CHAPTER 332: NYSSARA VEYN

"Maybe."

"Well then," Everly said with a grin, "my answer’s yes. No hesitation."

They didn’t get the chance to say more.

The lights above dimmed slowly, not all at once but in stages, and the instructor stepped into the center of the room.

The circular platform at the front came to life, glowing softly from underneath. A few quiet murmurs died down as the overhead display flickered on.

Today’s topic hovered in clean, block letters.

Energy theory. Layered combat application.

It wasn’t anything strange or unexpected. Just another advanced lecture. But then, right in the corner of their shared vision—barely noticeable unless you were paying attention—a quiet system prompt slid into place.

Private. Linked to both of them.

Mentorship Assignment Confirmed.

Instructor meeting scheduled after class.

Both Evelyn and Everly straightened almost immediately.

Evelyn turned to her right just as Everly turned left. Their eyes met at the same time.

"That was fast," Everly whispered, keeping her voice low.

"I thought they’d wait at least a few days," Evelyn replied just as quietly.

They opened the message fully.

Same time. Same instructor. Same room.

There were no extra details, no briefing, just the destination and the order to show up. There was no opt-out button, no additional context.

Everly leaned back a little. "I guess they already knew splitting us wouldn’t work."

Evelyn nodded. "It wouldn’t."

"Our skills line up too closely."

"They do more than that," Everly added. "We amplify each other."

A short pause passed between them.

Then Everly leaned sideways again, her tone playful. "I’m calling it now—it’s going to be some serious old lady. Stern voice. Probably carries a stick."

Evelyn tilted her head slightly. "Or a retired battle maniac who trains us until we collapse."

"Could be both," Everly said with a grin.

They shared a glance.

And then a quiet shrug.

"Could be worse," Evelyn muttered.

"Yeah," Everly agreed. "At least it’s not some overexcited coach who thinks we need motivational speeches and emotional healing."

The lecture continued as if nothing had changed, the instructor now moving through the early points of the theory lesson.

Most students shifted lazily in their seats, already half-distracted.

But Evelyn kept glancing back toward the corner of her vision.

The system message pulsed again—subtle but steady.

Mentor Location: Eastern Wing – Room 47.

Arrival Time: Immediate.

She tapped Everly’s wrist lightly.

They didn’t talk.

They stood up at the same time and quietly made their way out of the lecture hall, their steps matching without effort.

They didn’t hesitate.

They didn’t need to.

Whatever was waiting behind that door, they’d face it like they always had—together.

——

The hallway outside was calm and mostly empty. The air carried a faint hum from the building’s energy lines, built into the walls and floors.

The surface under their feet was clean and smooth, with a light shine from the sunlight filtering in through high-set windows.

Their footsteps echoed lightly as they moved forward.

Everly walked just a step ahead, barely noticeable, but Evelyn caught it. Her sister’s fingers brushed the edge of her skirt—subtle.

Not nervous, but alert. Like she could feel the atmosphere tightening a little around them.

They turned a corner in silence.

Then came the voice behind them.

"You two headed to mentor evaluations too?"

Everly turned first. Evelyn turned a beat later. Both of them scanned behind them at once.

The girl was standing casually with one hand resting on her hip. She looked relaxed, confident, maybe a little amused.

Her skin had a bronze tone that caught the hallway light in a way that added a faint purplish tint around the edges.

Her hair was long—silver-blonde streaked with black—and tied up in a loose ponytail that swayed when she shifted.

She didn’t look nervous.

She didn’t even try to hide the fact that she’d been watching them.

"Nyssara Veyn," she said, cutting off any questions. "And no, I’m not stalking you."

Everly raised an eyebrow. "We didn’t say you were."

Nyssara smiled. "Yeah, but I saw the look. It’s fine. My path says the same room. Room 47, Eastern Wing."

She didn’t move closer. Just stood there with one boot angled slightly outward, like she had no interest in making things tense.

"First mentorship?" she asked casually.

Everly glanced at Evelyn again, and when her sister gave a small nod, she answered. "Yeah."

"Same," Nyssara said with a shrug. "I transferred in late last semester. Never got assigned one. Guess someone decided I was ready."

There was a quiet pause, not cold but unsure.

Then Everly gave her a small smile. "We’re not really used to people joining us."

Nyssara didn’t take offense. "Figured. You two walk like you own the place."

Everly couldn’t tell if it was meant to be a compliment or a joke. Probably both.

Nyssara didn’t push anything else. She just started walking again. This time next to them—not right beside them, but close enough that it was clear she wasn’t going to stay behind.

She wasn’t trying to force her way in.

She just saw no reason to walk alone if they were headed to the same place.

A few steps passed before she spoke again.

"So, uh... do you two always look like that after class?"

Everly blinked. "Like what?"

Nyssara smirked. "Like someone hit you with a glow-up spell."

Everly almost laughed. "We’ve been getting more rest, that’s all."

Nyssara snorted. "Must be some magical beds."

Evelyn didn’t say anything. She just kept her pace steady, eyes scanning ahead. She hadn’t let her guard down once since Nyssara joined them.

Not because she sensed danger—just instinct. Habit.

They kept walking.

The lights changed slightly the farther they went, sunlight growing stronger through tall glass slits along the wall. The smell of something green and fresh started to drift in—faint at first, but getting clearer.

Then they turned the corner and stopped.

A glass wall opened the view.

Beyond it was a garden.

It wasn’t small. Rows of flowers stretched out in all directions, blooming in strange, shifting colors.

Petals shimmered in layered hues—red turning to violet, gold blending into green depending on the light. Some pulsed softly, almost like they were breathing.

But the real surprise was beyond the garden.