Moments later,

Author

Three days after the exam critiques were circulated, Aria found three of the academy’s most senior professors waiting for her outside the strategy hall. They stood there like nervous students themselves - Professor Gareth, the gruff rune master who had once called her “too bold for her station”; Mara’s mentor Elara, who taught wilderness survival and field medicine; and Torin, the ancient pack law scholar who rarely spoke to anyone outside his own library.

“Aria,” Gareth said, clearing his throat. “We… we’ve been going over your notes. And we want to ask you more.”

Aria paused, shifting her pack higher on her shoulder. “I have a briefing...