She found him before he found her.
Kalen just got back to the Sovereign Wing when the door opened suddenly.
"That's not normal " Lyra said.
A girl walked in.
No signs of nervousness. No fear in her eyes.
She had Black hair, Sharp eyes, a confident smile and a presence that didn't feel weak.
"Hi " she said casually. "So you're the one everyone's talking about."
Kalen didn't say anything right away.
"She's dangerous." Nyxara's tone got serious.
"Not weak either." Asha'Kareth agreed.
The girl came closer.
Studying him openly.
"I'm Seraphine Drax " she said. "Second-year. Elite division."
Kalen leaned back a bit.
"And?"
She smiled.
"I like rare things."
Lyra chuckled.
"Oh this one's bold."
Seraphine walked around him slowly.
Not intimidated by the Sovereign Wing.
Not affected by the pressure.
"That reaction earlier" she said. "The way the President's authority failed…"
She stopped in front of him.
"That wasn't luck."
Kalen's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"
Her smile got deeper. "You."
There was silence.
Nyxara's presence flared.
"Absolutely not."
Asha'Kareth's voice got sharper.
"She's overstepping."
Seraphine leaned closer. Not touching him
Close enough to make the space feel smaller.
"I don't care what rank they gave you " she said softly. "You're not F-rank."
Kalen didn't react. But she noticed everything.
"I can help you" she continued. "Access resources. Training. Information."
A pause.
"Or…" Her voice dropped a bit.
"I can just take you before the council does."
The room shifted.
Energy stirred.
Nyxara stepped behind Kalen.
Asha'Kareth's presence got harder.
Lyra grinned like she was watching a show.
Kalen exhaled slowly.
"…You're confident."
Seraphine tilted her head.
"I'm right."
A pause.
Then—
"You'll lose the duel if you go in blind."
That got his attention.
"What do you know?"
She smiled.
"Enough."
Then she stepped back. Heading toward the door.
". You'll have to earn the rest."
She paused.
Looking over her shoulder.
"And Kalen?"
He didn't answer.
But she spoke anyway.
"I don't share."
The door closed.
The room became silent.
Nyxara's voice dropped, possessive.
"She's a problem."
Asha'Kareth's tone was colder.
"She will be handled."
Lyra laughed softly.
"Ohhh this is going to get messy."