Ethan sat up slowly, the faint pull of excitement starting to build in his chest. Not loud. Not rushed. But real. The kind that settles deep and doesn't need words.
Evelyn was already awake, standing near the viewing panel, arms crossed. Her eyes hadn't moved from the window since the last chime.
Everly stretched out beside him, groaning like she hadn't slept enough. She rubbed her eyes, then pushed herself upright on the couch.
"Is it time?" she asked, voice scratchy.
Evelyn didn't look back. "Come see."
They joined her.
And the second, Ethan, looked out the window—he froze.
It wasn't a school.
It wasn't even close.
Astralis University filled the entire view like a floating continent.
Towering structures rose from a central platform that spiraled upward layer by layer, with glowing rings drifting in lazy orbit around the uppermost towers.
Some of them moved. Others hovered still, pulsing with soft blue and silver light.
