The week after the courtyard incident passed slowly, each day stretching longer than the last. Kael Aldrich moved through the Aldrich Academy like a shadow, careful to avoid drawing attention, yet painfully aware of the curious, cautious, or outright mocking gazes of his peers.
The whispers had grown. Not open accusations, but subtle comments just loud enough for him to hear: he's dangerous, he doesn't belong, the Aldrich shame. Kael tried to ignore them, tried to focus on lessons, but every glance, every smirk, every sidelong comment made his stomach churn.
He didn't know how much longer he could hold himself together.
During morning practice, students were paired for exercises in controlled energy projection. Kael's partner was a boy named Marcek, older, broader, confident.
"You're trembling," Marcek said casually, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're worried you'll blow yourself up or someone else?"
Kael's fists clenched under the desk. "Just focus," he muttered, unwilling to engage.
Marcek leaned closer. "I heard about yesterday. Fire disappearing in your hands? You better not try that trick here. The instructors might not be so forgiving."
Kael felt heat rush to his face. He had done nothing intentionally, yet now it was whispered rumors that he could steal energy, that he was dangerous. He stared at the floor, trying to suppress the trembling of his hands.
The exercises began. Students launched small bursts of fire, sparks of light, even minor telekinetic movements. Kael tried to participate, but every time he raised his hands, the familiar tingling returned, unpredictable and wild.
One of Marcek's friends, a girl named Selina, stepped back suddenly, stumbling as a faint pulse of energy passed near her. She gasped, eyes wide. Kael's heart raced.
Not again…
He lowered his hands instantly, swallowing the rising panic.
The instructor, Master Lorian, noticed the disturbance. "Kael Aldrich, step forward," he commanded.
Kael obeyed, dread pooling in his stomach. His classmates' whispers sharpened into speculation. He felt like every eye was on him, waiting for him to fail or worse, to explode.
"You have potential," Lorian said, scanning Kael's pale face. "But you must control it. Power without control is chaos. You must master yourself before it masters you."
Kael nodded numbly, heart hammering. The words should have encouraged him, but they only reminded him how fragile he felt, how easily he might lose control.
Lunch offered little relief. Kael sought the quietest corner of the courtyard, away from groups of students. He ate slowly, hands still tingling, mind replaying the incidents of the morning.
"Eating alone again?" a voice asked.
Kael looked up to see Marcek leaning casually against the edge of the fountain, Selina and two others at his side.
"I'm not in the mood," Kael muttered.
Marcek smirked. "You know, people are talking. Strange things happening when you're around. We all wonder… what are you hiding, Aldrich?"
Kael felt the old fear rise. He swallowed, pressed his hands together. "Nothing," he said, voice low but firm.
Marcek leaned closer. "I'm not convinced. One slip, and everyone will see what you really are."
Kael's hands tingled again. He clenched them, feeling the pulse of energy threatening to erupt. He closed his eyes, breathing slowly, trying to calm himself.
Elias appeared just then, his presence a grounding force. "Kael," he said softly, "ignore them. Come with me."
Kael hesitated, then followed. Elias led him to a secluded alcove near the practice fields. "You're not alone," he said. "Whatever happens, we'll figure it out."
Kael nodded, grateful, but the fear remained. The whispers, the stares, the potential for danger it all pressed against him like a storm.
That evening, Kael returned to his chambers. The quiet felt fragile, almost unreal after the day's tension. He sat at his desk, staring at the polished wood, hands trembling.
He thought of the spark that had flickered in his hands during practice. It hadn't harmed anyone, but the energy had responded to his fear, to his emotions, without his consent. And now, with the pressure building, he felt the familiar pulse again, stronger this time.
He couldn't ignore it. He couldn't suppress it forever.
Kael's thoughts drifted to Elias. He wanted to confide, to explain, but fear silenced him. The power was dangerous. He had already seen what it could do. He couldn't risk anyone discovering it not yet.
The next day, a test in elemental projection brought Kael to the breaking point. Students were asked to create controlled bursts of fire, guiding them through hoops and obstacles. Kael raised his hands, trying to focus, but his pulse surged uncontrollably.
Marcek and Selina were watching, snickering. "Go on," Marcek taunted. "Show us the magicless wonder. Maybe you'll finally explode."
Kael's chest tightened. The tingling in his hands became a burning sensation. His fear, his frustration, his desire to survive it all converged.
And then it happened.
A small flare of fire leapt from his hands, forming a ring of sparks that danced through the air. The students gasped. The instructor froze. Kael's heart raced as he realized it hadn't been accidental this time it had been his control, however instinctive, forcing the magic to respond.
The fire died down, leaving the courtyard quiet. Kael's hands were still trembling, sweat pouring down his face. He looked at Elias, who had been standing at the edge of the field, eyes wide but calm.
Elias didn't scold him. He only gave a small nod, a mixture of relief and recognition. Kael had done it. He had used the power intentionally albeit instinctively, driven by pressure and fear but it had worked.
That night, Kael lay awake, heart pounding, hands still tingling with the memory of fire. He didn't know how he had done it, or why, or what it meant for the future.
But one thing was clear. He was no longer powerless.
And the world around him had started to notice.
And they would either fear him or deny him, and he was scared of what the outcome might be.