Chapter 243.1 - Threat

The late afternoon light filtered down through the mana-laced clouds above the Academy's eastern wing, casting fractured blue-white beams over the training plaza where the dungeon gates shimmered faintly, waiting.

Ethan stood just beyond the edge of the marble steps, eyes fixed toward the horizon—not looking at anything in particular. His spear was slung across his back, the strap cutting diagonally over his shoulder. His gloves were already on, and his gauntlet glyphs hummed faintly with pre-channelled psions.

Still, he hadn't moved in nearly a full minute.

"Where are you looking at?"

Thud.

A hard smack landed on his shoulder.

"Gah—Julia!" Ethan flinched and stepped forward, nearly stumbling from the sheer force behind her hit. "Do you ever not hit like you're trying to dislocate something?"