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"I have not seen her move."

Professor Vale's eyes narrow slightly. "Good."

I continue. "Physical advantage: lower-body strength and explosive movement." Rowan's eyebrow lifts. "Magical advantage: instinctive threat detection." Professor Vale says nothing. "Visible weakness: impatience." Rowan smiles.

Professor Vale's gaze sharpens. "And your dangerous assumption?"

I hesitate. "That her first movement will be aggressive."

Professor Vale looks toward Rowan. "Miss Hart?"

Rowan folds her arms. "She's a vampire."

"Excellent work." A few students laugh. Professor Vale does not.

Rowan sighs. "Fine." She looks at me. "Enhanced speed. Strength. Healing. Blood sensitivity." Her gaze drops briefly to my feet. "Physical advantage: balance." That surprises me. "Magical advantage: close-range perception." Then she smiles. "Visible weakness: she thinks she's already read me correctly."

A few students murmur. Professor Vale's expression remains unreadable. "Dangerous assumption?"

"That she can detect me because she's a vampire."

Professor Vale steps backward. "Demonstrate."

I barely have time to understand the command. Rowan exhales. Her heartbeat slows. Not gradually. Instantly. Her shoulders settle. Every unnecessary movement disappears. The sound of her breathing fades. Her scent becomes quieter. Not gone. Reduced.

My vampire senses reach for the familiar rhythms of a living body. Pulse. Breath. Muscle shifting beneath skin. Nothing. For one impossible second, Rowan stands directly in front of me and feels less present than the stone beneath our feet. Then she releases the manifestation. Sound returns. Heartbeat. Breath. Movement. The entire ring exhales with her.

Professor Vale looks at me. "You assessed the inheritance." Heat rises beneath my skin. "Not the person."

"No." I admit.

Professor Vale turns away. "Remember the difference."

Rowan gives me a small smile. Not cruel. Satisfied. "I told you it was fortunate for me."

I incline my head. "Enjoy it while it lasts."

She smiles. "I plan to."

Nyra's turn comes several pairs later. Her partner is named Lucen Marek. Vampire. Tall. Controlled. He lists Nyra's fae inheritance with the confidence of someone reciting a text.

"Connection to living magic. Probable plant manipulation. Physical disadvantage in close combat. Visible weakness: hesitation." Nyra's expression remains calm.

Professor Vale looks toward her. "Your assessment?" Nyra studies Lucen. "Vampire." Several students smile. She ignores them. "His right knee has been injured before." Lucen's face changes. Nyra continues. "He shifts his weight away from it whenever he turns." Professor Vale's attention sharpens. "Physical advantage: upper-body strength." Nyra looks toward Lucen's hands. "Magical advantage: blood sensitivity." Then his face. "Visible weakness: he becomes angry when he thinks someone underestimates him." A few students laugh. Lucen does not.

"And the dangerous assumption?" Professor Vale asks.

Nyra hesitates. "That hesitation means fear."

The room quiets. Professor Vale glances at Lucen. "Accurate?"

His jaw tightens. "Yes."

Nyra looks down slightly. Not triumphant. Almost apologetic.

Professor Vale walks onward. "Observation is not aggression, Miss Valenne."

Nyra looks up. "No, Professor." She says softly.