Jonah woke up with a shock, the energy from the Nexus Synthesis still vibrating through him. It wasn't a bad feeling, but a deep, steady pulse of power that had settled into his very core. He felt stronger, clearer.
In the back of his mind, an intelligent presence stirred in response. Specter. The link between them was constant, a conversation that ran deeper than words. It was a strange comfort that went deep.
A sharp knock on his workshop door pulled him from his thoughts. "Jonah, get dressed. I'm coming in."
It was Seraph. Jonah quickly threw on a clean uniform as she entered, her eyes scanning the room.
"The Headmaster is pleased," she said, getting straight to the point. "Extremely pleased. Which means your life is about to change. Again."
She handed him a small, heavy black box. Inside, sat on a velvet cushion, was a thick stack of credit chits. It was more money than Jonah had ever seen in his life.
"What's this?" he asked, his voice rough.
