He hadn’t even made it two steps into the courtyard before Maki elbowed him, nodding toward the edge of the training grounds. A first-year stood there—shoulders drawn tight, cradling a weapon wrapped in well-finished seals- like it was familiar

Panda muttered beside them something along the lines of explaining that Yuta asked the underclassman to help infuse curses into a weapon, loud enough for the first-year and Yuta to shift, looking to them. Toge tilted his head. He’d seen him around. Briefly. Always behind someone else. This was the first time up close.

Toge raised a hand in return. “Kelp.”

A beat of silence. Then confusion furrowed the boy’s brow. He saw the boy glance at Maki. She smirked but didn’t explain. She never did. Toge smiled with his eyes. Reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and tapped a few words.

Cursed speech. Can’t talk normally, i'm not just hungry or something.

That earned a lopsided grin. Progress.