The sun crept higher into the sky, casting its warm golden light across the land.

  The black Dragon was the first to stir. His red eyes blinked open as a ray of sunlight filtered through the trees and struck his face. Slowly, he lifted his head, gaze drifting toward the lake, where the sun was just beginning to peek over the water’s surface.

  Then his eyes shifted to his sister—and her Veisha.

  Somehow, during the night, their sleeping arrangement had shifted. Rayzil was now sprawled on her back, all four legs in the air. And resting on her chest, limbs dangling over her sides, was Soren—completely out cold.

  Nercostes exhaled slowly and closed his eyes, giving his head a faint shake. Yep. They’re perfect for each other.

  He glanced down at his own Veisha, who hadn’t moved a muscle since falling asleep.

  As much as Nercostes wanted to let his Veisha rest a little longer, he knew they needed to reach the Capital as soon as possible.

  He slowly rose, stretching his large wings wide, releasing the tension in his back with a quiet groan of movement. Turning toward Zephares, he lowered his head and gently nudged him with his nose.

  Zeph’s eyes fluttered open, blurry at first, until he saw the familiar shimmer of dark scales in front of him. The deep voice of his Ajaiyi echoed softly through the quiet forest.

  "The sun is rising, Zephares. We should start packing up."

  Zeph sat up with a tired nod, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. One hand lifted to ruffle his messy hair as he glanced toward his best friend—still fast asleep on Rayzil’s chest, limbs hanging like a sloth.

  Zeph let out a quiet chuckle and looked back at Nercostes. "So… you want to wake those two up, or should I?"

  Nercostes turned his head to study the scene for a moment, then exhaled with a faint rumble. "I’ll wake them. You go ahead and start getting everything ready."

  Nercostes made his way over to Rayzil, his heavy steps leaving distinct impressions in the dirt. Reaching the two, he leaned down and gently nudged his twin’s head with his snout.

  Rayzil groaned, voice muffled by sleep. "Five more minutes..."

  Nercostes shook his head slowly. "If you don’t get up now, we’ll be late. Wouldn’t want to delay your grand adventure, would you?"

  At the talk of being late, Rayzil’s eyes snapped open. In a flash, she twisted to her feet—unintentionally launching Soren off her chest.

  The Veisha hit the ground with a grunt, sitting up and rubbing the back of his head. "Hey! You flying reptile! What was that for!?"

  But Rayzil was already bouncing on her feet, completely unfazed by the rude awakening she’d caused. She practically vibrated with excitement.

  "You’ll live!" she chirped. "Now come on—let’s go!"

  Soren muttered something under his breath but stood and brushed the dirt from his clothes. With a quick glance at Zeph, he joined him in packing up their gear. The two Veisha moved efficiently, more out of necessity than routine—trying to keep up with the overly eager Dragon, who was now pacing like a child.

  The rest of their flight passed without issue. Thanks to Rayzil’s enthusiasm, they were able to take their time. They made frequent stops, allowing the Dragons to rest and conserve their energy for the day ahead.

  Zephares recalled something his father once told him—that the first day was mostly orientation: sorting cadets into groups, handing out room assignments, getting a feel for the place. It sounded manageable.

  But still… he couldn’t help wondering.

  Would they separate the Ajaiyi from their Veisha like the schools had done?

  He prayed they wouldn’t.

  Now, with the sun high in the sky and beginning its slow descent, Soren found his thoughts drifting—to the moment they’d first arrive at the Capital… and what awaited them beyond its towering gates.

  A sudden thought hit Soren like a bolt of lightning.

  If they landed directly at the training grounds, they’d be swarmed by Steorra Guardsmen. No one was allowed into the Capital without a proper pass through the front gate.

  Panic bubbled in his chest. He hadn’t even thought to ask if they had them. In all the excitement of the day previous, it had completely slipped his mind.

  He whipped his head toward Zeph, who was flying steadily beside him."Zeph! Do you have the passes for the front gate?"

  Zeph glanced over calmly, then patted the messenger bag laying across his leg. "I’ve got it covered. My dad gave me two passes just before his last trip back."

  Soren let out a heavy sigh, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Thank God. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I almost had a panic attack thinking we’d get turned away."

  Zeph just shrugged, his voice steady. "Like I said—I’ve got it covered."

  Soren didn’t press further. He knew why.

  Ever since Magnus died, Zeph had started doing more and more on his own. Taking responsibility. Planning ahead. Carrying weight no one asked him to. It was like something had shifted inside him—like he didn’t want to be caught unprepared ever again.

  Soren glanced at his friend and hoped that once they made it to the Capital, once they were surrounded by other cadets, Zeph might start to find his way back—to being part of a team, not just surviving on his own.

  A few hours passed, and finally, The Capital began to rise on the horizon—a breathtaking sight that exceeded anything they had imagined.

  The first thing to catch their eyes was the castle—a massive structure of white stone and sky-blue spires, sitting at the far end of the city. It towered above everything, its elegant towers reaching for the clouds. Some had balconies carved into them, others stood sleek and solid, casting long shadows over the city below.

  Surrounding the Capital was a pale, high wall, stretching as far as they could see. Along its edges, scattered at regular intervals, were guard stations, each one manned with soldiers. As they flew closer, they spotted a large gate ahead—clearly the main entrance into the city.

  The two Ajaiyi began their descent, wings stretching wide to slow their speed as they approached the ground. With practiced grace, the Dragons touched down several yards away from the city gate.

  Their Veisha dismounted quickly, bags slung over their shoulders as they started toward the towering entrance.

  As they neared the gate, a striking golden Vorthiss shimmered in the sunlight—painted across the wood in elegant curves, unmistakably the symbol of the King’s Ajaiyi.

  Flanking the gate stood two Steorra Guardsmen, one on each side. Their uniforms were pristine white, accented with subtle blue and gold, the fabric catching the light in clean, formal lines. Standing beside each of them was a massive brown Stag. Their enormous antlers branched out like living trees, adding even more to their already regal stance.

  Like the Quilstream that had chased them a couple months prior, the Stags wore brown leather breast collars, though instead of the gleaming Admiral’s star, a silver diamond was affixed to each—symbolizing the rank of Sergeant.

  Soren and Zeph exchanged a glance, wide smiles spreading across their faces. Without a word, they stepped forward, heading toward the gate.

  The two Guards moved in unison, stepping out to meet them, their towering Stags following close behind. The group came to a halt just a few feet from the massive entrance.

  The Guard on the right spoke first, his tone firm and practiced. "You must have proper credentials to enter the Capital. Show us your passes now, or turn back."

  Without hesitation, Zeph reached into his bag, rummaging for a moment before pulling out two sleek blue cards. He handed them over to the Guard, who inspected them carefully, flipping them over in his hands before giving a short nod and returning them.

  The second Guard gave a subtle signal to his Ajaiyi. The massive Stag turned toward the wall and released a powerful, echoing bugle. A deep rumble followed as the enormous doors began to open, splitting the golden cobra emblem clean down the middle.

  Soren and Zeph took their first steps forward—but before they could cross the threshold, Rayzil’s voice rang out behind them.

  "Hey, Soren. Do you remember what I asked you in the Prismalith?"

  He turned back, smiling as the memory returned instantly.

  Rayzil’s eyes shimmered with excitement. "So… are you ready for that adventure?"

  Just like before, Soren didn’t hesitate. "Born ready."

  With that, the group stepped through the gates and into the Capital—toward the beginning of a new chapter, one that would define their future.

  As they stepped into the Capital, the first thing they noticed was the diversity—a vibrant crowd made up of people from every corner of the country. The streets buzzed with movement and voices, but what caught their attention most were the Ajaiyi.

  Some were so small they could easily fit in the palm of a hand. Others were so massive they clearly couldn’t fit inside most buildings, their footsteps echoing against the stone streets.

  But even in this place filled with wonder, all eyes turned toward the twin Dragons.

  The journey to the Prismalith had never been a private affair. As soon as a child turned ten, their family would make the journey to the crystalline wall to witness their potential bond.

  Nercostes and Zeph had been the first to emerge with a Dragon. When the young black-scaled Ajaiyi stepped through the Prismalith, word spread like wildfire. A Dragon hadn’t been seen in nearly 200 years.

  Then, a few months later, Rayzil followed—white and gold, fierce and bright. Her appearance only fueled the nation’s fascination.

  Though nearly everyone in the country had heard of the twin Dragons by now, nothing compared to seeing them in person. They were legends in the making, living symbols of something long thought lost.

  They continued down the main road, their Ajaiyi walking closely behind, ever watchful. The boys couldn’t help but stare at everything around them—taking it all in like a dream brought to life.

  So many things they’d only ever heard about in stories were now right in front of them.

  Though they had seen their first hologram back in Prodon—broadcasting Magnus’ funeral—here, they lined the streets, vibrant and ever-shifting, displaying everything from city announcements to flashy advertisements.

  Shops overflowed with goods from every region of the country, their displays shimmering with color and movement. Aromas from unfamiliar foods drifted through the air, mingling with the hum of chatter and the sound of street performers.

  This was the heart of the nation, where every culture converged into a single, stunning mosaic. It was almost overwhelming—and completely breathtaking.

  But just as they neared the road leading to the castle, a commotion stirred ahead. Voices raised. Footsteps quickening.

  The air shifted.

  Something was happening.

  People jumped aside, scrambling out of the way as something tore down the dirt road toward the group. A sharp hissing rang through the air, followed by a series of rapid, high-pitched yips. The sound grew louder—closer.

  Soren squinted, scanning the crowd until he spotted it—a small, black blur darting between people's legs on all fours.

  Fast. Low to the ground. But not alone.

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  What followed made his stomach tighten.

  It looked almost like an alligator, but it stood taller and had a longer, more flexible neck. Its head resembled that of a monitor lizard, with sharp eyes and a predatory stillness.

  Its scales were deep black, broken only by a pale grey underbelly and a line of glowing red dots that traced from the edges of its reptilian eyes all the way down to the tip of its tail. Each time it lunged to snap at the creature ahead of it, a flash of bright orange tongue flickered—like fire trapped in its jaws.

  Then the black blur got close enough for them to make out its form.

  A fox—small and agile, its twin tails flicking in rhythm behind it. Each one ended in a vivid splash of blue.

  The fox burst into the open space ahead of the gate.

  Then it looked up—eyes locking onto the two Dragons. Its eyes widened for a moment with a look of recognition.

  The small fox sprinted even faster, its paws kicking up dust before it dove behind Rayzil’s front legs, seeking shelter beneath her massive frame.

  But the pursuer didn’t slow.

  The reptilian Ajaiyi charged forward, its eyes locked on its prey—until it got within a few feet of Soren and Zephares.

  That’s when the twins stepped forward, side by side, and let loose a thunderous roar. The sound echoed through the street, shaking the air with raw power.

  The creature skidded hard, all four legs digging trenches into the dirt as it struggled to halt its momentum.

  It lifted its gaze—right into the eyes of the Dragons.

  Rayzil and Nercostes exhaled in unison, twin streams of smoke curling from their nostrils—slow, deliberate, and heavy with warning.

  The lizard paused for only a second… then turned tail and bolted, disappearing into the crowd without a sound.

  The little fox peeked out from behind Rayzil’s leg, letting out a sharp yip that sounded suspiciously like a laugh. With practiced ease, she crawled up the Dragon’s leg, scampered along her neck, and settled herself neatly between Rayzil’s horns, her twin tails flicking lazily in the air.

  Soren and Zephares stared in stunned silence. That was the most aggressive they had ever seen their Ajaiyi. Danger was not a normal occurrence in the small town of Prodon.

  Soren’s gaze drifted to Rayzil—then slowly upward, to the small black fox now lounging like royalty atop her head.

  "So," he said, lifting an eyebrow, "you gonna let me in on whatever this is, Rayzil?"

  Rayzil dipped her head in a slow, careful nod, clearly mindful of her delicate passenger.

  "Soren, this is Elora," she said, glancing up at the little fox with a rare softness in her voice. "We were friends back in the Realm of the Ajaiyi. She crossed over a few weeks before Nercostes and me, so we never knew where she ended up."

  She paused, her gaze sharpening just slightly. "Though I’m not sure why she was being chased by a Draekon. Mind sharing that bit of information, Elora?"

  Before the little fox could speak, a voice echoed from somewhere nearby—sharp, unmistakable, and all too familiar.

  "Elora! Elora, where are you?"

  Everyone turned their attention toward the direction the fox had come from, spotting a girl weaving through the crowd—frantic, eyes wide, searching every face and shadow. She looked to be the same age as the boys.

  As she neared the group, her gaze finally landed on her Ajaiyi—perched proudly atop the white Dragon’s head like a tiny queen.

  Elora rose to her feet, tails flicking with visible excitement. Then, in a blink, she sprang from Rayzil’s head, hit the ground running, and bolted straight toward her Veisha.

  Just a few feet away, the little fox launched herself into the girl’s arms, where she was immediately swept up in a warm, crushing hug.

  "Oh, Elora! I thought I’d lost you when Jarath sent his Ajaiyi after you!" the girl cried, clutching the fox tightly. "That dickhead! How did you even get away?"

  The little fox lifted her head and began to speak, her voice sweet and melodic. "Keta! I found Rayzil!" she called out, excitement shining in her tone.

  She lifted a tiny paw and pointed dramatically toward the white Dragon. "You should’ve seen Vasuki run," she added with a mischievous grin. "The look on his face when he realized he wasn’t the biggest, baddest thing around anymore. Absolutely priceless."

  The girl—Keta, now known to the group—burst into laughter, the tension in her shoulders finally easing. After a moment, her gaze followed where Elora had pointed, landing on the twin Dragons and their Veisha.

  With curiosity in her eyes and a smile tugging at her lips, she began making her way toward them, giving the boys their first clear look at her.

  Her long hair was tied up in a high ponytail, with soft bangs framing her face. It was jet black, fading to blue at the tips of both her ponytail and bangs. The boys silently wondered—had it always looked like that, or had she changed it to match her Ajaiyi?

  Her eyes were a deep, striking purple, and a thin scar ran across her left cheek, starting near her ear and stopping just short of her lips. It didn’t soften her—if anything, it made her look even more formidable.

  She wore a black leather tunic over a dark blue corset top that didn’t look overly tight, giving her room to move. Her black pants were tucked neatly into knee-high boots, worn but well-kept.

  She came to a stop in front of the boys, then shifted her gaze to Rayzil. "Thank you for saving Elora. Ever since we arrived in the city, she’s done nothing but hope you’d be here."

  Rayzil nods her head deeply, showing just how much she cared for the little fox. Keta then turned her attention towards Soren— sticking her hand out towards him.

  “Hi. My name is Keta Clanshield. You already know Elora, my Ajaiyi. What are your names?”

  Soren extended his hand with a faint smile, replying as their palms met.

  "Name’s Soren. This here’s Zephares. Our Ajaiyi are Rayzil and Nercostes—though I’m guessing little Elora already filled you in on that."

  He glanced at the small fox, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What is she, anyway? I’ve never seen anything like her."

  Keta reached up to scratch Elora’s neck, who was now sitting comfortably on the Veisha’s shoulder. “She’s a Kitsune— a foxlike Ajaiyi that can have up to nine tails. The more tails they have, the more powerful they are.”

  Soren glanced at the Kitsune’s two tails, his brow furrowing. "No wonder she was freaked out over that Draekon—she’s only got two tails." Elora shot him a sharp glare before huffing.

  "Actually, I can grow up to four tails," she corrected, puffing up a bit. "I get bigger too. But even then, Vasuki would still outmatch me. I’d need at least five tails to take him down."

  She paused, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Hopefully can make it all the way to nine with our training!"

  Keta smiles and starts scratching Elora again. “I know you will. We’ll get much stronger over these next two years.” Zephares spoke for the first time since they’d passed through the gate. "You two are training for the Steorra Guard as well?"

  Keta turned her attention back to the boys, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Sure am. We’ve been here a couple of days already—settling in, trying to enjoy some kind of normalcy before we get locked away."

  She chuckled and looked at the two of them with curiosity. "I’m from Veren—just north of here. What about you guys?"

  Zephares took the chance to answer.

  "We’re from Prodon. Pretty far south, so everything up here feels completely different."

  Keta’s eyes lit up with interest. "Wow, you had quite the journey, huh?" Her gaze shifted to one of the nearby holograms, and her expression changed.

  "Holy crap—it’s almost time! Come on, your orientation’s about to start!"

  The group—now six, took off running, following Keta who navigated the maze-like city. After a few minutes of weaving through narrow streets and wide courtyards, they reached yet another gate, this one positioned beside the towering castle.

  Two more Steorra Guards stood watch, their massive Stags at their sides, unmoving and alert. The gate looked nearly identical to the one they had passed through upon entering The Capital—same towering structure, same intricate design. But this one stood open.

  Beyond it stretched a wide courtyard, already bustling with Veisha and their Ajaiyi, scattered in small groups and conversations, waiting for whatever came next. As they made their way in—Soren’s mouth hung ajar, looking at all of the incredible Ajaiyi.

  There had to be a hundred or so others gathered in the courtyard. But what stood out most to him were the Ajaiyi—nearly all of them looked like they were built for battle. Sleek canines, powerful felines, and armored reptilian forms moved among the crowd. A few even resembled horses or other hooved creatures, each one radiating strength in their own way.

  The sight made Zeph silently wonder why Keta and Elora had come here—especially with Elora being so small. But she wasn’t the only one with a smaller Ajaiyi. His only guess was the potential power a fully awakened, nine-tailed Kitsune could possess.

  Still, as the thought of Draven flickered through his mind, he reminded himself not to judge an Ajaiyi’s strength by size alone. That memory only deepened his curiosity—just what could the little Kitsune really do?

  They made their way towards the center of the courtyard, and the two boys take this time to take in their surroundings. The courtyard was enclosed by towering cement walls, solid and imposing.

  None of the Ajaiyi he could see looked capable of jumping over them—they’d have to climb or fly to make it out.

  Evenly spaced along the walls was something Soren had been quietly hoping to see—lights. Not the flickering kind powered by fire, but true electric lights, humming with steady energy. They glowed a soft blue, easy on the eyes and built to last.

  Across from the entrance, in front of the gathered crowd, stood a modest stage. The two Dragons would likely take up the whole thing if they were to stand on it.

  One thing that caught Zeph’s eye was the massive door set into the wall to the right of the stage—undoubtedly built for some of the larger Ajaiyi within the Steorra Guard. Keta turned to the two of them, Elora still perched comfortably on her shoulder.

  "So, why are you guys here? I mean—to join the Steorra Guard." Soren didn’t hesitate. "We grew up in a small town where nothing ever really happened. I want to see the rest of the country, go on adventures with Rayzil." He gave a slight shrug, a spark in his eyes. "What better way to do that than the Steorra Guard?"

  Zephares quickly followed with his answer. "My father was part of the Steorra Guard," Zeph said plainly. "He rose through the ranks and became a protector of the King. I’m here to carry on what he started."

  Keta looked at Zeph before she gets excited, “Wait, Soren said your name was Zephares right? Like Zephares Steele? Your dad was the man that saved the King!” Her excitement quickly disappeared when she realized what that meant.

  “I’m sorry about what happened to your dad. I’d heard stories from my family about how great of a man and soldier he was.” Zephares lowered his gaze slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks," he said under his breath.

  Soren changed the subject quickly, freeing his friend from thinking about his dad. “So does that mean your family is in the Steorra Guard?” She nodded

  “Yep. Well—my mom was, she retired a few years ago after getting injured on a mission. Ever since then she’s been training me and Elora.” Zeph perked up at this, taking an opportunity to figure out more about Elora.

  "So, not to be rude," Zeph said, glancing at Elora with a raised brow, "but what exactly can you and Elora do? It’s just... most of the Ajaiyi here are a lot bigger than her."

  Keta chuckled softly, placing her hands on her hips with a confident smile. "We specialize in stealth. Silent attacks. The kind you never see coming."

  The boys’ eyes widened slightly at that.

  "Elora’s unlocked four tails already," Keta continued. "That lets her grow to just under Vasuki’s size. But once she gets all nine? She’ll be as tall as your Dragons."

  “But she ain’t there yet now is she.”

  A sharp, piercing voice cut through the air, making everyone flinch as someone new joined the conversation.

  The black-haired girl rolled her eyes and turned around, already knowing who it was. She spotted the same person she’d been arguing with earlier—the one responsible for her being separated from Elora.

  "Go away, Jarath. I’ve dealt with you enough for one day."

  A boy strode confidently toward the group, the same Draekon trailing beside him. Both wore the same smug expressions that made them instantly unlikable.

  Jarath had bright red hair and eyes to match, sharp and fiery. He wore a cream-colored linen shirt and brown pants tucked into sturdy combat boots, every step oozing arrogance.

  As he approached, Soren clenched his jaw. He wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug look off Jarath’s face. The guy was a few inches shorter than him—it wouldn’t be hard.

  Jarath stopped just a few feet from the group, placing a hand on his cocked hip with practiced arrogance. "You guys should just ignore her," he said, nodding dismissively toward Keta. "Keta and Elora have nothing on our Ajaiyi. You should come with my group. It’s smarter to stick with people who can actually match your level."

  He gestured behind him, and the boys followed his hand to a small cluster of people—each one with a Draekon by their side. None of them looked particularly friendly.

  Before Soren could fire back with something sharp, Zeph beat him to it.

  "Then why would we hang around your group?" Zeph said evenly. "Keta and Elora seem to match us just fine."

  Jarath blinked, clearly not expecting that. Even Vasuki gave a low scoff beside him, a subtle twitch of his scaled snout betraying amusement or irritation—it was hard to tell.

  Keta and Soren exchanged a look of mutual surprise. Soren was used to being the one with the snappy comebacks. Zeph didn’t usually throw punches—verbal or otherwise. But lately, he’d been full of surprises. And Soren had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last.

  A small smile tugged at Keta’s lips. She wasn’t used to anyone standing up for her—certainly not in front of Jarath. Back in Veren, he’d practically ruled the school. And with Vasuki at his side, no one had dared challenge him. His Draekon had a venomous bite that, rumor had it, made your blood feel like it was boiling. No one had ever been bitten—but no one had ever tried their luck, either.

  "Come on. You guys can’t be serious," Jarath scoffed, spreading his arms in disbelief. "Those two? Elora can’t hold her own against Vasuki, let alone two Dragons. You should ditch her while you still have the chance."

  His words hit like a slap, and he threw a sharp glare at Keta to drive it home.

  Her eyes dropped to the ground, doubt flickering across her face. For a brief moment, she looked like she believed he might be right—like she was waiting for them to agree.

  But before anyone else could respond, a deep, rumbling voice cut through the tension.

  Nercostes stepped forward, the ground seeming to tremble with his presence as he loomed toward Jarath and Vasuki. "You heard what Zephares said," he growled, voice low and cold enough to rattle bone. "Now run along... before I make you."

  Rayzil moved in beside him, her posture calm but threatening, joining her brother’s show of force.

  Jarath stiffened, scoffing as he took a step back—trying and failing to mask the fear flashing in his eyes. "Suit yourself," he muttered, turning away with forced nonchalance.

  Vasuki lingered for a beat longer, his slit eyes narrowing, before a raspy voice hissed from his throat. "Your loss."

  Then he turned and followed his Veisha, only when he was sure Nercostes wasn’t going to back his threat with action.

  Keta let out a quiet sigh and turned to the group, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. I’ve never had anyone stick up for me like that before. "She glanced briefly in the direction Jarath had gone. "He loves to belittle me and Elora—especially since she’s not as big as Vasuki yet. But… we’ll get there."

  Soren flashed her a smirk. "Honestly? I think he’s trying to hold you back. "He folded his arms, eyes thoughtful. "Jarath may be an outrageous ass, but he’s not stupid. He knows Elora’s going to outgrow Vasuki one day—in size and power. And I’ve got a feeling he’ll do whatever he can to slow that down."

  At that, Elora’s two tails began to wag, the compliment lighting her up. She looked up at Keta, who now wore a gleam in her eye—hopeful, determined, and quietly grateful.

  All eyes snapped to the wooden stage as a sharp burst of microphone feedback pierced the air.

  The boys from Prodon froze, eyes widening as they saw him—Admiral Varant Fern, standing tall and commanding at the center of the stage. Perched just above the massive door behind him was his Ajaiyi, the same striking Quilstream that chased them not a two months ago. Its feathers rippling in the breeze as it watched the crowd with piercing eyes. The Admiral’s gold star insignia gleamed brightly in the sunlight, unmistakable and undeniable.

  "Welcome, Cadets," his voice boomed across the courtyard, clear and commanding, "to your last day of freedom."

  He paused, letting the words sink in.

  "I am Admiral Varant Fern. Two years from now, you will graduate as soldiers of the Steorra Guard. Ten of you will earn an automatic invitation to join the Aurorites."

  A quiet murmur rippled through the crowd, but the Admiral’s voice quickly overtook it again, powerful and resolute.

  "Over these next two years, you will undergo training like no other. Some of you will quit. Some of you will be asked to leave. Only the strong will remain. "He let that hang in the air for a breath before nodding once.

  "Now, let’s get you Cadets sorted."