Professor Lirael's announcement hung heavy in the air, lingering long after she exited the room. "The list of those who passed the test and qualify for the baptism ceremony will be posted by the end of the week," she had said, her voice steady and unyielding.
For a moment, silence filled the space, an unspoken tension rippling among the students. Then Rael's sneering voice cut through the quiet, his words dripping with disdain as he aimed his gaze at Kayden.
"Imagine," Rael murmured, his tone laced with malice, "a Taril who didn't even make it to baptism. What a disgrace."
The words sliced into Kayden, sharper than any beast's claw. He felt his jaw tighten, resisting the urge to respond. Rael's taunt wasn't just about a failed test—it struck at his very identity, his heritage. As a Taril, a name synonymous with taming prowess, this failure was more than just a personal setback; it was public shame, a stain on his family's legacy. His dream of baptism, of proving himself worthy of his own path, now felt shattered, his hard-won progress reduced to dust.
As Rael's words sank in, an uncomfortable silence settled between Kayden and Brielle. Her gentle voice was the first to pierce through it.
"Hey," she called softly, her gaze kind, trying to catch his eyes. "Don't let Rael get to you. For all you know, failing could be a blessing in disguise."
Kayden clenched his jaw, his hands balling into fists as he avoided her gaze. "Not everything has a silver lining, Brielle."
Brielle's smile faltered, though she tried to keep her tone light. "We're in this together, you know? I didn't tame a beast either." She tilted her head, offering him a gentle, reassuring smile.
"It's different," he muttered, his voice hardening, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
She blinked, her brows knitting in concern. "How so? Why should it be any different?"
Kayden's frustration, held back all day, surged forward, spilling into his voice. "Because, Brielle, you were never expected to tame a beast! No one's sitting around wondering if you'll be a failure to your family, questioning if you'll shame generations of Tamers who came before you."
Brielle's expression shifted, hurt and confusion flashing across her face. "What's that supposed to mean? Just because I don't have a family legacy doesn't mean my failures don't matter."
"That's not what I meant," Kayden replied, his tone sharp. "But it's easy for you. No one's waiting to remind you that you fell short. They're just… disappointed and move on. For me, it's a mark. Everyone will know that a Taril couldn't do it."
Brielle frowned, her lips pressed tightly together. She tried to keep her voice steady, though a hint of anger seeped through. "Just because I don't have that same pressure doesn't mean my failures are less than yours. This meant something to me too, Kayden! I thought you'd understand."
"You can't understand," he muttered, bitterness creeping into his tone. "No one will look at you differently tomorrow. They'll just pat you on the shoulder, tell you 'better luck next time.' For me, this is the start of a long line of expectations I'll never meet. And everyone's going to know that."
Brielle's face twisted with hurt, her voice trembling. "So, what? I don't deserve sympathy because I'm not burdened by a family name? Or am I just a convenient target because you're angry with yourself?"
Kayden opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. Her words struck deeper than he'd expected, forcing him to confront the harsh truth she'd laid bare. His frustration wasn't just with her—it was with himself, his failure, and everything he thought he was supposed to represent.
"I… I didn't mean it like that," he murmured, but the apology felt hollow even to his own ears.
Brielle shook her head, a mix of disappointment and sadness clouding her face. "Maybe you should think about what you do mean before you take it out on the people who care about you."
And with that, she turned on her heel, leaving him standing there, guilt and frustration churning in his gut as her words echoed in his mind.
Another thing he'd ruined today.
When the class finally dispersed, Kayden lingered behind, numb to the whispers and sidelong glances of his peers. The corridors of Pavilion Academy felt stifling, as if the walls themselves knew of his failure. He could already imagine the news spreading, reaching his family with lightning speed. Images of his parents' reactions filled his mind—disappointment, anger, or worse: a resigned acceptance of his "limits."
Seeking escape, he found himself at the academy's edge, beyond the neatly kept grounds and well-lit corridors. Just beyond the boundary markers lay a dense forest, a place few students ventured alone, especially those who hadn't undergone baptism. Yet something stirred within him—a need to prove himself, to defy the constraints imposed upon him.
Compelled by an urge he didn't fully understand, he slipped past the markers and into the thick shadows of the forest. Silence surrounded him, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant call of a night bird. He moved forward, feeling the weight of the night settle around him, every sense alive with a mix of fear and resolve.
In his mind, he traced his rune, sharpening its lines and refining its curves. This symbol embodied his spirit and his will—both of which felt fractured today. But out here, beyond the scorn and expectations, he sensed a flicker of determination reigniting within him. He didn't need his classmates' validation or even his family's approval. This test was his alone.
Deeper into the forest, he sensed a presence. A pair of eyes glimmered from the shadows, watching him with a piercing intensity. His breath caught; this was no Sprightly Fox. This creature radiated something ancient, something untamed and powerful.
Kayden knelt slowly, pressing his hand into the damp earth. He traced his rune with precision, channeling every ounce of his resolve into each line, silently calling out to the creature before him.
The beast's gaze softened, its curiosity overtaking its caution. It took a step closer. For the first time that day, a spark of hope ignited in Kayden's heart. Here, away from prying eyes and crushing expectations, he felt free—free to be himself, to forge his own path. And as the beast drew near, he dared to hope that it might see his spirit as he did, undiminished and resolute.