The capital, Sorriso, did not sleep. Torches lit the streets filled with wine and rumors, bards already improvising songs about “the skinny boy who broke the Queen’s hammer.”

  But among the laughter, there was poison.

  — A hidden prodigy… — murmured a noble in a purple cape. — He’d make an excellent servant for my house.

  — A servant, indeed! — another laughed. — That blood is too wild to roam free. It needs a master.

  Then a shrill voice echoed through the courtyard.

  Professor Martine, from the Golden Peacocks of Bragan?a, arrived with his belly bouncing, robes full of golden feathers, and perfume strong enough to knock out a horse.

  — Ha! — he laughed loudly. — You think that failure will lead anyone? He’s good material for a servant at best. A dog! Nothing more!

  ---

  ?? The Crimson Fury

  Luiz Fernandes, who had been listening a few steps away, let his smile fade.

  The long spear clinked against the ground, and suddenly the air turned red — his crimson aura exploded like living fire.

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  Martine paled, stumbling back.

  Luiz advanced, the red shadow wrapping around him like a wall.

  — You might be strong, professor… but could you defeat me?

  Martine shouted, hysterical:

  — D-don’t be arrogant, boy! Just because you’re head of the student council doesn’t mean you can disrespect your elders!

  ---

  ?? The Arrival of the Teachers

  Before the tension could turn to blood, other figures entered the courtyard — teachers from the Houses of Delos.

  Sir Galahard de Montalvo came first, armor polished, gray beard trembling.

  — What’s going on here?

  Talia Ignare, fists still glowing faintly with embers, snorted:

  — A festival and you’re already turning it into a school brawl? Pathetic.

  Bjorn Martellson, the two-meter-tall barbarian, crossed his arms, a massive axe on his back.

  — Hah! If you’re going to fight, do it properly. Maybe I’ll get a bone to chew afterward.

  Cassius Veynar slipped from the shadows, cold green eyes gleaming.

  — Always the same… vanity and poison.

  And lastly, the most unexpected: Tailer Aspenwolf.

  He wore a white wolf-pelt coat, the sides of his head shaved, a long braid running down his back. His ocean-blue eyes shone with calm mischief.

  He smiled, almost playfully:

  — Such a warm atmosphere, huh? — he snapped his fingers. — I thought there’d be a fight before dessert.

  Martine puffed out his chest, but the other teachers looked away — as they always did from the plebeian outcast.

  At that moment, Elisandra Xadrez Véu da Mente ran in, her glasses slipping down her nose.

  — P-please, stop! — she said, but her gaze instantly found Tailer. A blush rose to her cheeks.

  She tried to speak again, but the words melted on her tongue. Always the same…

  Tailer didn’t mind. He raised a hand, and a black sphere of gravity formed in the air, sucking in dust and loose coins until it compressed into a single point. Then he closed his palm — and it vanished.

  — Just a warning, Master Peacock, — he said, eyes fixed on Martine. — Don’t mess with my students. Or things will get ugly.

  Martine swallowed hard, sweat rolling down his face.

  Tailer turned his gaze toward the corridor where Lukas was being carried, unconscious. For the first time, his smile faded.

  — Now this one… I want to see up close.

  End of Chapter 19