Page 15 of Shadows of Change

My face burns. "I just—the angle was wrong, and then—"

"And then chaos ensued?" His eyebrow arches. "Shocking."

More laughter ripples through the class. My shadows twist tighter, and I can feel them plotting revenge. Please don't, I think desperately. Not now.

But it's too late. The shadows dart out, invisible to everyone else, and suddenly every inkwell in the room tips over simultaneously. Screams and curses fill the air as students scramble to save their notes.

"How did you—" Professor Idorath splutters, his own robes now sporting several ink stains.

"Not just one eyebrow this time," Seren whispers, barely containing her laughter as she helps me gather my things. "Come on, let's get out of here before he remembers he can give detention."

In the hallway, I wait for the judgment, the fear, the inevitable distancing that always comes when my magic acts up. Instead, Seren links our arms together, still grinning.

"That," she declares, "was the most entertaining first class I've ever had. Usually we just blow things up or turn something the wrong color. But you?" She gestures at the chaos we've left behind. "You have style."

"I have no control is what I have," I mutter, but I can't help smiling back.

"Control's overrated. Trust me, half the stuff I enchant ends up singing opera or developing a personality." Seren pulls out her schedule. "Please tell me you have combat training next. I want to see what other havoc you can cause."

For the first time since arriving at Arcanum, I feel something loosen in my chest. My shadows settle slightly, curling around my feet like content cats.

I laugh. "Let's go. Probably shouldn't keep the chaos waiting."

9. Kaia

Combat training is held in an open courtyard ringed with ancient stone pillars. Faint runes radiate along their surfaces, creating barriers to contain stray magic. Aspen is already there when I arrive, his lean form casually propped against one of the pillars.

"Who is that?" Seren whispers, eyebrows waggling as she openly admires him.

"Just Aspen," I reply, finally meeting his eyes and catching the knowing smirk playing across his lips. He definitely heard her.

"Ready to learn some actual shadow manipulation?" he asks, pushing off from the pillar with fluid grace.

Before I can answer, a wave of heat announces Torric's arrival.

"Wait, there's two of them?" Seren's excited whisper carries, making Aspen choke back a laugh.

Torric strides in like he owns the place, already rolling up his sleeves. "Finally. Someone new to throw around."

"Try it," I mutter, my shadows coiling defensively.

Seren squeezes my arm. "Have fun!" she grins before darting off to her training group.

"Aw, look at them," comes Finn's voice from above. I look up to find him perched impossibly on top of one of the pillars, grinning down at us. "Your shadows are like tiny drunk octopi and I love them."

I blink at him, confusion warring with surprise at his comment, but before I can ask what he means, Torric interrupts.

"Can we focus?" he growls, though I catch the slight twitch of his lips. "Some of us are trying to train here."

Aspen steps forward, ever the mediator. "Kaia, let's start with something basic. Shadow magic isn't unlike water—it needs to flow naturally, not be forced."

He demonstrates, creating a smooth arc of water that catches the light beautifully. I try to mimic the motion with darkness, but my attempt sputters and breaks apart. My personal shadows twitch anxiously, making it harder to concentrate.

"No, no, no," Torric cuts in. "You're thinking too much. Magic is about instinct." He summons a flame to his palm. "Feel it, don't overthink it."

"Really helpful," I snap as my shadow construct dissipates. "Any other vague advice you want to share?"

"Oh! Oh!" Finn waves his hand enthusiastically. "I have some advice—your little friends are about to cause chaos."

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