Chapter 357: Numbers, Teeth, and the Shape of Fate
For a moment after Garron's words settled, no one moved.
Then the first trainee stepped forward.
The platform creaked softly beneath boots as the process began. One by one, trainees approached the raised platform, slipped a hand into the wooden box, fingers brushing against smooth tokens, fate reduced to carved numbers and chance.
They withdrew their hands, raised the tokens, and the murmurs began.
Sophia stood still, hands clasped behind her back, heart thudding a little harder with each number called.
Nia was the first in their group to pick; she had been standing beside Sophia in a different line after all.
She turned back briefly, eyes bright despite the tension, and Sophia leaned forward just enough to catch her attention before she left.
"Good luck," Sophia whispered.
Nia grinned. "You too."
She climbed the platform and reached into the box, hesitated for a breath, then pulled out a token and lifted it high.
