The world snapped back into place with a jolt.
Stone beneath his feet. Cool air on his skin. The familiar scent of the academy courtyard.
Soren blinked rapidly, clutching the fox to his chest as the last of the Trial's light faded from his vision.
Students were everywhere—hundreds of them—crowding the courtyard, whispering, pointing, craning their necks to see who had emerged from the final Trial.
Soren froze.
"Oh no," he whispered. "People."
Kael steadied him. "You're fine."
"I'm not fine. I'm being perceived."
Aldric snorted. "Get used to it."
Lira stepped forward, frost‑wolf at her side, calm as ever. "They're just curious."
Soren stared at her. "Curious about what? How close I came to dying? How many times I screamed? How many times I tripped? How many—"
A voice cut through the noise.
"Team Kael, Lira, Aldric, and Soren Vale. Step forward."
Soren's stomach dropped.
Commander Arcturus stood at the front of the courtyard, cloak billowing, golden eyes sharp as ever. Instructors flanked him on both sides.
Soren whispered, "I hate this place."
The fox chirped.
They stepped forward.
The crowd parted around them like water around a ship. Students stared—some in awe, some in confusion, some in disbelief.
Soren tried to shrink behind Kael.
Kael shoved him forward. "Stop that."
"I can't."
"Try."
"I can't."
Arcturus watched them approach with an unreadable expression.
When they stopped in front of him, he spoke.
"You completed the Trials."
Soren blinked. "We… did?"
Aldric rolled his eyes. "Obviously."
Lira nodded. "Yes."
Kael bowed his head slightly. "Commander."
Arcturus's gaze shifted to Soren.
Soren squeaked.
"You," Arcturus said, "showed… unexpected capability."
Soren blinked. "I did?"
Arcturus nodded once. "Your bond with your beast is unusually strong. Your ability to channel its power is… rare."
Soren stared at him. "I didn't mean to."
A ripple of laughter moved through the crowd.
Arcturus did not laugh.
"Intentional or not," he said, "you demonstrated a level of synchronization that even advanced tamers struggle to achieve."
Soren's brain short‑circuited. "I… what?"
Kael smirked. "You did well."
Lira nodded. "Very well."
Aldric muttered, "Barely."
Soren ignored him. "I don't understand. I was panicking the entire time."
Arcturus's eyes softened—barely. "Panic does not negate instinct."
Soren blinked. "It doesn't?"
"No."
The fox chirped proudly.
Arcturus continued, "Your fox's evolution was… unusual."
Soren clutched the fox protectively. "He's fine. He's perfect. He's not exploding."
Arcturus raised an eyebrow. "I can see that."
The crowd murmured.
Someone whispered, "That's the kid who fought the Mistwraith."
Another whispered, "He channeled his beast's power."
Another: "He took down a Titan Construct."
Soren's face went red. "No I didn't! I mean—I did—but I didn't mean to!"
Arcturus lifted a hand, silencing the courtyard instantly.
"Regardless of intent," he said, "your performance has earned recognition."
Soren blinked. "Recognition?"
Arcturus nodded. "Your team placed first."
Soren's jaw dropped. "FIRST?!"
Aldric smirked. "Obviously."
Kael smiled faintly. "We worked hard."
Lira nodded. "We earned it."
Soren pointed at himself. "But I screamed the whole time!"
Arcturus said, "And yet you succeeded."
Soren opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"I hate this place," he whispered.
The fox nuzzled his cheek.
Soren sighed. "Okay. I hate it slightly less."
Arcturus stepped forward.
"Team," he said, "you are hereby invited to the Inner Division evaluation."
The courtyard erupted in gasps.
Soren fainted.
Straight backward.
Kael caught him before he hit the ground. "He'll be fine."
Aldric rolled his eyes. "Pathetic."
Lira smiled softly. "Expected."
The fox hopped onto Soren's chest and chirped.
Soren groaned weakly. "I hate this place."
The fox chirped louder.
And the courtyard buzzed with whispers of the boy who screamed his way to first place.