Axel's heart pounded like a war drum as he walked down the narrow corridor toward Commander Lucian's office. The academy's stone walls seemed to close in on him, every footstep echoing ominously in the silence. He could feel the eyes of his fellow cadets boring into his back, whispers trailing in his wake. Some were of fear, others of curiosity, but all carried the same new undercurrent: Axel Laurent was dangerous, unpredictable.
Keeping his face blank, Axel fought to maintain his composure. Inside, he felt like a volcano ready to erupt, a chaos of emotions and questions swirling in his mind. What the hell was that power? He had no answers, only a lingering sense of dread. Whatever had happened back in the dining hall had been something ancient, primal, and terrifyingly powerful. It was
