---
Doors opened. Chimney soot puffed. Apprentices jogged past with bundles of ore-strips wrapped in cloth, and a few night-shift miners trudged home in groups, eyes bleary but alert enough to recognize the lean boy with the Hollowback.
"Hollowback Tamer," one whispered. Another muttered, "The one who floored Ayan Vaelor." The story of him punching a D-rank tamer had spread like wild fire in last two days.
Whispers slithered in their wake like rumors born from smoke. Zephyr ignored them. He kept his eyes ahead, his breath slow and steady, counting heartbeats, visualizing drills. He saw flames coiling from claws, arcs of movement, the phantom echo of Ayan's grin. Every step away from Emberfall was a step closer to readiness.
