Leo stood in the common area with Aria beside him. The envelope bearing the academy seal felt heavier than it should have. He broke the wax. The formal notice unfolded in crisp, official script.
Aria leaned in, reading alongside him.
"Student Leo Arkin is hereby required to attend mandatory counseling sessions regarding uncontrolled aura manifestations. Training privileges will be restricted for a period of no less than two weeks. A public statement of regret and acknowledgment of misconduct must be submitted within three days. Any further incidents of aura outbursts will result in immediate suspension or expulsion proceedings."
The notice made no direct mention of the three Purist girls stomping Aria into the stone. It referred only to "the corridor disturbance" in passive, bloodless language that painted Leo as the instigator.
Aria's face paled. Her shoulders slumped.
