As they walked out of the office together, Aelar cast one last glance at his repaired handiwork, a small smile playing on his lips. This place is going to be interesting, he thought, following his unusual new teacher down the hallway toward whatever challenges awaited him at the Iron Hedge Academy.
Aelar stood just outside the heavy wooden door, his fingers twitching nervously at his side. The stone corridor was cold, but his chest felt warm with something unfamiliar—a mixture of fear and excitement that made his heart race.
Through the narrow glass window in the door, he could see them—students. Dozens of them. Boys and girls, all different, all new. Some leaned forward eagerly. Others slouched, looking bored or tired. Not a single face was familiar, but that only made Aelar's curiosity stronger.
Sol had given him clear instructions. With his short dark hair tied back with a leather cord, trimmed beard, and sharp, tired eyes that seemed to have witnessed more than they revealed, the instructor cut an imposing figure in his plain dark blue coat with silver buttons.
"Wait here until I call for you," Sol had said, his voice carrying the weight of authority tempered with unexpected kindness. "First impressions matter, especially in a place like this."
So Aelar waited, shifting his weight from foot to foot, trying to remember everything he'd learned about proper etiquette. Through the glass, he could see Sol commanding the room without effort. Soon, his name would be called, and when it was, there would be no turning back.
"Attention, everyone," Sol announced, his voice cutting through the murmur of conversation like a blade. "We have someone joining our ranks today."
The classroom fell silent as every head turned toward the door.
"Enter," Sol called, and Aelar felt the command in his bones.
Aelar stepped through the doorway with measured steps, feeling dozens of eyes assessing him, measuring him, already forming judgments.
"This is Aelar," Sol said, placing a firm hand on the boy's shoulder. His grip was steady, almost reassuring. "He's demonstrated unusual aptitude, despite his... unconventional background."
A few curious whispers rippled through the room.
Sol's eyebrow arched slightly. "I trust you'll all make him feel welcome." The statement carried the unmistakable edge of a command.
"As you wish, Master Sol," the class responded in unison, their voices creating a harmony that spoke of long practice.
"Good." Sol nodded, the ghost of satisfaction flickering across his face. "Aelar, take your place with the others."
"Thank you, Master Sol," Aelar replied, making his way to an empty seat, acutely aware of the hierarchy he was entering.
Once Aelar was seated, Sol moved to the center of the room. "Roll call," he announced simply, unfurling a parchment with practiced precision.
"Thorne Valric!"
A tall boy with ice-blue eyes rose in one fluid motion. "Present, Master Sol." His voice carried the confidence of old nobility.
"Darian Crestfall!"
A boy with tousled hair and a barely contained energy jumped to his feet. "Ready and willing, Master Sol!" His grin suggested a familiarity with reprimands.
"Save your enthusiasm for your studies, Crestfall," Sol remarked dryly. "Kaelric Dorne!"
A boy with meticulously groomed blonde hair stood, his posture militaristically perfect. "Present and prepared, Master Sol."
"Riven Blackmoor!"
From the shadows of the back row, a dark-haired boy raised his hand lazily. "Here," he muttered, not bothering to stand.
Sol's gaze lingered on him for a moment before moving on. "Lana Rodel!"
A girl with bright, intelligent eyes stood gracefully. "Present, Master Sol." She offered Aelar a small, encouraging smile.
"Sylra Fenwyn!"
Rising like royalty, a tall girl with sharp features answered, "Present, Master Sol." Her eyes assessed Aelar with calculating interest.
"Elowen Mirell!"
With hesitant movements, a girl with soft brown hair stood. "P-present, Master Sol," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
"Speak up, Mirell. Confidence is as crucial as competence," Sol reminded her, not unkindly.
She straightened slightly. "Present, Master Sol," she repeated, stronger this time.
"Nyra Vexen!"
A girl with wiry strength and fierce determination in her eyes stood with athletic precision. "Ready for action, Master Sol." There was an unmistakable challenge in her voice.
"The training yard will welcome your energy later, Vexen," Sol replied with the hint of a smile. "Maelis Thornwyn!"
The final girl rose with fluid grace, her calm demeanor suggesting depths of patience. "Present and attentive, Master Sol."
Sol rolled the parchment closed with a satisfied nod. "Very good." His expression grew solemn as he surveyed the room. "Before we continue, there's something I must impress upon all of you—especially our newest member."
He moved to the center of the room, his steps deliberate, his presence commanding absolute attention.
"The Iron Hedge Academy exists for a purpose that predates everyone in this room. You are here not just to learn, but to inherit a legacy that began centuries ago." Sol's voice dropped to a near whisper, forcing everyone to lean forward. "Before we start today's lessons, I would like to tell you a story—a true story—about a hero who fought a demon one-on-one."
A collective intake of breath swept through the room. Even Riven Blackmoor straightened in his seat, suddenly attentive.
"Most of you have heard tales of demons," Sol continued, rolling up his left sleeve to reveal a jagged scar that ran from wrist to elbow, its edges blackened as if burned. "But few understand how truly... terrifying they are."
Aelar watched as Sol's eyes seemed to look beyond the classroom walls, into a memory that made even this formidable man's voice falter.
"The hero of our story wasn't born special. He had no prophecy. No destiny. He was simply in the wrong place at the right time. And what he witnessed—what he faced—" Sol paused, his scar seeming to pulse with an unnatural light, "—is what each of you must be prepared for."
Lana Rodel's hand shot up, but Sol shook his head.
"No questions. Not yet. First, you need to understand exactly what's at stake. What we're truly fighting against." His eyes met Aelar's for a brief, intense moment. "And why some secrets are worth dying to protect."
The room fell into such profound silence that Aelar could hear his own heartbeat. Whatever came next, he knew with absolute certainty that his life at the Iron Hedge Academy would never be what he expected.