Chapter 49: What is Babel? 1

Two weeks passed. The initial chaos of settling into the Academy had subsided, replaced by a rhythm of structured classes, grueling combat drills, and late-night library sessions. Students, once strangers thrown together by fate and ranking, were slowly adjusting to their new lives. Cliques began to form, friendships blossomed, and rivalries simmered beneath the surface.

Today, my haven was invaded by a human hurricane named Luke. This kid, bless his enthusiastic heart, had latched onto me like a particularly clingy leech. He'd gone from "Neveah" to "sir Neveah" to the full-blown "Boss Neveah" in record time.

"Boss, boss, boss Neveah!" he practically screamed, waving his arms like a windmill gone rogue. I pretended not to hear him, burying myself deeper into my book. Ignoring him was usually the most effective strategy.