It was finally Julian's turn.
He rose from his seat a little stiffly, his shoulders tense. Even from the side, Aiden could see the way his friend's hand trembled slightly. Before Julian could take a step, Axel reached over and clasped his hand firmly.
"It's fine," Axel said in a warm, steady tone. "You'll be alright. I'll be cheering for you from here. There's nothing to be afraid of."
Julian's eyes softened, and he gave a grateful nod before turning toward Aiden. "Thank you so much. I appreciate it."
Aiden smiled back. "We're friends, remember? Calming you down when you're nervous is part of the job."
That made Julian chuckle, the tension in his face easing for just a moment. "Right. Friends."
He walked toward the front, his steps careful but purposeful. Aiden watched him reach the line of teachers and the glowing globe at the center. Julian let out a quiet sigh, the kind that came from deep in the chest, and reached for one of the silver needles neatly stacked on the tray.
He did what every student before him had done — a quick prick to his finger, a single bead of blood falling onto the globe.
Aiden leaned forward in his seat, his hands clasped tightly. His lips moved almost without thinking. "Please, God… let Julian have a high potential."
It was as if his words had been heard.
The red portion of the globe — the part that signified the witch race — lit up in a brilliant, searing glow. The brightness matched the intensity of the Fae girl's earlier reading, a clear sign of high potential.
Aiden's heart leapt. He shot to his feet before he could stop himself. "Yes! Yes! That's my friend right there!" His voice carried through the hall, and in the sudden silence that followed, he realized every single person was staring at him.
Flushing, he dropped back into his seat and tried to focus on Julian again.
Julian had seen it all, the shout, the unrestrained excitement , and his own smile widened. He lifted his hand in a quick wave, and Aiden responded with a thumbs-up.
At the front, Miss Flecine's usually composed expression had brightened. She didn't shout like the other instructors often did, but there was no mistaking her joy. Her eyes were warm as she looked at Julian.
"Well done," she said, her voice carrying clearly across the room. Then, for everyone's benefit, she announced, "Race: Witch. High potential." She turned back to him. "I have only two pieces of advice for you. First, be smart. Second, work hard. Congratulations."
Julian nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Miss. I will work hard."
She gave a single approving nod, and he began the walk back to his seat.
Aiden was grinning so much his cheeks hurt. "I told you you could do it, didn't I?"
Julian slid back into his chair, still smiling. "You did. Thank you for believing in me. Now…" His expression shifted slightly. "It's your turn."
The words landed heavier than Aiden expected. He had been so focused on cheering for Julian that he had completely forgotten he was next.
His stomach tightened. "What should I do? I don't even know what kind of result I want," he admitted, his voice low.
Julian reached over and squeezed his hand, mirroring the way Aiden had steadied him earlier. "It's okay, Aiden. You can do it. I don't believe you'll be leaving Skyline Academy. I have a feeling you'll be here for a long time. So just go for it."
"That's the problem," Aiden muttered. "I'm not sure if I want to stay here… or leave."
Julian rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. "Regardless, you still have to get tested to find out. So why not just get it done and over with?"
Aiden let out a breath. "You're right. You're right."
He stood and began the walk toward the center of the hall.
The moment he stepped into the aisle, he could feel eyes on him. Students watched openly as he passed — some with puzzled expressions, others pointing or whispering to their neighbors.
Aiden chose to ignore them, keeping his gaze ahead.
When he reached the front, he noticed Miss Flecine's eyes widen slightly. She didn't say anything, but he understood the reason instantly. She had caught his scent. Humans had a distinctive smell, and in a place like this, it was impossible to miss.
It didn't matter.
He steadied his breathing, reached for a needle, and gave his finger a small prick. A single drop of blood fell onto the globe.