Amara stood in the center with glowing eyes.
"Stop this! Both of you!" she yelled.
Her Summoner glyph shimmered above her raised palm.
Victor stumbled back, breathing steadily.
Derek glared but didn't move.
Amara turned toward Victor. "I told you this was a mistake. Stay away from me."
Victor opened his mouth but no words came.
She didn't wait a second more.
She turned and walked away with Derek as the summoned beast faded into light while they exited.
Victor stood alone.
The crowd parted. Murmurs echoed. A few instructors were rushing in from the distance.
Victor lowered his gaze and turned away, ignoring the stares, the whispers, the judgement.
He walked back to his dorm like a ghost.
Back in his room, he closed the door and leaned against it.
Everything he'd hoped for had exploded in front of him. And now the entire Academy would be talking about it.
He stared at the ceiling.
"Good job, idiot," he muttered.
A knock came ten minutes later.
