A loud bang shattered the silence.
Kaius jerked awake, his heart hammering in his chest. The knock on his door was sharp, insistent, followed by a cold, clipped voice.
"You have five minutes to arrange your room and be in front of your door fully dressed in your uniforms."
The exhaustion still clung to his body like a heavy blanket, but adrenaline surged through him instantly. He sat up, his muscles protesting as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. His mind was still groggy, his body stiff from yesterday’s torment, but he forced himself to move.
Five minutes.
He didn't know what would happen if he failed, but he had a feeling it wouldn’t be pleasant.
Kaius moved quickly, smoothing out the blanket on the bed and making sure everything was in place. He straightened the chair, p
