Kai’s POVUpon my arrival at Aureum Academy, the first thing I learn is that everyone here knows how to stare and laugh. And they don’t spare me from either. I keep my head down as I walk through the academy hallways, taking note of the hundreds of students around looking perfect in their pristine ironed uniforms. Aureum is the standard for a reason. Some students are on the training grounds, while some just hang around having loud conversations. Everywhere I look, there are casual displays of magic.One boy sends a tiny flame dancing across his fingertips while another girl freezes a fountain without touching it.Two students spar in the middle of the hallway while a small crowd cheers them on.I tighten my grip on my bag, knowing I don’t belong here.I enter my classroom and take an empty seat near the back. People continue staring but nobody comes over which is good enough for me. I prefer the loneliness and peace. But just as I take out my books, three figures hover around my d

Kai’s POVI walk into the arena of their annual contest, every part of me filled with venom for those people that threw me down there. Someone points to me, “He’s alive. How is that possible?” Every eyes settle on me with shock, including Orin and his goons. I’m not surprised by their reaction. Even me, I’m still surprised by how I got out. All I did was touch the lock and it opened. Vazaroth told me to lock after. One thing is certain, if he wanted to leave, he would have. Orin and his goons laugh as they walk towards me?“You’re alive? I thought the dungeon would kill you for sure,” one says.“He probably crawled out,” another adds.Unlike them, Orin doesn’t look the least bit calm. He follows me until I stop in front of the registration board.“What are you doing here?” I can sense some kind of nervousness from him. He really didn’t expect me to make it out alive. He left me for dead. I don’t answer him and just pick up the marker to write my name.“Are you deaf? I said what do y

Aelia’s POVThe instructor drops a stack of papers onto his desk. “You know the drill, Partners, now.”Everyone scatters around, searching for their favorite persons to partner up with. The academy has no problemswith you working with a friend as long as you bring results. “I chose her first.”“No, I did. She’s my friend.”I quietly watch as they argue amongst themselves. Then I turn toward him. He’s still sitting alone. Nobody has approached him and they won’t. Yes, they want to be connected to him but for something like this, they’re too uncertain and terrified of him to choose him as a partner. Void magic? What if they try to attack a monster and their partner swallows their magic instead. “Kai,” the instructor calls. “You need a partner.”He doesn’t even look up. “No. I’ll work alone.”“You can’t. Everyone gets a partner because the assignment requires it.”He locks his jaw and looks around the room but he quickly sees it’s useless. Everyone is physically hiding from him.He t

Kai’s POV“Congratulations to the students who placed among the winners today.”A cheer explodes through the arena. I’m standing alone as Aelia left after that little charade I played with Orin. A hand grabs my shoulder from behind, I turn and see Jafser. “You did it!”I stare, mumbling. “Thank you.”The instructor continues. “Although we have only one spectacular team, groups with two points and above have earned an additional privilege.”“A privilege?” someone whispers.The arena immediately becomes quieter as everyone stares questioningly.The instructor smiles knowingly. “For the next three days, these students will participate in a controlled dungeon expedition.”Before I can make sense of what he said, the arena explodes again, much louder this time.I stare at Jafser as he jumps around excitedly. What in the hell is going on?He looks at me, noticing my confusion. “What? Don’t tell me you don’t know what he means?”“If I did, I’m certain you would see it on my face.”His eyes w