Zara's POV
The results came out at dawn. The air was sharp with frost, mist curling around the notice boards like ghostly fingers. Students gathered in hushed clusters, their breaths fogging as they scanned the parchment pinned under glass.
My stomach twisted as I pushed through them, ignoring Nova's smug smirk and Seraphine's quiet giggle.
My eyes flicked down the list until they landed on my name:
Zara Blackwood – PASS (Remedial Trial Required)
Remedial Trial. My heart sank into my shoes.
"How did it go, huh?" Nova purred behind me, her syrupy voice cloying against my ear. "Heard you screamed so loud the whole forest woke up."
I ignored her and walked away. Talia called out as I passed. "Zara—hey, don't let it get to you, okay?"
I gave her a tight smile, but it
