The first alarm shattered the night.
A sharp, piercing tone tore through the academy halls, echoing off stone and steel alike. Light crystals flared to life in angry red pulses, bathing the corridors in warning.
Kaito was awake before the second tone finished sounding.
He sat up instantly.
Dex was already on his feet, teeth bared, a low growl rolling from his chest.
"Alright," Kaito muttered, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "So much for rest."
The alarms screamed again—louder this time.
Kaito didn't bother with armor. Didn't reach for his usual gear. He grabbed the spear from where it leaned against the wall and pulled on the first thing within reach.
A long, loose shirt.Sweatpants.
That was it.
He shoved his feet into boots without tying them and was moving before his door fully opened.
The halls were chaos.
Students poured from rooms, half-awake, shouting questions no one could answer. Instructors barked orders. Somewhere above, something hit the outer walls—hard.
"Evacuation to the lower levels!" someone shouted.
Kaito didn't slow.
Dex ran at his side as they pushed through the crowd, Kaito's grip tightening on the spear. He felt the academy's wards strain—pressure pressing against his senses like a warning bell inside his skull.
Aria appeared at the corner ahead, already armed.
"Kaito!" she snapped. "You're—"
"Dressed?" he cut in, not breaking stride. "Later."
She didn't argue.
A second impact shook the building.
Stone cracked.
Screams followed.
Kaito vaulted a fallen bench and skidded to a stop at a shattered window overlooking the courtyard.
Figures moved below—too coordinated, too deliberate to be panicked students.
"Breach confirmed," Aria said grimly.
Kaito rolled his shoulders once, loosening them, like he was about to start training rather than a fight.
"Dex," he said quietly.
The husky crouched, ready.
Kaito stepped forward, bare arms exposed to the cold night air, oversized shirt fluttering as alarms wailed behind him.
No armor.No preparation.No hesitation.
Just instinct.
"Let's go," Kaito said.
And jumped.