Ghost Sleep.

As Leo and Mu Ryan took their seats after filling their plates, the atmosphere at the table turned unexpectedly tense. The three strongest cadets in the Elite Class—Leo, Su Yang, and Mu Shen—sat in silence, locking eyes in an unspoken battle of wills.

The rest of the mess hall immediately took notice. Whispers spread like wildfire, speculating on what it meant that the strongest students had aligned themselves together.

"Man, my shoulders hurt," Mu Shen finally broke the silence, rotating his shoulder blades with a wince. "Punched a damn shield with my bare fists today. My knuckles are fine, but my shoulder? Feels like it's falling apart…..What a drag—"

Su Yang scoffed, running a hand over the thin cut on his cheek. "Tch. I can't believe I let some bastard land a hit on me." His fingers traced the wound with irritation.

"Little shit spat poison mist in my eyes. Blinded me for just a second—and that was enough."