The class applauded themselves, scattered across the deck of the Starsong. Each of them felt it—an invisible thread connecting them to the Academy's first ship.
Telamon approached with Ignius beside him, both looking quietly pleased.
"You still have the runes from the Avenger?" Telamon asked. "Stealth and Defense, I believe."
Cane nodded. "I've got them. But I'm in no shape to place them right now."
"Rest, Cane." Telamon's tone was gentle but firm. "The Starsong is in the water, and soon our secret will be out. What do you think we should do?"
Cane knew the question was layered. Not just about logistics—but leadership, legacy.
"Since the secret's out," he said slowly, "let the Rune class place the stealth and defense runes. Let the rest of the Academy contribute however they can. There's still plenty left—sails, rigging, rudder controls. Might as well make it ours."
Telamon smiled, nodding. "Outstanding. And your focus?"
"I'll build Main Guns for the bow and stern, just like the one we made for the Defiant." Cane leaned against the mast, the world tilting slightly. "The war's creeping closer. We can make sure the waterways stay ours."
"Aye, lad," Brammel added. "The metallurgy shop'll give you all the help you need."
Cane glanced toward the shore. People had started to gather. What began as a few curious cadets was now a full crowd, murmuring and pointing at the vessel anchored in the bay.
A rift shimmered open beside them. Telamon gestured. "It opens next to Sun Tower. Have Sophie do an emergency announcement. I'll leave it to you. Then get some rest."
Cane nodded and stepped through.
Sophie sat on the grass beside Sun Tower, scratching one of the gryphons under its chin while the other circled, trying to nose in for attention.
"Cane!" She stood, instantly catching the fatigue in his eyes. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he said, swaying slightly. "The Archmage wants you to make another announcement."
She caught his arm and gently pulled him inside. "Clothes off. You're resting now. What am I announcing?"
Cane undressed while he spoke, explaining the secret collaboration between the Water Elemental students and the Metallurgy shop. How they'd built a next-generation version of the Avenger, and how it was now anchored in the bay for all to see.
Sophie listened, eyes wide. Then she pulled back the covers. "Get in. You look exhausted."
"I'm tired, not sleepy," Cane muttered as he slid under the blanket. "Although I could eat…"
A few minutes later, her voice carried through the Academy.
Good afternoon, everyone.
This is Sophie Sweetwater with an important announcement. By now, many of you have seen the sleek new ship resting in the bay.
That vessel is the Starsong—a ship built in secret by cadets from the Metallurgy and Water Elemental classes.
For those wanting a closer look—you'll get your chance. There's still much to finish, and everyone will be asked to contribute time and talent.
The Starsong is a vastly improved version of the Avenger, and it will help keep our Academy safe.
This is Sophie Sweetwater. We'll see you back here for the afternoon announcements. Take care.
Sophie deactivated the rune and turned to find Cane barely staying upright.
"Are you fighting it?" she asked, amused.
Cane blinked, sluggish. "Fighting what?"
She giggled. "Sleep. You're fighting sleep, like I used to do when I was little and had to take naps."
Cane managed a smile. "I think we had vastly different childhoods."
A few hours later, a soft knock sounded at Sophie's door. She opened it to find Thressa bowing politely, pushing a food cart ahead of her. Fergis, Clara, and Dhalia followed close behind.
Cane sat up in bed, blinking at the sudden bustle. For a moment, he was disoriented—then the memory of Starsong's launch returned, washing over him.
Fergis plopped onto the edge of the bed. "You living here now?"
"Yes," Cane said dryly. "Switched rooms with Sophie. Things were too quiet over in Seven Tower."
"Really?" Clara blinked.
"He's kidding," Dhalia said, sliding past them and settling on the floor. "I'm nervous for tomorrow."
Cane grinned. "Nervous we won't find it—or that we will?"
"Both," she admitted. "Knowing Elohan, if we don't find it, he'll make us run all the way back to the capital."
"Don't worry. It's there." Cane's voice was calm, certain. His smile grew as Sophie placed a steaming plate of roasted meat and vegetables in front of him. "If you keep this up, I may never leave."
Sophie shrugged. "There's plenty of room… except for closet space."
Fergis crossed his arms. "Brother, you built a ship. Don't even try to deny it."
"First of all, it was a secret," Cane said, picking up his fork. "Second, I didn't build it alone. It was a collaboration."
Fergis shot Dhalia a look. "That true?"
Dhalia gave a helpless shrug. "The rest of us were mostly manual labor. Take Cane out of the task and we've got two big stacks of titanium and tungsten."
"Anyway…" Fergis rubbed his hands together. "I've been asked to handle the first layer of defensive runes. Can't wait to step on board."
After the meal, the group headed outside, where the gryphons were tumbling in the grass. The moment they spotted Sophie, their heads lifted. In an instant, both bounded toward her like children chasing sweets.
Sophie raised a hand. "Stop."
Both gryphons skidded to a halt, bumping into each other, but managing to obey.
"Good," she said, stepping forward and gently stroking their feathered heads.
Clara crept closer. Her love for gryphons had never been mutual—until now. When they didn't run, her eyes lit up. "I knew you guys liked me."
Cane watched with a soft smile. "I've got a few things to finish up before we go. Don't forget your heartguards tomorrow—we're going to need all the stealth we've got."
The metallurgy shop was empty when Cane arrived. Moonlight filtered in through the high windows, catching on rows of dormant tools and cooled-forges. He moved to the back bench and pulled out the parcel Lorna Sweetwater had handed him before departing.
"Oh…" Cane unfolded one of the sets, his smile growing. "These are perfect." Black. Close-fitted. Hooded tops and reinforced bottoms—custom raid gear, exactly as requested.
He laid out the four separate stacks with care, chuckling when he noticed a small stitched label on each.
"Nice touch… She added name tags."
From his storage ring, Cane withdrew a thin roll of gossamer adamantium—light as air, yet incredibly strong. He submerged into the metal world without hesitation.
The twin stars above his head lit up the entire shop.
Adamantium's glow was different—pale gold, gentle, almost solemn. And everywhere he looked… nodes. Flickering, dormant nodes, spread like a constellation through the alloy.
"Why are there so many?" Cane murmured. "If I had a clue… maybe I could connect them?"
He shook off the question, focusing instead on the task at hand. Thread by thread, he interwove the adamantium into the black fabric. With each stitch, he reinforced the cloth—not just with strength, but with harmony.
Starlight flared through the seams, charging the weave with power beyond its material limits.
One by one, the sets took shape. Each glowing with subtle energy. Each a masterwork.
He equipped Blue—his silent partner in countless battles—and then pressed a mythic Glacial Frost rune into each uniform. The garments shimmered with a chill edge, ready for stealth and strike.
Cane changed quickly beneath the ever-watchful stars. The new gear hugged close to his form, flexible and light. His breath slowed.
I've used immersion with weapons before… why not armor?
He slipped into full immersion, letting the gear become an extension of his body. He could feel every fiber—the way it moved, how it tensed, stretched, responded.
He shifted his weight and lunged—dodging to the left.
A blur of motion.
Then imbalance. A stumble. He crashed into the far wall with a thud.
"Shit."
Cane groaned, rolling upright and brushing dust from his sleeve. "At least no one saw that."
He glanced around the empty shop.
Note to self: experiment with enhanced movement someplace safer…