The water was hot. Not just warm, not lukewarm, but scaldingly, gloriously hot.
Kael stood under the showerhead for a solid thirty minutes, letting the steam fill the small, tiled bathroom.
He scrubbed until his skin was pink, watching the dirt, dried blood, and orange desert sand swirl down the drain. It was more than just physical grime; it felt like he was washing away the memory of the jungle itself.
When he finally turned the water off and stepped out, he felt lighter.
Human again.
He dried off and picked up the bundle of clothes sitting on the counter. The Academy hadn't issued their official uniforms yet—apparently, those were being tailored based on their class placements—so for now, they were given standard-issue loungewear.
It was a simple set: loose grey sweatpants and a soft white t-shirt made of a fabric that felt like silk but breathed like cotton.
He walked back into the main room, towel drying his hair.
