After the tests concluded, the students were dismissed to return to their regular schedule, but the excitement still lingered in the air. Some were celebrating their scores, while others brooded over their performances. Alex, however, quietly gathered his things, preparing to leave for the day, content with how far he had come.
As he was about to step out of the school grounds, a tall man in a sharp, dark uniform approached him. He had an air of authority about him, his presence commanding attention even in the bustling crowd of students. Alex recognized the crest on the man's chest immediately the emblem of Tay Academy, the most prestigious school in the region for those with Tay.
"Alex, isn't it?" the man said, his voice calm yet firm.
Alex nodded, unsure of why someone from Tay Academy would want to speak with him. "Yes, sir," he replied, standing a little straighter.
The man smiled, extending his hand. "I'm Professor Alaric, one of the supervisors at Tay Academy. I reviewed your performance in today's test."
Alex shook his hand, still puzzled. "But… I didn't do that well in the magic or affinity tests," he said honestly, wondering what the professor could want with someone like him.
Professor Alaric chuckled softly. "Magic and affinity aren't everything, Alex. What you've demonstrated in strength, speed, and defense shows an exceptional level of discipline and physical talent. Most students rely heavily on their Tay, but you… you've managed to excel without one. That's no small feat."
Alex blinked, surprised by the praise. He hadn't expected anyone to notice, let alone someone from Tay Academy.
"We at Tay Academy value raw talent and potential," Alaric continued. "And I believe you have both. With proper training and guidance, you could become someone truly remarkable, even without a Tay."
As Alaric spoke, several students nearby began to notice the conversation. Whispers started spreading through the group. Sarah and Aristotle, standing off to the side with their friends, watched with narrowed eyes, clearly envious. They had been the stars of the test, or so they thought. Yet here was Alex, the boy who had been rejected by a Tay, catching the attention of one of the most prestigious academies.
The professor reached into his coat and pulled out a small, ornate card embossed with gold. He handed it to Alex, whose fingers trembled slightly as he took it.
"This is an invitation," Alaric said. "A full scholarship to Tay Academy. I believe with your talent, you'll be able to achieve great things."
The murmurs grew louder as students around them stared in disbelief. Alex had been offered something that even many with Tay could only dream of—an opportunity to study at the most elite school in the land. It was almost unheard of for someone without a Tay to be invited, let alone with a scholarship.
Alex looked down at the card, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. This was an incredible opportunity, one that could change everything for him. But then he thought of his grandmother, who had always been his rock, the one person who believed in him when no one else did.
"I… I need to speak to my grandmother first," Alex said, meeting Professor Alaric's eyes. "She's done a lot for me, and I need her blessing before I accept."
Alaric smiled warmly, nodding in understanding. "Of course. Take your time. This offer stands, Alex. Just let me know when you're ready."
With that, Professor Alaric gave Alex a respectful nod and turned to leave, leaving the scholarship card in Alex's hand.
As Alex stood there, the weight of the moment sinking in, he could feel the eyes of his classmates on him. There was envy, jealousy, and even a hint of respect in their gazes. But none of it mattered to Alex. He had a decision to make—one that could change his future forever.
As he made his way home, the card clutched tightly in his hand, Alex's thoughts raced. His grandmother had always believed in his potential, and now, someone else did too. But could he truly leave behind everything he knew and step into a world where Tay ruled, when he had none?
Only time would tell.
When Alex got home, he found his grandmother waiting for him in the kitchen, preparing dinner. The comforting smell of her cooking filled the room, but Alex's mind was focused on the events of the day. He still held the scholarship card in his hand, his thoughts racing.
"Grandma," Alex said, stepping into the kitchen.
His grandmother looked up, her face softening as she saw him. "You're back earlier than I thought. How was school?"
Alex hesitated for a moment, then he walked over to the table and sat down. "Something happened today," he began, laying the card down on the table. His grandmother stopped what she was doing, her attention now fully on him.
He took a deep breath and explained everything—about the test, about how he had performed despite not having a Tay, and about Professor Alaric offering him a scholarship to Tay Academy. Throughout his explanation, his grandmother listened carefully, her expression thoughtful but calm.
When he finished, she sat down across from him, her eyes filled with a mix of pride and something else—something more serious.
"I knew this day would come," she said softly. "I'm so proud of you, Alex. You've shown everyone your strength. But I need you to be careful now."
Alex frowned, confused. "Careful? Why?"
His grandmother looked down for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts. Then she met his eyes again, her expression more serious than he had ever seen it.
"There's something you need to know, Alex. A secret that only your father and I have kept. It's about why no Tay came near you at the Selection Ceremony… and why you've always felt different."
Alex's heart began to race. He had always wondered about why the Tay had rejected him, why he had felt so out of place during the ceremony. He leaned forward, hanging on his grandmother's every word.
"When you were just a baby," his grandmother began, "your father bonded you with a Tay. But not just any Tay… a Shadow Orb egg. The Shadow Orb is one of the most powerful and rare Tay in existence, a royal Tay. It's not just any creature, Alex. It's a king among Tay, and it doesn't follow the rules of others."
Alex's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean? I was bonded with a Tay? But… why didn't it hatch? Why haven't I felt anything?"
His grandmother sighed, her eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and love. "The Shadow Orb takes time to hatch. Twelve years, to be exact. Your father knew this when he bonded you with it, and that's why none of the other Tay came near you during the Selection. They could sense the presence of a royal Tay within you, even if it hasn't hatched yet."
Alex sat back in his chair, the weight of the revelation crashing down on him. "So… I've had a Tay all this time? A Shadow Orb?"
His grandmother nodded. "Yes. It's been lying dormant inside you, waiting for the right time to hatch. Your father believed that the Shadow Orb would give you the strength to protect yourself in this dangerous world, but he knew it wouldn't be easy. That's why I've been training you, helping you prepare. Even if you haven't realized it, all of this has been leading up to the moment when your Tay hatches."
Alex's mind was spinning. Everything he had been through, all the mockery, the rejection at the Selection—it all suddenly made sense. He hadn't been rejected because he was weak or unworthy. He had been bonded to something far more powerful than anyone could have imagined.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Alex asked, his voice soft, still trying to process it all.
His grandmother reached across the table and took his hand. "We didn't want to burden you with this knowledge before you were ready. You had to grow into your own strength first. But now, with this offer from Tay Academy… things are going to change. You'll need to be prepared for what's to come."
Alex looked down at the scholarship card again, his thoughts swirling. A royal Tay. He had been carrying this immense power inside him all along, and soon it would awaken. The idea was overwhelming, but at the same time, he felt a surge of excitement.
"I'll go," he said finally, his voice filled with determination. "I'll go to Tay Academy. But not just for me. I want to honor Dad's legacy. I want to prove that I'm worthy of the Shadow Orb."
His grandmother smiled softly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I know you will, Alex. But remember, you're walking a path that will be difficult. The moment your Tay hatches, you'll have enemies people who will want to use you, or destroy you, because of what you carry. Be strong, but be wise."
Alex nodded, the weight of her words sinking in. "I'll be careful, Grandma. I promise."
She stood and kissed his forehead. "That's my boy."
As Alex went to bed that night, his mind raced with thoughts of what was to come. The Shadow Orb, Tay Academy, his father's legacy it was all coming together. And soon, he would face the greatest challenge of his life.
But he was ready.