The morning began like any other.
The group gathered in class—tension still thick from Shane and Rio's strange silence.
Emi sat beside Shane now, never leaving her side.
Aya was quiet, eyes flickering toward Linyin.
And Reas?
She stared at the stormy sky through the classroom window, fingers drumming against the desk.
The teacher began roll call, but her voice felt distant to Reas.
Because something inside her felt... off.
Too loud. Too alive.
Suddenly, lightning cracked across the sky.
The classroom lights flickered.
Reas shot to her feet, eyes wide, breathing hard.
Everyone turned.
"Reas?" Yui asked gently.
But Reas couldn't hear her.
Voices filled her mind. Ancient chants. Roars. Screams.
A battlefield of thunder wolves racing across mountains.
She clutched her head—then screamed as silver-blue light exploded from her back.
The classroom windows blew open. Papers flew like feathers.
And there it was—etched into her skin—
the Mark of the Thunder Wolf.
Everyone froze.
Shane stood protectively in front of her. Haru reached for Kio. Rio narrowed his eyes.
"She's awakening," he whispered. "That's three."
Reas collapsed into Shane's arms, tears falling.
"I… I saw my past. I was wild. Angry. Powerful. I wasn't afraid of anything except… being alone."
Shane smiled softly. "You're not alone now."
From the back of the room, someone's shadow twitched unnaturally.
A reflection on the blackboard shimmered—but no one was standing there.
The Mirror Saint watched.
And waited.
To be continued…