The morning light slipped through the tall glass panes, fractured by the curtains into soft ribbons of gold.
Merlin woke slowly, not to noise or alarm, but to warmth. The air felt gentler somehow, the kind of morning where even the wind outside the dorms seemed half-asleep. He blinked once, eyes adjusting to the sunlight that pooled lazily across the floor.
The academy courtyard below was already stirring. Students moved in pairs and trios, some yawning, some laughing, all with that strange, unsteady energy that came after exams and before the next storm of lessons began.
Merlin stretched, rubbing the back of his neck, and caught his reflection in the window. His hair was a mess, and there were faint shadows under his eyes. But… he didn't look exhausted.
He looked alive.
He smiled faintly. "Guess that's new."
The small, metallic hum of his wristband drew his attention, the academy's internal network flashing across the display.
