The doors opened again, slower this time.

Skylar Amane entered like she owned the place already. That distinctive indigo-pink bob caught the dim light. Her expression screamed 'I'm already bored and we haven't even started yet.' She popped her gum, and made a beeline for the couch.

She nudged Juan's legs. "Move."

"No."

"Move, or I'll create an illusion of a fire alarm."

"...Vicious." But he shifted, making room. Skylar dropped onto the cushions, pulled out her phone, and immediately tuned out the entire world.

Another set of footsteps. Heavier. The Miyamoto twins appeared in the doorway.

Akari entered firs. Her tanned skin glowed against the white uniform, emerald eyes doing a fast inventory of every person in the room. When they landed on me, she smiled. Dangerous.

"Satori! We meet again!" She sauntered over, completely ignoring personal space. "When you said you were building an empire, I didn't realize you meant starting with the reject pile."

"Diamonds in the rough," I said.

"Mmm. Or just rough." She glanced at Raphael, who was still vibrating with suppressed rage. "Though I do love a fixer-upper."

Hikari bounced in behind her sister, that constant smile plastered on her face. She waved at everyone with both hands. "Hi! I'm Hikari! This is going to be so fun! Are we doing team-building exercises? I love those!"

Natalia's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Another woman, Isabelle Okoye appeared in the doorway, and the room's entire energy shifted.

The second recommendation student.

She didn't rush. Didn't announce herself. Just stepped inside with the bearing of someone who'd been born in a throne room. Her wine-colored hair fell in perfect waves, and those red eyes swept across all of us with the cool assessment of a general surveying troops.

Her gaze found mine. Held it.

Then she moved to an empty chair by the window and sat, spine perfectly straight, hands folded in her lap.

A shadow followed her. Shorter, blonde, wearing the male uniform.

Two more boys slipped in. Malachi, tall and silent, and Marco, who flashed everyone a peace sign before claiming a spot on the floor near the fireplace.

Carmen drained the last of her sake. "Right. So. Rules are simple. Don't destroy the house. Don't murder each other, at least not permanently. Your rooms are upstairs, second floor. Names are on the doors. Boys' wing west, girls' wing east, faculty ground floor. You break the boy-girl barrier, you deal with me." She smiled. "And I'm a very light sleeper."

Akari raised her hand. "What if we want to train at night?"

"Basement gym. Open twenty-four seven. Try not to collapse the foundation."

"What about curfew?" That was Jacob, voice barely above a whisper.

"Curfew is for students I trust not to do stupid shit. Since I don't trust any of you yet, let's say 2200 hours for now. We'll revisit after I see which of you are actually responsible adults."

Raphael was still glaring at me. "This is bullshit. The Number One ranked prospect should be leading. Not hiding behind some drunk—"

Carmen moved faster than I could track.

One moment she was across the room. The next, her hand was on Raphael's shoulder, grip light but somehow completely paralyzing him.

"Finish that sentence, Grenade Pin. I dare you."

The air shimmered around them. Her Aspect. I couldn't see it, but I felt it—reality getting slippery, senses crossing wires.

Raphael's face went pale. "I... I didn't mean..."

"You meant every word. But you're smart enough to know when to shut up." She released him, and he staggered back. "Good. There's hope for you yet."

She turned back to the group, all business again.

"Dinner's at 1800 in the dining hall, first door on the left down that hallway. Show up or don't. I don't care. But if you skip meals, you'll be too weak to train, and then Professor Miller will yell at me, and I'll have to yell at you, and it's all very tedious."

Juan spoke from the couch without opening his eyes. "She's lying. She'd never yell. She'd just make you feel guilty with passive-aggressive care packages."

"Shut up, Juan."

"Qué fastidio."

Carmen grabbed a fresh bottle from somewhere behind the screen. "Alright. Get out of my sight. Go explore. Bond. Plot each other's murders. Whatever helps you process." She pointed at the stairs. "Your cages await."

Nobody moved.

We all just stood there, this collection of problem children, misfits, and walking disasters, staring at each other like we were trying to figure out which one would crack first.

Isabelle rose from her chair. "If we're meant to be a pack, we should at least know our packmates' names." Her voice was cultured, formal. "I am Isabelle Okoye. My Aspect is Fujin. Wind manipulation and enhancement. A pleasure."

Silence.

Then Hikari shot her hand up like we were in elementary school. "Ooh, ooh! I'm Hikari Miyamoto! This is my sister Akari! I hit things really hard with my flail, and she ties people up with chains! We're a team!"

"We're twins," Akari corrected smoothly. "And we're very good at what we do."

Jaime stepped forward next, chest puffed. "I am Jaime De Valle! My Aspect is Star Chain! Each blow stronger than the last! And I am mentored by the great Yuki Hattori herself!" He flexed. "Also, I am available for arm-wrestling contests and deep philosophical discussions about the state of the world!"

"Hard pass on both," Skylar said without looking up from her phone.

"I'm Skylar. Phantasm Smoke. I make things that aren't real look very real. Neat trick." She blew a bubble with her gum.

"Noted."

Jacob raised a trembling hand. "J-Jacob Williams. Bullet Time. I'm really good at not getting hit and providing tactical data and please don't hurt me."

"We're not going to hurt you," Emi said gently.

"Statistically, someone in this room will definitely hurt me. Probably him." He pointed at Raphael.

Raphael snarled. "I'm Raphael Vargas. Kinetic Overcharge. I'm going to be the strongest Hunter this academy's ever seen, and anyone who gets in my way can get bent." His eyes found mine. "Especially you."

I yawned.

Soomin's voice was barely audible. "P-Pan Soomin. Um. Kitsune. I can... transform. Sort of. I'm still learning to control it, so if I hurt anyone, I'm really, really sorry in advance."

The quiet boy by the fireplace spoke next. "Malachi Moore. Shadow Step. I move through darkness." His voice was soft but carried weight.

"Marco Kamina!" The last boy waved cheerfully. "Force Palm. I punch things and they fly backward. Super simple, super fun!"

All eyes turned to me.

"Satori Nakano. Thermal Incision. I cut things and burn things." I met each of their stares in turn.

"And I'm not here to make friends."

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