They called it the Watch Academy, but it didn’t feel like any academy I’d ever heard of.

Lecture halls had reinforced walls. Cafeterias had biometric scanners. And every classroom was structured like it expected someone to snap and turn into a walking bomb.

Our first real class was a Power Ethics and Control seminar—basically "How Not To Destroy Civilization 101." Mr. Turner handed me off to a newer instructor, a too-chipper woman named Ms. Selis, who insisted we go around introducing ourselves like we were in summer camp instead of a reinforced steel building.

Iris sat beside me, arms folded, unimpressed. Her band was green. Spatial type, apparently. She hadn't said much since we met, but something about her felt steady. Like she had already survived something far worse than this.

When it was my turn to speak, I stood. "Cael. New. Red band."

That was it.

A few chuckles from around the room, but none from Iris. Instead, she leaned over just enough to whisper, "That was the most awkward intro I've ever heard."

"Thanks," I muttered. “I’m trying to win awards.”

She smirked, then turned her attention forward again. I caught myself smiling before I could stop it.

That was when the room dimmed.

Or, more accurately, someone dimmed it.

The lights flickered, and a chill swept through the room. Everyone glanced toward the door as a student entered late—tall, white hair slightly damp from the rain outside, and a black band.

He didn’t look at anyone. Just took a seat at the far end, dropped his bag, and folded his arms like he was daring the room to challenge him.

“Who’s that?” I asked.

Iris didn’t answer right away. Her gaze was fixed on him, brow slightly furrowed.

“That’s Leo,” she said at last. “He’s… not supposed to be here.”

“What does that mean?”

She leaned back in her seat, folding her arms tighter. “It means he’s not a student anymore. He left. Or was kicked out. Depending on who you ask.”

The tension in the room said it wasn’t just gossip. Even Ms. Selis faltered for a split second before continuing with the lesson, carefully avoiding looking his way.

I glanced at the black band on his wrist. No glow. Just matte obsidian, like it absorbed light instead of reflecting it.

“What's his power?” I asked under my breath.

“I don’t know,” Iris said. “But he’s the top student—or was, anyways—of the class.”

Strange.

Leo didn’t speak the entire class. He didn’t need to. His presence filled the room like smoke. Heavy. Unwelcome. Like the aftermath of a battle no one wanted to admit happened.

After the seminar, I caught up with Iris near the elevator.

“So what’s his deal? Is he dangerous?”

“Everyone here is dangerous,” she said flatly. “But Leo? He’s the kind of dangerous they stopped keeping files on.”

Before I could press her more, the elevator chimed—and Leo stepped out.

We locked eyes for the first time.

Something in his expression said he recognized me, though I didn’t know how. He gave an odd smile—not friendly. The kind that said he already knew how this would end, and he wasn’t worried about it.

He walked past without a word, just a grin.

I didn’t breathe again until the door shut behind him.

Iris glanced at me. “Welcome to the academy.”