Aiden walked slowly across the sprawling grounds of Skyline Academy, his badge glowing faintly in his palm. The enchanted badge pulsed like a compass, pulling him toward his destination with a subtle tug. Every time he thought about where he needed to go, the badge flared brighter, its light humming warmly against his skin. Whenever he veered off, the glow dimmed, warning him of a wrong turn. It was reliable, precise, and yet Aiden couldn't help but feel a nervous twist in his stomach as it guided him toward the building that held the wolf classes.
He had not forgotten the humiliation of the Fae class earlier. His classmates had conjured their fire effortlessly while he stood empty-handed, unable to summon even a spark. Now, as he followed the glowing pull of his badge, he prayed quietly under his breath.
"Please," he whispered, clutching the badge tightly. "Please don't let this be like the Fae class. Please don't let me be ordinary again."
