Dawn came gray and subdued to Velmont, with clouds hanging low enough to brush the academy's highest spires.
Alaric stood in the academy's main courtyard, hands buried deep in his pockets as he surveyed the growing crowd.
The space could easily hold a thousand people. But today it felt smaller, compressed by the sheer weight of anticipation that radiated from every candidate present.
Beside him, Elina maintained her carefully controlled posture.
Her golden eyes moved constantly across the crowd.
"Nervous?" Alaric asked quietly.
"No." The word came too quickly, too sharp.
"Of course not." He shifted his weight, studying the raised platform where academy faculty were beginning to gather.
"Just making conversation."
She shot him a sideways glance, but before she could respond, movement near the main gates drew their attention.
More candidates were arriving, some alone, others accompanied by family members whose faces bore mixtures of pride and worry.
