The morning sun filtered through the classroom windows as the students settled into their seats, buzzing with quiet conversations. Alex sat near the back, his eyes steady, his body relaxed. Though the stares hadn't stopped since he returned, he had grown used to the new attention. His transformation had stirred something in his classmates, a mix of curiosity and wariness.
Their homeroom teacher, Mr. Gallen, walked into the room, his usual sharp demeanor present. His Tay, a Speed Tay, briefly flickered behind him before vanishing in a gust of wind. He turned to face the class, his gaze sweeping over the students as he spoke.
"Alright, everyone. I've got some important news for you all," Mr. Gallen said, his voice carrying an air of seriousness that immediately silenced the room. "Tomorrow, we will be holding a test specifically for those who possess Tay. It will be an evaluation of how well you've bonded with your Tay and how effectively you can use their abilities."
The class murmured in excitement. This was the moment they had all been waiting for, the chance to prove themselves, to show how strong their bonds with their Tay had become.
"Only those who possess a Tay are required to participate," Mr. Gallen continued. "This test will help determine your placement in the Tay Academy next year."
As soon as he finished, a hand shot up in the back of the room.
Alex.
The entire class turned to look at him, surprise rippling through the students like a wave. Mr. Gallen raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting this.
"Yes, Alex?" he asked, his voice curious.
"Can I join the test?" Alex asked, his voice calm and steady.
The room went dead silent. Everyone knew Alex didn't possess a Tay. He had been rejected at the Selection Ceremony in front of all of them. So why was he asking to participate in a test meant only for those who had bonded with a Tay?
A few students exchanged confused glances, while others began whispering to one another.
"Does he have a Tay now?" one student muttered under their breath.
"Maybe he secretly bonded with one after all," someone else speculated, eyes wide with intrigue.
Sarah, who sat near the front of the room, looked back at Alex with narrowed eyes. Her Magic Tay glimmered faintly on her shoulder, clearly sensing her curiosity and suspicion.
Even Aristotle, who had been lounging in his seat with an air of boredom, straightened up, casting a sharp glance in Alex's direction. His Morningstar Tay, ever watchful, seemed to mirror its owner's sudden interest.
Mr. Gallen blinked, clearly caught off guard by the request. "Alex," he began carefully, "this test is designed for those who have a Tay. Are you saying… you've bonded with one?"
Alex met his teacher's gaze steadily, not flinching under the weight of everyone's attention. "No," he said simply. "I don't have a Tay. But I've been training, and I want to see where I stand."
The shock in the room deepened. A few students stifled gasps, while others whispered even more fiercely.
"Is he serious?" Sarah's friend whispered. "What does he think he can do without a Tay?"
Mr. Gallen paused, clearly considering Alex's request. Finally, he nodded. "Very well. If you want to participate, you're welcome to join. But understand that this test will be focused on Tay abilities, and the challenges will be tough. Without a Tay, it may be difficult for you."
"I understand," Alex replied calmly.
Mr. Gallen gave him a slight nod. "Alright then, Alex. You're in."
The whispers grew louder as the class buzzed with excitement and confusion. Some students couldn't believe what they were hearing. A few even snickered, thinking Alex had no chance against them.
But others… others were watching him carefully, wondering if there was more to Alex than they had realized. After all, he had returned to school a completely different person. Maybe he had a secret—maybe he was hiding a Tay after all.
Alex, for his part, remained unfazed by the attention. He wasn't interested in proving himself to his classmates. This was for him, a test of his own strength and discipline. If he could hold his own against those who had bonded with Tay, then he knew his training had been worth it.
As the rest of the class returned to their usual chatter, Alex's thoughts focused on tomorrow. It was time to see just how far he had come—and he was ready for whatever the test would bring.
The next day arrived with a tension that hung thick in the air. Students gathered in the training grounds, excitement and nerves buzzing through the crowd. Today was the day of the test, and everyone was eager to prove their worth—especially those who had bonded with a powerful Tay.
Alex stood among them, his face calm, his heart steady. His transformation over the past month had given him confidence, but he knew this test wouldn't be easy. He had no Tay, no magical abilities, and no special bond to rely on. It would all come down to his training, his raw physical ability, and the discipline he had built.
The instructors called out the different categories of the test, starting with Magic.
One by one, students stepped forward, their Tay flickering to life beside them, channeling their abilities. Sarah's Magic Tay glimmered with light as she cast an impressive series of spells, earning cheers from her friends. Aristotle followed, his Morningstar Tay crackling with energy as he unleashed a powerful magic wave, earning him a high score.
Then, it was Alex's turn. He stepped forward, knowing what the outcome would be, but still determined to see it through. He closed his eyes, focused, and… nothing happened. There was no Tay to channel magic from, no energy to pull from within. The score flashed on the screen: Zero.
A few snickers rose from the crowd, but Alex ignored them. This wasn't a surprise—he had never expected to score in this category. He stepped back, waiting for the next test.
Next came the Affinity Test, which measured a student's natural compatibility with various elements. As students lined up, their Tay helped reveal their elemental alignments—some with fire, others with wind, water, or earth.
When it was Alex's turn, he placed his hand on the affinity orb. It remained dull, no element responding to him. Again, the result was what he had anticipated: Zero affinity. The whispers grew louder, but Alex remained unfazed.
The third test was Strength, and this was where Alex knew he could shine. One by one, the students were tested on their physical strength. Aristotle, who had always prided himself on his physical prowess, flexed his muscles and pushed the weights with ease. He earned high marks, but then it was Alex's turn.
Alex stepped forward, focusing all his training, discipline, and determination into this moment. He gripped the weights, his muscles rippling under his skin as he lifted far more than any of his classmates had managed. The crowd fell silent, astonished as the numbers flashed on the screen: Alex had surpassed everyone. First place.
Whispers broke out again, but this time, they were full of awe and surprise. Even Aristotle glanced at Alex with a mixture of shock and begrudging respect.
Next was the Speed Test. Students took turns racing across the field, their Tay often enhancing their movements. Alex didn't have that luxury, but his body had become swift and agile after weeks of training. He shot forward when it was his turn, his legs pumping with controlled force. Though he couldn't match the top speeds of the Tay-enhanced students, he still took an impressive third place.
The Endurance Test followed, pushing each student to their limits as they ran, climbed, and performed long-duration exercises. Alex's training had made him resilient, but without a Tay to keep him going, he couldn't maintain the same stamina as others. He finished in eighth place respectable, but not his best showing.
Finally came the Defense Test, where students were pitted against defensive obstacles and simulated attacks. While Tay-users had the advantage of magical barriers or enhanced reflexes, Alex relied on his instincts and sheer physical endurance. He dodged, blocked, and deflected with surprising skill, finishing in second place, just behind Aristotle.
As the final results were tallied, the students gathered in the courtyard, buzzing with energy.
Though Alex had scored zero in magic and affinity, his performance in the physical tests had earned him respect. No one had expected the boy who had been rejected by the Tay to place so high in strength, speed, and defense. Even the whispers had changed now, instead of mockery, there was awe.
Alex stood quietly, his body relaxed but his mind sharp. He had proven something to himself today. He wasn't weak, not by any measure. He may not have a Tay, but he had his own strength and that was enough.
For now.