The days following the Tactical Field Drills passed in steady rhythm, the chaos of the battlefield giving way to the structure of academy life.

Aston returned to classes with renewed focus. The fire from Theron's trial hadn't just scorched the ground—it had burned away some lingering uncertainty within him.

Now, each day has become an exercise in precision.

—

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Aston wore the standard Dawn Crest Academy attire—sleek navy-blue collared shirt and charcoal gray slacks, both tailored to movement without excess. Draped over one shoulder and fastened by a clasp at his collarbone was the robe of the Scouting Arts Division. It shifted as he walked, part uniform, part banner—a quiet declaration of his chosen path.

—

08:00 – Foundational Spirit Theory

Professor Cael Windermere's lessons were structured like puzzle boxes—layered, meticulous, with barely a wasted word. He didn't just explain what spirit essence was—he challenged them to consider how its resonance interacted with soul contracts, core awakenings, and beast genus types.

Aston often found himself lingering after class, replaying something Professor Cael had said:

"Spirit essence is not energy. It is will, wearing the mask of energy."

Sometimes, Aston would take that thought to the training hall and just… sit. Watching Gray in his disguised form nap beside him. Listening. Wondering.

—

09:15 – Spirit Bond Synchronization Techniques

Professor Nyra Talvine had an energy that contrasted Professor Cael's sharply. Her lectures were full of metaphors, vivid emotional demonstrations, and empathy drills that required students to open themselves fully to their beasts.

She often called on Aston, asking him to lead demonstrations with Gray or Mirage.

And more often than not, he succeeded. Not because he pushed—but because he listened.

Even Gray, aloof as he was, seemed to respond to the atmosphere in her class, his blue eyes softening when Aston reached through the bond with calm instead of command.

—

10:30 – Essence Channeling & Core Cultivation

Professor Veris Kaon's lectures were meditative—sometimes literally. The class would spend long stretches sitting in silence, channeling spiritual flow along designated paths.

It was during these quiet moments that Aston found his mind wandering—not in distraction, but in reflection.

"Core strength is not the loudest explosion," Professor Veris had said. "It is the consistency of a steady flame."

Aston took those words seriously.

He wasn't the strongest in the class. But his flame was steady. Controlled. Growing.

—

11:30 – Lunch / Free Study Period

The central cafeteria buzzed as always during midday, but Aston had found a quiet corner table near the inner courtyard—shaded, secluded, and just a bit removed from the crowd.

Seria and Genevieve joined him most days now. It had become routine before either of them noticed.

Genevieve dropped her tray onto the table with her usual energy, her fox melding in the shadows. "Yosef says hi, by the way."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Aston blinked. "Yosef?"

"We're in the same Foundational Spirit Theory section. FOU-100," she said. "He mentioned you two met during orientation."

Aston smiled faintly. "Unfortunately, we didn't end up in any foundational subjects together."

"I still think they split us to keep the strong from combining," Seria added dryly, poking at her rice.

Genevieve smirked. "Too late. Anywhere this guy is, they form a perfect team."

Aston just shrugged his shoulders.

—

13:00 – Beast Communication & Resonance

Professor Levi Ralden was like a beast himself—animated, expressive, and bursting with stories.

He demonstrated how vocal tone, posture, and even heartbeat affected spirit beast resonance. The class often became loud, energetic, and chaotic—but Aston enjoyed it.

He then watched more than he spoke, picking up the nuances between instinct and learned behavior.

Gray, though mostly reserved, surprised the class once by mimicking Aston's head tilt in perfect sync.

—

14:15 – History: Epochs of Spirit Civilization

Historian Senn Alder's lecture hall felt more like a reliquary than a classroom. Scrolls, relics, and preserved beast artifacts lined the walls.

Her voice was quiet but commanding, weaving narratives of ancient pacts and shattered empires.

Aston often found himself trailing thoughts during this class—wondering not just about the past, but about where he fit in it.

"History is not a record of what was done," the historian once said. "It is a warning of what may return."

—

15:30 – Applied Battle Tactics

Professor—no, Instructor Goran Tull was a gruff, broad-shouldered ex-mercenary who taught by doing, not theorizing.

"Books are great," he said, "but books don't punch you in the ribs when you block wrong."

Aston's footwork wasn't perfect, but his reactions were improving. The instructor nodded.

"You think before you move," he told Aston after a drill. "Keep doing that—but learn when to stop thinking and just move."

—

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Before the morning bell rang, Aston stood before the dorm mirror, fastening the clasps of his Field Operations uniform with quiet precision. The reinforced black-gray jacket fit snug against his frame, accented by sharp lines and minimalist green trim that denoted the Scouting Arts color. There was something about the uniform that made everything feel sharper—like he wasn't just a student attending class, but a scout-in-training walking his own path.

—

08:00 – Scouting Tactics & Terrain Adaptation

Instructor Oscar Valen's early morning sessions were grueling—hiking routes, stealth assessments, terrain identification. But Aston felt more at ease here than anywhere else.

He was a natural observer. Quiet. Intentional.

He rarely drew attention, but when the instructor reviewed his maps or terrain sketches, there was a rare, approving nod.

—

09:15 – Spirit Beast Integration for Recon

Instructor Ilyen Vey still scared most students. Her critiques were clinical and sharp.

But Aston had noticed—she only called on him when something nuanced needed attention.

Once, she had him and Mirage navigate a multi-sensory scan course. They completed it in under half the expected time.

The instructor didn't compliment him.

But she assigned him the most complex node map for the next class.

Aston didn't mind. He preferred challenges without applause.

—

10:30 – Long Range Observation & Risk Profile

Instructor Elric Dane's lessons felt like puzzles—high-level analysis with too little information.

But Aston enjoyed the challenge. He often sat beside Kai during these lessons, both of them quietly murmuring risk assessments back and forth, comparing notes, questioning assumptions.

It wasn't just about seeing.

It was about understanding what was hidden.

—

13:00 – Tactical Field Drills

Thursday's session was led by Instructor Talla Reeve, a former aerial scout with sharp eyes and sharper reflex.

She didn't shout like Instructor Theron. She simply watched. And when someone made a mistake, she was just… there—too fast to follow.

"Drills today focus on counter-maneuvers during aerial denial," she said, gesturing for spirit beasts to deploy.

Aston and Mirage excelled in this drill. They didn't just evade—they read the field.

After class, Instructor Talla gave a rare nod in Aston's direction. "Your owl sees ahead. So do you."

—

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