reath away. Everything about it screamed wealth, power, and exclusivity. High-arched ceilings loomed above, adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a gol

grounding me in the reality that I was now a pa

ets weaving through the air like an unspoken language I hadn't yet learned. But it wasn't just social. It was something deeper...hierarchy, politics, an unshakable order of power that dictated who stood where. I could feel

sessing. I followed her line of sight as she nodde

their bad side unless you have a death wish." She shifted her attention to another corner. "And those are the Beta elite

grid's expression darkened slightly as she tilted her hea

dropping even lower, "_is Theo

ven had a chance to settle in. His dark eyes scanned the room, as if he was assessing and categorizing everyone within it, deciding who was worth his time

of conversation. The room fell into an immediate hush, every head turning toward the grand

eadmi

ed to another era. Her silver-streaked hair was pulled into a tight coil at the nape of h

ce, letting the silence sett

ot simply teach-we cultivate the strongest minds, the most

e did not step forward to speak. He didn't need to. His presence alone was enough to shift the energy in the room. He stood tall, dressed in dark, immaculately tailored attire, his ha

s...his eye

aze felt different. It wasn't idle curiosity, nor was it the condesce

my voice barely above

oment she saw him, she let out

sharp pulse of unease

technically run by the Council, but everyone knows the Blackwoods control this place. They always have." She hesitat

admistress's voice rang through the hall once m

es for the Aureum Trial

rippling in its wake. I frowned, because I was unfamiliar with the

who meet the requirements will be considered. Strength, intellect, and resilience.

. I could practically hear the whis

ould e

strong

't stand

rid, "What's th

answer, the Headm

." Headmistress's sentence was cut short beca

fell over the assembly, heads turning in unison toward the entrance. I tried to get a glimpse of whoever had just arrived, but my

k, but all I caught were whispers pa

th

can'