The boy flushed. "Sorry, habit. My father's in the city guard."
"Relax," Merlin said, voice calm. "You don't need formality here."
"Right." The boy nodded quickly. "I'm Kieran Vale. Elemental affinity: wind."
Beside him, a tall girl with braided auburn hair lifted a hand in a half-wave. "Mira Halden. Enchanter path. Don't mind him; he still salutes his breakfast."
Kieran muttered, "It's called discipline."
"It's called weird," Mira shot back, rolling her eyes.
Merlin's lips twitched faintly.
The third student, shorter, with round glasses and ink smudges on his fingertips, stepped forward hesitantly. "Um, I'm Theo Murren. I… work with mana formations. I'm not good with combat, but I can draw runes fast."
Nathan grinned. "A runesmith? Nice. You'll fit right in. Merlin here practically bleeds over glyphs."
Theo's eyes widened. "Wait—you're the Merlin Everhart?"
Merlin tilted his head. "That depends. Who's asking?"
