Hearing the teacher’s deep voice booming from inside the classroom, Philipa forced herself to calm down. She took a slow breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped inside.
The moment she entered, the room fell silent.
Dozens of eyes turned toward her.
Some curious. Some judging. Some openly mocking.
At the front stood a muscular man with thick arms folded across his chest. His sharp eyes narrowed as they landed on her.
“Well,” he said slowly, his voice rough and commanding. “You must be Jordan Kadel.”
“Yes, sir,” Philipa replied immediately.
He studied her for a moment, clearly unimpressed.
“There are rules in my class, young man,” he said. “Rule number one—I do not tolerate lateness. If you can’t respect my time, then you are not fit to be in this academy.”
Philipa nodded qu
