The small farming village of Stonefield buzzed with uneasy excitement. The day everyone awaited—and dreaded—had arrived: Elite Recruitment Day. For 14-year-old Lina Farrow, it felt like the world itself held its breath.
Lina leaned against the wooden fence of her family's struggling farm, watching the sun rise over fields that would never yield enough to pay off her mother's debts. Her younger brother, Eli, sat on the porch, coughing softly into a rag. His pale face made Lina's chest ache.
"Today's the day, Lina," Eli said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're gonna do it. You're gonna become an Elite."
Lina forced a smile. She had to believe it—if not for herself, then for him. "Of course I will," she said, gripping the splintered fence post. "I'll come back with powers so strong that no one will ever push us around again."
Her mother appeared from the tiny cottage, wiping her hands on her apron. The lines on her face told stories of endless toil and sleepless nights. "Lina, you should get going. You don't want to be late."
Lina hesitated. She wanted to say something reassuring, to promise she'd succeed. Instead, she nodded, slinging her worn satchel over her shoulder. Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever happens, remember—we're proud of you."
The village square was packed with nervous families and hopeful students. A towering stage dominated the space, where a group of Elite Academy officials stood in gleaming uniforms, radiating confidence and power. Each of them had awakened their magical affinity years ago, and their presence filled the air with an almost oppressive energy.
The recruiter, a stern woman with piercing eyes, stepped forward and raised her hand for silence. "Today, you will receive the injection that may awaken your magic affinity. Remember, only a few among you will succeed. Those who do will bring honor to their families and serve the Golden Dragon Nation as Elites. The rest will return to their lives, unchanged."
Lina clenched her fists. The recruiter's words weren't meant to be cruel, but they stung nonetheless.
The injections began. One by one, students stepped forward, their faces pale with anxiety. Some screamed, their bodies reacting violently to the surge of magic. Others stood silently, their fates sealed when nothing happened.
Then came the successes. A girl screamed as flames erupted from her hands. A boy laughed hysterically, conjuring a whirlwind of air around himself. The crowd cheered, celebrating these new Elites.
Finally, Lina's name was called.
Lina's heart pounded as she climbed the steps to the stage. She felt the weight of every eye on her. The injector—a sleek, metallic device—gleamed in the recruiter's hand.
"This may hurt," the recruiter said, her tone clinical. Lina barely heard her over the rush of blood in her ears.
The needle pierced her skin. A burning sensation spread through her veins, and for a moment, Lina thought her heart might explode. She clenched her teeth, refusing to scream.
And then… nothing.
The recruiter's cold voice shattered the silence. "No reaction. Step down."
Humiliation washed over Lina as murmurs rippled through the crowd. She stumbled off the stage, her legs shaky. She didn't feel like crying. She felt… empty.
As the ceremony continued, Lina slipped away, retreating to the outskirts of the village. She found herself in the forest, her breath ragged. She pressed a hand against a tree for support. "Why? Why couldn't I—"
A faint chirping interrupted her thoughts. Turning, Lina spotted a tiny, injured bird on the ground. Its feathers shimmered faintly, as though holding a trace of magic.
Kneeling, she gently cupped the bird in her hands. "What happened to you, little guy?"
A strange warmth filled her chest, and before she realized it, a soft golden glow surrounded her hands. The bird's wounds closed, and it fluttered its wings weakly, chirping in gratitude.
Lina stared, wide-eyed. "What… was that?"
The bird hopped closer, tilting its head as if trying to communicate. Lina felt a strange connection—a pull, almost like a voice in her mind.
For the first time since stepping onto the stage, hope flickered in Lina's heart.