C25 CHAPTER 25: BOND TESTED IN REAL WORLD MISSION

The summons came at dawn.

Lyria Arden was barely awake when the soft chime echoed through her dorm room, the academy seal glowing briefly above her desk. She sat up instantly, heart already racing, even before the message fully formed.

MISSION ASSIGNMENT — IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUIRED.

Her breath caught.

This wasn’t a drill.

She dressed quickly