Rank 2 ward. This was a much better shield than anything the academy merchant sold in the supply office.

He reached into his jacket pocket and felt his 50,000 credit token. He had planned to spend all of it today to keep Maeve safe. Now, he didn’t have to.

The system had just saved him fifty grand. He could keep all that money for himself. He could use it to buy something to make himself stronger later.

He smiled.

Then he pressed the glowing Aegis token against the front door. The token melted into the wood. A soft, invisible wave of energy spread through the walls of the entire house.

Nobody was getting through it without his permission.

He came into the kitchen.

The smell of food met him immediately.

She stood at the stove with a look of deep concentration. She was trying to cook two things at once and clearly didn’t have time for a third problem. Her book sat on the table, turned over to a new Chapter.

"You’re late, she said without looking up.

"Had some things to sort out," he said.

"The soup is going to be too thick."

"I don’t mind it being thick"

He sat down at the table.

"How was your day?" Maeve asked, still at the stove.

He thought about the evaluation center and all that happened at the courtyard.

"Productive," he said.

She brought two bowls to the table and sat down across from him, pushing her book to the side with her elbow. The soup was, as promised, slightly thick.

She opened her book.

He watched her read for a second, noticing the tiny wrinkle in her forehead that only showed up when she was deep in a story.

He took a moment to reflect on his progress. He thought about the system and the multiplier that gave him such an edge. He had 350 KP in his balance, a Star-Forged sword in his inventory, and the new Aegis Ward silently protecting the estate.

He thought about the question the bruiser asked in the courtyard.

What are you.

He looked at Maeve turning a page, completely unbothered, and thought that the answer, if he was honest about it, was pretty simple.

He was her brother.

Everything else was just tools for making sure that stayed true.

He picked up his spoon.

He was about four scoops into his soup when his academy watch began to beep. The watch was a basic black band used for school schedules and reminders, and it almost never made a sound. This time was different. It was emitting a sharp, urgent alert rather than a normal notification. He quickly looked down at the screen to see what was happening.

One message. The sender ID was not administrative.

Vespera, E. Instructor, Senior Division.

He looked at the message.

Voss. My office. Tonight. This is not a request.

Maeve looked up from her book when she heard the beep. She watched his face closely. She knew him so well that she could tell the difference between him being truly okay and him just pretending to be okay when something bad had happened.

"Go," she said.

"I’m finishing the soup," holden said.

"The soup will be here when you get back." She was already turning the page.

"Go."

He looked at the watch, the message, and the name of the person who sent it.

It was Instructor Vespera. The cold-eyed woman from the VIP box. The one who had been watching his sword hand during the Jaguar fight while everyone else was watching the Jaguar.

He finished the soup.

Then he stood up, adjusted his jacket, and stepped back out into the night.