Page 67 of Tempest Awakening

"Don't mistake this for praise, Whittaker. You have a long way to go. But if you can combine that determination with improved skills and conditioning, you might just surprise a few people." She paused, then added, "Including yourself."

As I hurried back to my quarters, exhausted but oddly buoyant, I felt Thalon's presence in my mind.

"I'm proud of you, little one,"he said warmly."You showed great courage."

"Thanks, Thalon,"I replied silently, a small smile tugging at my lips despite my fatigue."I think... I think I might actually deserve a chance here after all."

"Of course you do,"Thalon's mental voice was filled with affection."You've always deserved this chance. You just needed to realize it yourself."

As I reached my room, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was a mess—covered in mud, hair wild, clothes torn. But the woman staring back at me wasn't defeated. Her eyes shone with a newfound determination, a quiet resolve that hadn't been there this morning.

I might not be the fastest, the strongest, or the most naturally gifted. But I was here, I was learning, and I was growing. And that, I realized, was what truly mattered.

This small victory felt precious, fragile. I just hoped the looming academic challenges and my ever-judgmental peers wouldn't shatter it before it had a chance to take root.

Chapter 22

Tess

I rushed towards the Guild building, my damp hair a reminder of the hasty shower I'd taken to wash off the morning's mud. The massive wooden doors loomed ahead, their intricate carvings of dragons and riders almost mocking me.

Pushing open one of the heavy doors, I was hit by a wave of voices and a faint smell of ozone.

"Holy crap," I muttered, taking in the scene. The hallway opened into a huge auditorium-style classroom. There had to be at least two hundred applicants milling about.

My stomach growled, protesting the measly bagel I'd scarfed down. I'd barely had time to clean up and grab a quick bite before rushing here. Note to self: adrenaline and nerves do not make a good breakfast substitute.

I was not at all ready for this "Magic Integration and Ethics" class. How was I supposed to integrate magic I didn't even have? The ethics part I could handle, but the rest? I was way out of my depth.

"You can do this," I whispered.

I scanned the room, searching for a familiar face among the sea of supernatural beings. The auditorium was impressive,with tiered seating that curved around a central stage area. Ornate pillars lined the walls, each carved with symbols I didn't recognize but assumed were magical in nature.

My stomach dropped as I spotted Selena and Valen holding court among a group of other applicants. They caught my eye and smirked, whispering something to their friends that made them all laugh. Great. Just what I needed.

But relief washed over me as I spotted Mason's broad shoulders near the middle of the room. His dark eyes met mine, and he gave a slight nod, gesturing to the empty seat next to him with a tilt of his head.

Grateful, I made my way towards him, carefully navigating around groups of chattering applicants. As I got closer, I noticed Kane sitting a row behind Mason, his striking white hair impossible to miss.

"Hey," I said quietly, sliding into the seat next to Mason.

Mason grunted in response, his expression neutral. "Thought you might need a spot," he muttered, his voice low and gruff.

I caught Kane's eye and offered a small wave. His response was a cold nod before he turned away, effectively dismissing me. Ouch.

A group of applicants sat directly in front of us, and I couldn't help but overhear their hushed conversation.

"Did you see her this morning?" one of them whispered, not quite quietly enough. "The human girl. She fell right into the mud pit."

"I heard she couldn't even sense the ward boundaries," another replied. "How did she even get bonded to a dragon?"

"Probably just a fluke," the first one said. "No way she lasts more than a week."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, heat rising to my cheeks. Even Mason, for all his quiet support, was part of a world I was only beginning to understand.

Mason must have sensed my unease. He leaned slightly closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You good?"

I forced a smile, curiosity and anxiety battling in my stomach. "As good as I can be, I guess."

---