The professor's voice echoed as glowing diagrams faded from the air."For all the theory in the world, nothing matters unless you can channel. So—let's see what you're capable of."
The air shifted. Students straightened, some nervous, others eager.
"Line up," the professor instructed. "One by one, you will draw from the obelisk's light and release a basic manifestation of your element. Nothing fancy. Just control."
A collective murmur ran through the class. Control was harder than power—everyone knew that.
The first student stepped forward, a boy with sapphire rings on his fingers. He touched the floating crystal sphere at the front of the room, and blue light spiraled up his arm. A wave of water splashed into the air before evaporating neatly. Applause followed.
Another student raised sparks. Another conjured wind. Each performance was met with murmurs of approval or quiet judgment.
When Casian's turn came, he strode forward like he owned the place. Flame leapt to life around him, his aura hot enough to make nearby students squint. He shaped the fire into a roaring lion before letting it dissolve with a cocky grin.
"Impressive," the professor said, though his tone was measured.
Casian shot me a look over his shoulder. Your turn, transfer.
I stepped forward.The crystal sphere pulsed, waiting.
My hand hovered, hesitant. I could already feel both halves of myself stirring—the warmth of light, the chill of shadow. A dangerous mix. If I pulled from both, even a little, it would unravel.
Blend in. Pretend.
I touched the sphere.
Power flooded in, too eager, too vast. I clamped down hard, forcing it into a narrow stream, shaping it into a faint silver glow around my hand. Nothing more.
A ripple of whispers spread.
"That's… unusual.""Not fire, not water—what is that?""Looks unstable."
The glow flickered once before I snuffed it out. Controlled. Contained. Safe.
The professor studied me with sharp eyes."…Acceptable. Next."
I exhaled quietly and returned to my seat. Casian looked disappointed I hadn't embarrassed myself. The pink-haired girl by the window—Mira, I overheard someone call her—watched me again, expression unreadable.
The rest of the demonstrations passed quickly, though the air stayed charged. When the professor dismissed us, the courtyard filled with chatter.
"That silver light…""Never seen that element before.""Think the Council will notice?"
I froze at that word.
Council.
A group of older students walked past, their badges gleaming. They spoke loudly enough for half the courtyard to hear.
"The Twin Spears don't care about first-years," one said."Maybe Lyra does—she's always sniffing out talent.""Ha! Unless you're healing prodigy material, Mira won't look your way either."
I kept my expression neutral, but the names stuck.Aeron. Eryx. Lyra. Mira. Selene.The Chosen Five.
The Student Council of Angel Academy.
I looked up at the sky again, clouds drifting beneath the floating island. The academy was full of eyes, full of expectations, full of traps.
And somehow, I'd just stepped into the middle of them.