Aiden returned to the dormitory, his head buzzing with thoughts from his meeting with Headmaster Kairos. The conversation had been cryptic, a mix of veiled warnings and subtle reassurances.
Something about it left Aiden uneasy, like a storm brewing on the horizon, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there must have been clues along the way on why Headmaster Kairos wouldn't tell him everything.
As he approached the door to his room, he heard muffled voices- heated and tense. His hand hesitated on the doorknob, but he shook his head and pushed it open.
What he walked into was chaos.
Adrian was mid-swing, his fist aimed directly at Sevan, who stood on the other side of the room with his hands raised. A shimmering shield of water rippled in front of him, catching the punch just in time. Droplets sprayed across the floor as Adrian cursed and pulled his hand back, glaring daggers at Sevan.
"What the hell is going on?" Aiden demanded, his voice sharp as he stepped inside.
Adrian turned to him, his eyes blazing. "Ask him," he spat, jabbing a finger at Sevan. "Our so-called friend is a spy."
Sevan let out an exasperated sigh, his hands still glowing faintly with magic as the water shield dissipated.
"Oh, for the love of- chill out, Adrian! I'm not a spy." He turned his gaze to Aiden and added, "Can you close the door properly before I say anything else?"
Aiden blinked, his pulse quickening. He shut the door with a quiet click, his hand trembling slightly as he let it drop to his side.
"What's going on?" he asked again.
Sevan glanced at Adrian, then back at Aiden, his expression unreadable. "I'll ask you something first," he said carefully, his tone low but steady. "Are you really a Chase?"
Aiden's heart plummeted into his stomach.
The words hit him like a physical blow, and for a moment, the room seemed to tilt.
His breath caught in his throat, and his thoughts spiraled into a panicked mess.
How does he know? Did I do something wrong? Did Adrian say something? Did I slip up?
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Aiden stammered, taking a step back. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and he forced himself to breathe, though it felt like his lungs had turned to stone. "I think you're mistaken-"
Sevan cut him off, his voice calm but firm. "Don't bother denying it. Adrian's reaction just now confirmed my suspicions."
Aiden's gaze darted to Adrian, who looked tense, his jaw tight as if he was holding back from lashing out again.
"I'm not a spy," Sevan continued, his blue eyes steady as they locked onto Aiden's. "But I'm not stupid, either. I've been paying attention, and certain things just... add up."
Aiden's mind raced, the walls of the room seeming to close in on him. His chest tightened, and a wave of nausea washed over him.
This can't be happening. Not now. Not here. Headmaster Kairos specifically told him not to tell anyone.
What if word got out? Would he be left for dead or pushed out of the academy?
Shiloh said he wasn't from here. Does he know too? Now that Aiden thought about it, Shiloh and Sevan knew each other.
He took a shaky step forward, his voice rising in panic. "You don't know what you're talking about!" Flames flickered at his fingertips, as his emotions spiraled out of control. "You-"
Before he could finish, Sevan reacted. Water surged from his hands, dousing the flames before they could spread. The cool mist hit Aiden's skin, jolting him back to reality. He then put his hands on Aiden's shoulders.
"Calm down, Aiden" Sevan said. "I'm not here to expose you. I'm just asking."
Aiden's knees almost buckled, but he caught himself, his breathing shallow and erratic. He pressed a hand to his chest, trying to steady his heart, which felt like it was about to explode.
"Sevan," Adrian growled, stepping closer towards the both of them, "you're pushing him too far."
Sevan sighed, dropping his hands and letting the last traces of his water magic fade. "Look, I get it. You're scared. You think I'm going to run off and tell someone. But I'm not."
Aiden's throat felt dry as sandpaper, and he managed to croak out, "Why are you even asking?"
Aiden looked like he was a mess. His eyes were watery and there was a sheen of sweat on his forehead. His lips were slightly trembling.
Sevan hesitated, then shrugged. "Because I'm curious. And because I've never met someone like you before."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Adrian snapped, his stance protective as he edged closer to Aiden.
Sevan raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble. I just noticed the way Aiden acts sometimes- like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. No kid should be like that. What he needs is someone who understands him. And then there's his magic. It's... not the magic aura of a fifteen year-old. His magic is uncontrolled like it just magically appeared."
Aiden forced himself to take a deep breath, though it felt like his chest was filled with shards of glass. "You're not going to say anything?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sevan shook his head. "No. It's none of my business. Besides, I like you guys. I'm not about to ruin that by being an... arse."
Adrian narrowed his eyes, still suspicious. "How do we know you're not lying? For all we know, you're playing the long game."
Sevan rolled his eyes. "Because if I was a spy, do you really think I'd be this upfront about it? Give me some credit."
Aiden let out a shaky breath, the tension in his body easing slightly. He still didn't trust Sevan entirely, but there was something in his tone-earnest, almost gentle- that made it hard to believe he had malicious intent.
"Why did you have to ask?" Aiden muttered, running a hand through his hair. "You could've just... let it go."
Sevan smiled faintly. "Because I wanted to know. And because it's better to have these things out in the open with me and so I can help you with what you're dealing with. Being a Chase and a Magi probably comes with a lot of baggage."
Adrian crossed his arms, still standing protectively beside Aiden. "You're awfully nosy for someone who claims not to be a spy."
Sevan shrugged again, his easygoing demeanor returning. "What can I say? I'm a curious guy. But seriously, you don't have to worry about me. Your secret's safe."
Aiden didn't respond immediately, his mind still spinning. He felt raw, exposed, like someone had peeled back all his defenses and left him vulnerable.
Finally, he nodded, though it was a small, uncertain gesture. "Okay," he said quietly. "But if you breathe a word of this to anyone..."
"You'll roast me alive?" Sevan finished.
Aiden didn't laugh. "I mean it."
"I know. You have my word."
The room fell into a tense silence, the air still thick with unspoken words. Finally, Sevan stepped toward the door, glancing back at Aiden.
"For what it's worth," he said, his voice soft, "I think you're stronger than you realize. And you're pretty cool. Don't let fear control you."
With that, he left the room, leaving Aiden and Adrian alone in the aftermath of the confrontation.
Adrian turned to Aiden, his expression filled with a mix of concern and frustration. "You okay?"
Aiden nodded, though his hands were still trembling. "I don't know. I just... I don't know."
Adrian placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll figure it out. But for now, just breathe. He's not going to do anything. I'll kill the fucker if he snitches on you to Shiloh or whatever. And while we just met him, Sevan isn't really the type for all of that."