owlsbooks Chapter 41: another test
Chapter 41: another test
No matter what Aiden said, Ryker refused to leave him alone. It was as if the wolf had decided that shadowing him was his life’s mission. Aiden tried ignoring him. He tried snapping at him. He even tried walking faster and taking turns randomly in hopes that Ryker would grow bored and wander off. Nothing worked, At that point Aiden even wished that he could just punch Ryker on the face, but he knows that will be courting death, so he just leave Ryker be.They had been walking the halls for several minutes before Ryker finally broke the silence.
"Where did your rainbow bird go, one moment it’s clinging to you and now it’s gone?" Ryker asked casually, as though they were on a friendly stroll.
Aiden snickered under his breath, not bothering to look at him. "It’s none of your business."
Ryker said nothing after that, but the silence wasn’t comforting. His presence pressed at Aiden’s back, an unshakable reminder that he was still there and what Aiden hate the most Is the fact that what he wants to feel for Ryker is only irritation but no because even now some part of him is still feeling good about the fact that Ryker is here with him, so Aiden is putting those feelings off. Aiden tried to focus on the task at hand—finding Miss Flecine’s office—but the building was huge. Four floors, countless hallways, and identical doors stretched endlessly in every direction. He cursed his pride silently. If he had just told Ryker where he wanted to go when Ryker had asked earlier, he could have been standing in front of the office long ago instead of wandering around like a lost child with an audience and he is too prideful to actually ask now.
When he finally spotted the polished brass nameplate that read Flecine Rosewood on one of the doors, he let out a sigh of relief so loud it almost echoed in the empty hall.
"Finally," he muttered to himself, grateful the search was over.
Behind him, Ryker chuckled softly. Aiden turned just enough to shoot him a glare. Ryker was leaning casually against the wall, clearly entertained by Aiden’s little misadventure. Aiden felt his ears burn but refused to say anything.
Turning back to the door, Aiden knocked firmly.
"Come in," came Miss Flecine’s warm, slightly melodic voice from inside.
Aiden twisted the knob and stepped into the spacious office. The sight of shelves lined with spell tomes and ingredients, along with the faint scent of dried herbs, made him feel a little calmer. But before he could even close the door, Ryker followed him in.
Aiden spun around, his brows furrowing. "What are you coming in here for?, it’s not like you have something to say to miss flecine"
Ryker gave a careless shrug, looking entirely at home despite being uninvited. "I also have something to say to Miss Flecine. What, don’t tell me you think you’re the only one allowed to talk to her."
Aiden rolled his eyes so hard it almost hurt. "Fine. If you have something to say, then go first. I’ll step out and come back when you’re done."
But Ryker shook his head, smirking faintly. "No, you go first. I want to see exactly how you’re planning to withdraw from Skyline Academy."
Aiden clenched his jaw and glared at him. Ryker clearly had no intention of leaving, and it wasn’t like Aiden could physically drag him out because Ryker is stronger than him, he can use all the strength he have in his body and he is sure that Ryker wouldn’t have move an inch. So, he turned back toward the desk, deciding to ignore him altogether.
and unlocked it with a wave of her hand. From within, she retrieved a smooth, glowing sphere that pulsed faintly with magic.
"When you broke the original testing globe," she said, carrying it carefully to her desk, "I had to go to the principal to request the for another thing to test the student and the principal provided another testing globe. I didn’t even know another one existed until then. It’s the last testing globe the school has, so we must handle it with care. If you’re still doubting the results, we’ll test you again—but this time, just a drop of blood. We can’t risk breaking this one."
Aiden blinked at the globe, startled. He hadn’t come here expecting to take another test. He had come here to get out of Skyline Academy, not to prove himself all over again.
He hesitated for a moment, considering refusing.
Then Ryker’s low, teasing voice came from behind him. "What’s wrong, Aiden? Are you afraid?"
Aiden stiffened, turning to glare at him. "Afraid? What do I have to be afraid of?"
He straightened, jaw set, and strode toward the globe with new determination, he will just take the test and no matter the result, he is still leaving this godforsaken school.