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"A phrase nobody teaches." I add. That changes the room slightly. Because that's the part I can't get past.

I've spent my entire life learning Varethian history.

Family history. Academy history. Wars. Treaties.

The Six Kingdoms. Every political disaster our ancestors managed to create. Never once— Heart of Varethia.

"Maybe it's irrelevant." Caelen says.

Nyra looks at him. "You don't believe that."

"I believe old terminology disappears all the time."

"Across every modern history text?"

"I don't know." He sighs. "That's the problem."

Rhyven checks the clock. Three thirty-eight. "We need sleep."

Cassian stands immediately. "Finally, leadership."

Nyra ignores him. "We should ask someone."

"No." Caelen and Rhyven say it simultaneously. I look between them.

Nyra folds her arms. "Why."

Caelen answers first. "Because if it's nothing, we've wasted everyone's time."

"And if it isn't?"

Rhyven looks toward the documents. "Copy everything first." There he is.

I smile. "You've developed trust issues."

"I've met the Council." Fair.

We spend another forty minutes copying. Every reference. Every date. Every source. Nyra creates two sets. I hide one in our room. Caelen takes the other.

Cassian contributes moral support by falling asleep sitting upright. At four twenty-two, we finally stop.

At four twenty-three, I remember training begins in less than two hours. I hate my life. I return to Room Three-Zero-Four. Nyra climbs into bed. I do too. Neither of us sleeps. At five ten, Nyra says into the darkness: "You're awake."

"No."

"You answered."

"Go to hell."

At five forty-five, we give up. Professor Vayne is already in the eastern training hall when we arrive. Of course. Maybe he doesn't sleep. Would explain a lot. He's reviewing the morning roster. Rhyven and Caelen enter behind us. Cassian looks genuinely ill.

Nyra looks like she has consumed knowledge instead of rest. I probably look wonderful. Vayne glances at us. "You look terrible."

"Thank you." I say. His eyes move over all five of us. Suspicion. Good.

Nyra doesn't wait. "Professor."

"No."