Newella still lingered in Cameron's head as he entered his room in the family house. The scent of salt and jasmine was replaced by the familiar smells of old books, fabric softener from the curtains and expensive air freshener, but something within him had settled. The chaos of his final semester was gone. He felt steady. Clear.
The offer from The Aetherius Collective on his desk. The card looked too neat beside his messy stacks of papers. For weeks, it had felt heavy. Now, it didn't. It felt like an answer. He picked it up, running his thumb over the logo. He didn't need to list pros and cons. He already knew. He'd known for a while, he just needed the noise to stop.
He scheduled a video call with Dr. Elara Grey. When her face appeared on the screen, sharp and focused as ever, he spoke without hesitation.
"Dr. Grey. Thank you again for the incredible offer. After careful consideration, I am writing to formally accept the Novitiate Research Fellowship."
