The past two weeks at Blackstone had been a joke. Every lesson—elemental theory, combat strategies, and history—felt painfully easy. I barely had to try, and yet I kept winning duels, leaving my classmates in the dust. To be honest, I was bored out of my mind, and my mind often wandered to darker thoughts. It wasn't just about being the best; it was about being above everyone else.
When the headmaster called for an unexpected assembly, I barely registered it. The whole school shuffled into the great hall, whispers buzzing like flies around me. I found a seat in the back, leaning against the wall, already half-asleep. My indifference made me an outsider among my peers.
The headmaster's voice boomed through the hall, instantly silencing the chatter. "Students of Blackstone," he began, "I have important news. As of tomorrow, all students will be required to pack their belongings. Your guardians will be arriving to take you home. We have little time, everyone do it quickly and your gaurdians will be her tomorrow morning."
Confusion rippled through the room. I sat up, my interest piqued. "That's weird," Rael muttered next to me. "Guardians? Why?"
I shrugged. "No clue. But whatever. It won't matter soon enough."
"As you prepare to leave," the headmaster continued, "please ensure you are packed and ready by tomorrow morning. This is for your safety."
"Safety?" I scoffed under my breath. "From what? We're the strongest magic users in the kingdom."
When the assembly ended, I scanned the crowd, searching for answers. Rael and Nyla followed close behind me as I made my way toward a group of older students.
"Hey," I said, catching their attention, "what do you think is going on? Any idea why we're being sent home?"
One of the students, Theron or Mr Know-it-all, shook his head, looking just as confused as everyone else. "No idea. None of the teachers are talking either. They just keep saying it's for our safety."
"Great. Just what we need," I muttered. I needed real answers, That meant asking the one person I'd been avoiding: Aurora.
As the princess and a prominent member of the student council, if anyone knew something, it'd be her. She had access to more information than any of us.
"Let's go ask Aurora," I said, the knot in my stomach tightening.
Rael raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? You know how she gets."
"I know," I grumbled, already regretting the decision.
We tracked her down near the council chambers, where she was busy talking to a few other students. The moment she spotted me, her eyes lit up. "Aiden! I've been looking for you!"
"Yeah, well, I wasn't hiding," I said, my voice sharper than intended. "I need to talk to you."
Her expression shifted from joy to concern in an instant. She nodded and motioned for me to follow her. She shot a " In private" look at Rael and Nyla.
They exchanged uncertain glances but stepped back as Aurora led me away.
Once we reached the council room, Aurora closed the door behind us, sealing us in silence. The council room was dimly lit, a few lamps casting flickering shadows on the walls. It was unsettling, and yet… fitting. I could feel the tension in the air, thick as fog.
"Why are we being sent home?" I asked bluntly, unable to contain my frustration. "What's really going on?"
Aurora hesitated, her expression flickering between concern and something else I couldn't place. "You're too young to understand everything, Aiden."
"Too young?" I snapped, anger flaring. "I'm eleven! I'm not some child! If there's danger, I have a right to know!"
She sighed, crossing her arms, her gaze dropping to the floor. "You're still learning, Aiden. There are things you can't carry yet. It's safer for you to be with your family."
"Safer?" I scoffed. "How? By hiding away like some frightened rabbit?"
"Aiden—" she started, her voice firm yet soft, "it's complicated. I don't want to burden you with things you can't control."
"Complicated?" I pushed back, refusing to back down. "If something's coming, I need to be ready. I won't just sit back and do nothing."
Aurora's eyes softened, and she stepped closer, as if to comfort me. "I know you want to help. But trust me, some battles aren't meant for you to fight right now. It's not about being strong; it's about being smart. You have to stay safe, and that means going home."
I clenched my fists, frustration boiling inside me. I didn't like being treated like a child, and I certainly didn't like being told to run away from a fight. I was a prince—wasn't that supposed to mean I was meant to lead? I'd rather use my strength to crush those who dared to threaten my new life.
"Fine," I said, forcing a smirk onto my face.