Ten minutes passed exactly.
Jelo stood up from the bench at the edge of the training grounds, rolled his shoulder once, and looked across the field.
Atlas was still sitting. Leaning back on both hands, legs stretched out, watching the sky with the particular relaxed expression of someone who had just been through something and was taking the recovery seriously.
Mira had her blades sheathed. Standing still. Eyes closed. Breathing even.
"You're actually going," Atlas said. Not a question.
"Yeah."
"Right now."
"Right now."
Atlas looked at him for a moment. Then nodded slowly.
"Ken's probably at the east block," he said. "That's where he trains alone."
Jelo turned and walked.
⸻
The east block was quieter than the main grounds.
