By Monday, the storm had a story. Stories formed faster than repairs. The official version was simple. A stronger-than-forecast coastal front struck Tidefall during ongoing breakwater work. Storm debris jammed the lower harbour gate. Staff evacuated the harbour. A large surge cleared the obstruction after personnel were safe. No one was seriously injured. All true. The student version was different. Jasper had spoken to the ocean. The ocean had obeyed. Harper had ordered the harbour evacuation. Ava had predicted the exact wave using maths. One Year Two student claimed the three of them had stood on the cliff together controlling the storm while teachers watched. Harper heard that one at breakfast.

"At least make us taller."

Ava looked up.

"What?"

"If I'm going to control storms, I don't want to be seven in the story."

Jasper did not laugh. The rumours bothered him more than after Harper's fall. Then, people had assumed he caused one wave. Now the story gave him a whole storm. He heard phrases in corridors. Sea boy. Storm speaker. Someone asked if he could make the harbour flood on purpose. Someone else asked for rain on sports day. Jasper said no until the word lost meaning. Harper began answering for him.

"He can't control it."

Ava did too.

"Communication is not command."

Jasper appreciated them. He also started feeling like every conversation belonged to the Sea. That made him angry. At lunch on Tuesday, a Year Three student stopped beside the table.

"Can you show us?"

Jasper looked up.

"Show what?"

"The thing. Talk to the ocean."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because that's not how it works."

"Just try."

Jasper's chest tightened. Harper stood.

"He said no."

The older student raised both hands.

"I was asking."

"And now you have an answer."

The student left. Jasper pushed his plate away.

"I can answer myself."

Harper stopped.

"I know."

"Then let me."

Her face changed.

"Fine."

Jasper immediately regretted the sharpness. Ava looked between them.

"You are both angry at different things."

Harper said, "Helpful." Jasper stood.

"I'm going outside."

Harper opened her mouth. Then closed it. He went alone. Allowed alone. Founders' Courtyard was green-flag again and full of students. Jasper stood near the inland arch, nowhere near the sea wall. He needed space without disappearing. The wind was warm after the storm. Repair crews moved far below. Jasper heard footsteps behind him. Professor Ward. She stopped a few metres away.

"Want company?"

Jasper thought.

"Maybe."

Ward stood beside the arch. She did not ask what was wrong. Jasper eventually said, "Everyone wants me to do it."

"Do what?"

"Talk to the sea. Make something happen. Prove it."

"No."

He looked at her.

"No what?"

"No, you are not doing that."

Jasper almost laughed. Ward continued.

"Your ability, if ability is the right word, does not become public entertainment because people are curious."

"I know."

"Do you?"

Jasper thought of the Year Three student. Of his own earlier need for proof.

"Mostly."

"Good enough to start."

He looked toward the sea.

"What if I can help?"

"Sometimes you may."

"Then shouldn't I practise?"

There it was. A clever version of testing. Ward saw it too.

"Practise what?"

Jasper did not answer.

"You cannot practise another being's choices. You can practise your own control. Your attention. Your honesty. Your normal magic. If communication develops, adults can help you document it safely. But you do not poke the sea until it performs."

Jasper nodded.

"Okay."

"And you do not owe anyone proof."

That part settled deeper. When Jasper returned to lunch, Harper had not finished eating. He sat.

"Sorry."

She looked at him.

"Me too."

"You were helping."

"Still talked over you."

Ava said, "Excellent. Conflict resolution. Can we eat now?" The pea hit Jasper. All three stared. Then laughed. But the academy helped. Harper threw a pea at her. Ava's shield flicked up automatically and deflected it. The rumour problem did not vanish. Thorne addressed it in assembly without naming Jasper's private experiences.

"Students involved in emergencies are not demonstrations," he said. "Do not ask classmates to reproduce dangerous or personal magical events."

That stopped most direct requests. Not curiosity. Curiosity remained. Jasper could live with curiosity. He was curious too. The difference was learning when curiosity belonged to you and when the answer belonged to someone else.