Stanley suddenly spoke up, his voice cutting sharply through the charged atmosphere of the training hall.
"Why are you just coming now?"
The words rang out clearly, loud enough for every elite student and instructor present to hear.
Damien's eyes darted toward the source instantly. His calm expression tightened, his brows pulling together as his face squeezed into a faint frown. He locked eyes with the blue-haired student, taking in the anger blazing openly in Stanley's gaze.
For a brief moment, Damien said nothing.
Because the irony of it all was simple.
The class wasn't even supposed to begin yet.
According to the academy's own schedule—one he remembered perfectly—the session was meant to start several minutes from now. The presence of multiple instructors gathering early didn't magically change the appointed time. It didn't rewrite the rules. It didn't make him late.
Stanley knew that.
Which was exactly why Damien immediately understood what was happening.
