Morning fog curled over the Silvercrest training arena, softening the sharp white stone pillars and muting the chatter of students gathering in clusters. Today was different from the usual skill drills. Today was the first time the academy paired students for joint ability combat—a test designed to expose weaknesses, compatibility, and hidden instincts.
Aria stood at the edge of the arena. Her heart thudded anxiously as she scanned the gathering crowd. Everyone else seemed excited. Confident.
She, on the other hand, could barely breathe.
Her silence made her feel smaller than usual, though she tried her best to hide it. After everything that happened during her first ability test… after the mark that had glowed on her wrist last night… she wasn’t sure she trusted her own body anymore.
