When Aiden and Julian stepped into the dining hall, the first thing Aiden noticed was the way eyes seemed to follow him across the room. Students turned their heads, conversations paused mid-sentence, and fingers subtly pointed in his direction. Whispers floated through the air like faint currents of wind. At first, Aiden braced himself for the usual sharp glances filled with disdain, but this time something felt different. Instead of hostility, he saw curiosity flickering in their eyes.
It didn't take a genius, or any sort of magic, for Aiden to understand why. The results of the testing earlier in the day must have spread like wildfire through the school by now. His name, his abilities, his unexpected potential—none of it was a secret anymore. Clearly, every student in the dining hall had heard the story.
