Natalia’s fury cracked. Just barely. The corners of her mouth twitched. "You’re impossible."

"But effective."

"It was a draw."

"A technicality."

Emi finished her healing, the blue light fading as she stepped back. She swayed slightly, the effort clearly taxing her reserves.

"You need to rest," I told her.

"So do you," she countered. "But the president is waiting."

Right. That.

Natalia helped me off the table, her touch gentler than her words suggested. "Skylar said to tell you it was ’entertainingly stupid,’ which from her is practically a declaration of love."

"And Celeste?"

"Hasn’t said a word. She’s been sitting with her sister since they pulled you off the field."

I stood carefully, testing my freshly healed body. Everything hurt, but in a distant way, like pain remembered rather than actively felt. Emi’s healing was incredible.

"Thanks," I said, squeezing her hand.

She squeezed back. "Don’t make a habit of this."

"No promises."

President Vance’s office occupied the top floor of the Administration Tower, offering a panoramic view of the entire island. The sun had set completely now, and the city lights twinkled beneath us like fallen stars.

Seraphina Vance sat behind an imposing black desk, her silver-white hair pulled into a severe bun. She looked like an older, harder version of Celeste, with the same piercing blue eyes but none of the hidden warmth.

Reyna stood before the desk, her combat suit replaced with a clean Olympus Rising uniform. She’d been patched up too, though she still favored her left side.

Celeste sat in a chair to the right, her expression carefully blank. When our eyes met, something flickered across her face too quickly to read.

"Mr. Nakano," President Vance said, not standing. "How kind of you to join us."

Her voice dripped with Arctic frost. I immediately understood where Celeste got her ice-princess routine.

"Sorry for the delay. Had to put some organs back where they belonged."

Reyna snorted. President Vance did not.

"Sit."

I sat.

"Let me be clear," she continued. "What happened today was unacceptable. The Crucible is for controlled combat exercises, not blood feuds."

"With respect, Madam President," Reyna said, "it was a sanctioned duel."

"Which nearly resulted in two top prospects being sidelined before the tournament even begins." Vance’s gaze cut between us. "Do you have any idea how many sponsors were watching today? How many professional guilds?"

Actually, I hadn’t thought about that at all. I’d been too busy trying not to die.

"The tournament," Vance continued, "is our premier recruiting event. It showcases the best talent this Academy has to offer. Talent that should not be wasted on personal vendettas."

"It wasn’t personal," I said.

Vance raised a perfect eyebrow.

"It was professional," I clarified. "She challenged me formally." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"To what end, Ms. Cabana?"

Reyna straightened slightly. "Intelligence gathering."

"Explain."

"I suspected Nakano was hiding something. His registered stats didn’t match his combat performance. I needed confirmation."

Vance’s eyes narrowed. "And did you get it?"

"Yes." Reyna glanced at me. "He’s much stronger than he appears."

"Hmm." Vance steepled her fingers. "And you, Mr. Nakano. What was your objective in accepting this challenge?"

I thought about lying. Considered some bullshit about honor or proving myself.

Fuck it.

"She pissed me off."

Celeste closed her eyes briefly, as if praying for patience.

"I see." Vance’s mouth tightened. "Refreshingly honest, at least." She stood, circling her desk to stand before us. "Here’s what will happen now. The tournament begins in three weeks. Until then, you will both focus exclusively on preparation with your respective guilds. There will be no more unsanctioned duels, no confrontations, no ’intelligence gathering.’ Is that clear?"

"Yes, Madam President," Reyna said smoothly.

I nodded. "Crystal."

"Excellent." She turned to Celeste. "Would you escort Mr. Nakano back to his dormitory? Ensure he actually makes it there without further incident."

Celeste stood gracefully. "Of course."

"Ms. Cabana, stay a moment. I’d like a word about your sponsor’s expectations for the tournament."

As Celeste led me toward the door, Reyna caught my eye one last time. That same predatory smile played at her lips, but now there was something else there too. Respect, maybe.

Or hunger.

Celeste didn’t speak as we rode the elevator down. Her silence felt heavier than Natalia’s anger or Emi’s concern.

When the doors opened on the ground floor, she finally turned to me. "How much pain are you in right now?"

"Not much. Emi fixed me up pretty well."

"Liar." She pressed her palm gently against my chest, right where her sister’s stiletto had rested. "I can feel your heart racing."

"That might be for other reasons."

Her lips curved slightly. "Always the charmer, even half-dead."

We walked through the empty administrative building, our footsteps echoing on marble floors. The campus beyond the glass doors was quiet, most students having returned to their dorms after the spectacle at the Crucible.

"Was it worth it?" she asked suddenly.

"What?"

"Nearly dying to prove... whatever it was you were trying to prove."

I considered the question seriously. "Yeah. It was."

"Why?"

"Because now she knows."

"Knows what?"

"That I can’t be pushed around. That I’m not what I seem." I looked down at Celeste, at her moonlight hair and perfect features. "That I’m someone worth taking seriously."

She stopped walking, turning to face me fully. "Is that so important to you? Being taken seriously?"

"When you’ve been overlooked your whole life? Yeah, it is."

Something in my voice must have hit a nerve. Her expression softened.

"For what it’s worth," she said quietly, "I’ve always taken you seriously. From the first moment in that Black Gate."

Before I could respond, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed me. Not a peck on the cheek like before, but a real kiss, her lips cool and soft against mine. It lasted only seconds, but it left me more breathless than Reyna’s lightning.

When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed pink. "Don’t do something that stupid again."

"No promises."

She sighed, shaking her head. "Of course not. That would be too easy." She took my arm, guiding me toward the door. "Come on, Stray Dog. Let’s get you home before Natalia sends out a search party."

As we stepped into the cool night air, I caught sight of a figure watching us from the shadows of a nearby building. Crimson hair glinted in the moonlight.

Reyna.

Our eyes met across the distance. She nodded once, then vanished into the darkness.