Before Kael could ask more, the lights flickered. The Academy’s ambient hum—the low, constant thrum of reality being edited in real-time—changed pitch. It sounded like a sigh.
“Just the tag,” Kael said. “-Ninoss-.” WTM Academy -v0.361- -Ninoss-
“Version 0.361 stable,” the Headmaster’s voice purred, too smooth, too warm. “Please welcome the Ninoss update. Affected individuals will now perceive the ‘debug space’ between lessons. Do not attempt to exit the simulation through these gaps. Do not communicate with the ‘silent operators’ you may see there. Above all—” the voice paused, and for the first time in three years, Kael heard something like fear in it. “—do not let them teach you your real name.” Before Kael could ask more, the lights flickered