The world stopped. It didn't literally pause, but the sudden reality of the situation made it feel close enough. No one spoke, and no one moved. Even the surrounding academy formations seemed to grow quieter as everyone watched and waited. Caelum had just asked a question he should not have been able to ask—a question only Orion should understand, and one that should have been completely impossible for an outsider to conceive.
"When your System speaks to you..."
The words lingered in the air, echoing clearly in Orion's mind, heavy and undeniably real. "...does it still call itself the Old Bastard?"
Selene frowned, her brow furrowing as she broke the silence. "What System? What are you talking about?"
Vale snapped her gaze toward her niece, her voice sharp. "You don't call yours a System?"
The silver-haired girl blinked, genuinely confused. "No. It's the lineage core interface. Why would anyone call it a System?"
