“What did she tell you?” Dorian asked under his breath, only for Lona, one of their classmates who usually wanted nothing more than to share some juicy gossip, to shake her head and hurry away. Orion groaned, thunking his head against the stone wall. Sitting next to him on the wooden bench were the few remaining students who had yet to attend the counseling session. This was technically supposed to be a formality. They were still young, and they would have another chance to change their fate at level fifty if they truly wanted to. Some, like Orion, were already over halfway there, while others would need their entire time as students to reach tier two status. Today was intended to help them refine their lesson plans to capitalize on their strengths. In less polite terms, it would determine their future within the Sanctum. It’s not a death sentence, but it’s the closest thing. If your class doesn’t let you advance in the core subjects, you might as well leave now. No one was taking that lightly. Even Orion, who liked to think himself above such childish troubles, felt some anxiety, and it was all he could do to keep his knees from bouncing. Once Lona disappeared down the corridor, Madame Jaime’s voice came from the room, “Dorian, please come in and close the door behind you.” The boy jumped up, as tense as a bowstring. His eyes flitted to Orion’s, who tried to smile encouragingly, and he set his jaw. (...)