The sun had barely begun to peek from behind the moon as Maxym trudged up the path toward the archway that would teleport them to the portal hub. His feet stirred up clouds of dry dirt that could be seen in hazy sunbeams that the canopy of ancient trees cast upon the forest floor, a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach with each step. It had been over a year since they last walked this path, and the memories of their year pantomiming intimacy hung heavy in the air between them. Beneath Maxym's apprehension, his heart couldn't help but swell with anticipation. Cloe walked alongside him, her strawberry blonde hair escaping its usual messy bun to frame her kind, hazel eyes with worry. “You know what to do if he shows up?”

Maxym nodded, rolling his eyes.

Ya, you have drilled it into me so many times I couldn't possibly forget. If I see any huge guys with wings frantically running at me I'll prolly wanna flee even if you hadn't made me promise to. You wouldn't even tell me why, just that he is almost certain to be desperate to talk to me and I'm absolutely not allowed to let that happen…

"Maxym," Cloe said, her voice lilting like birdsong, "I know you're worried about today, about kindergarten, but just remember that everyone is unique. Your heritage is part of who you are, and I believe in you."

The wavering yellow sickly green color of the eyes he raised to meet hers put Maxym’s fear and anxiety on full display. He left unsaid his reservations at being unwelcome due to not truly being an [Eladrin], but it was a concern Cloe could easily distill.

She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps you are exactly what Elaeden needs- someone to challenge convention and show them that strength can be found in our differences. I’m sorry you are in a position to pioneer tolerance, but I have every confidence this will be a space you can thrive- despite the bias you'll face from being a part of our little [Taboo] family." With her hand Cloe gently guided him through the portal, walking as quickly as she could manage making appear casual.

Whether through providence, coincidence, or external interference, the relieved duo were able to pass through the hub without any chance encounters or confrontations. Neither had noticed the object of their wariness exercising the one thing Cloe never suspected he could, prudence, and observing them at a distance. He'd deftly concealed himself not with a specialized [Trait] but through the time-honored tradition of children and hunters everywhere, camouflage. Peering through branches and leaves that he had spent the previous night meticulously selecting before haphazardly piling high around him, the [Archon] watched them pass through the arch, quickly make their way to the correct [Mycorrhizal Network] tree, and continue on their way.

Instead of following the paved road towards the city, Cloe stepped out of the fairy ring and took a winding path between the fields of the farming district. Maxym recognized very few of the crops they passed, and he took every chance to try and inspect the unfamiliar plants, continuing his slow work towards unlocking [Analytical]. Sooner than he'd have preferred, the duo found themselves in a region of the city that was barely more tended to than a wild woodland. The city paid a crew of [Dryad] to make sure the area was safe and usable for the populace- akin to a city park- while still interfering as minimally as possible with the ecosystem. This forest was open to any resident or visitor, granted they honor the intent of the land.

The trees ahead of them eventually parted to reveal a vast open field, alive with the sounds of children engaged in various activities. As Maxym and Cloe approached their destination, they were greeted by a cacophony of laughter, shouts, and the rhythmic thud of feet striking the ground. The air was electric with energy, and Maxym felt his pulse quicken along with his rising anticipation. He’d been frustrated with his stalled physical progression and these gatherings had been specifically structured to provide an avenue outside of combat to advance one’s attributes. Maxym watched wide-eyed as young [Eladrin] ran, trained on equipment, leapt over obstacles, and sparred with dummies and each other, each one striving to surpass their own limitations. The longer he watched the more of Maxym's anxiety bubbled over into nausea. An [Androgynous][Eladrin] with spiky, pastel lime-colored hair supervised them, offering encouragement and correcting stances with a wave of their hand.

"Lookit ‘em," Maxym whispered, his voice tinged with awe. "How’m I… Why’re we… What if I cc- c- can't?"

"Of course you can do this," Cloe reassured him. "It won't be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. Just trust yourself, have faith in your ability to achieve that for which you strive, and then all you have to do is try- your father and I will be proud of you no matter what."

Maxym took a deep breath as he tried to find the sensation of leaning into [Resolute] with which he was trying to familiarize himself. The scent of sweat and grass filled his nostrils, grounding him in the moment.

"I'm ready," he said, his voice steady as a mountain stream.

As ready as I'm ever gonna be at least.

Cloe smiled, her eyes glistening like emeralds. "That's the spirit, Maxym. Remember, you are more than our family’s stigma. Just be yourself, and try not to worry what the other kids think. You're here to learn and grow, all on equal footing."

Maxym grimaced, his pointed ears flattening against his skull. Just being himself was the problem. His mother sighed, her gaze softening with understanding. Maxym swallowed hard, his fingers tightening around hers. She gave him one last reassuring smile before guiding him towards the chaos. "Go on. You'll do great."

With a final slow, steadying breath, Maxym squared his shoulders and walked into the lion's den. No one had noticed him, everyone caught up in their goals and competitions.

Maxym shuffled his feet, staring determinedly at the ground.

How am I supposed to compete with these kids who have trained since birth to harness magic and push their bodies to inhuman limits? I'm just an imposter of a half-breed, playing at being a fae.

The teacher crouched beside him, tilting their head to meet his eyes. "There's no need to be so [Nervous]! We all have to start somewhere, and the other children will understand that. This is meant to be a safe space for everyone to train at their own pace."

Some of the tension eased from Maxym's shoulders. He offered them a hesitant smile. "Th-thank you. I'll t- t- try."

At least the teacher seems kind.

"That's the spirit!" They patted him on the back, nearly knocking him off his feet, and ushered him over to the other first years. The children ignored him at first, too focused on their game of tag to notice the newcomer.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Maxym leaned against what looked to him like a rail or fence but was in fact something between a balance beam and a log roll, spinning freely to train balance. Immediately he slipped off and fell to the ground. His ears burned as all eyes turned to him, some curious but most suspicious or disdainful. He stood back up, brushed himself off and gave a jerky bow. "H-hello, I'm Maxym."

For a long moment, no one spoke. Then a boy with a nasty sneer and bright red frosted tips scattered through his brunette hair stepped forward, looking Maxym up and down. "Speaks [Common] like we were told, but he doesn't look like much. I bet he's [Wimpy], his level will never be more than even half his age- since he's not even half [Eladrin]!" His chin-length hair tangled with his ivy as he laughed exaggeratedly, bent over at the waist and wheezing.

The others snickered. Maxym's nails bit into his palms.

They don't deserve the satisfaction of seeing me react. Bullies are one thing I know well, I can't let them know they can bother me or they'll never stop.

An older girl with freckles and mandevilla growing in her fiery red hair frowned at the boy. "Be nice, Tad. Not everyone progresses at the same rate." She smiled tentatively at Maxym, holding out a hand. "I'm Freya. It's nice to meet you, Maxym!"

Maybe there's actually a chance they aren't all awful… I don't expect to make lifelong friends- Cloe’s and Malkyn’s notoriety rules that out- but if I can make even an ally or two I can get through this.

Summoning his courage, Maxym took her hand and grinned. "The pp- p- pleasure is mine."

"Welcome, everyone!" The teacher called out. "We have much to accomplish today, so let's get started! I'm Whisperwind, but you can call me Percy, and I'll be supervising your year here as a [Kindergartner]."

The young [Eladrin] paused their activities and gathered around Percy, who began by introducing the older years' groups to the newest additions. Maxym swallowed hard, feeling the weight of nearly a dozen pairs of eyes upon him when his name was called. He found himself unable to meet their gaze and instead studied some inexplicably [Alluring] blades of grass at his feet until the moment had passed.

"Before I work with you newbies," the teacher explained, "we're going to observe the older children as they take their first ranking run of the obstacle course this season."

Freya gave Maxym's arm a quick squeeze before jogging over to the entrance. He watched as she completed the course, only stumbling a few times. Freya and then the other 4yr old both leapt and sprinted through the course with astonishing speed, finishing in under three minutes apiece. He couldn't help but compare their agility to his own clumsy footfalls, and anxiety tightened his chest. With every inhale he felt his lungs straining against his ribcage more and more, despite each breath being shallower than the one before.

Maxym groaned, his mind racing faster than his legs ever could.

They already think I'm a loser

I was worried about being able to complete the course at all

There's no way I'm gonna measure up if this is the standard

He felt his failure by contrast was assured when Gracebloom, the 3yr old prodigy whose golden curls framed her cherubim cheeks, took her turn. The youngest daughter of the Archduke, she was conspicuously alone. No [Eladrin] dared birth a child the same year as the Princess; due to the resources and trainers available to the family, none could possibly compare. With a flick of her wrist and a whispered incantation the gems embedded within the gilded coker she wore began to glow. She soared delicately through the air, finishing the course in less than a minute. Her cheeks were perhaps a shade or two rosier than before, but otherwise she appeared to have exerted no effort whatsoever. Maxym's jaw dropped in amazement, and he wondered if he would ever possess such power.

The largest group, composed of six 2yr olds, began their turn on the obstacle course. Rather than running it individually their start times were staggered, creating a whirlwind of motion and color as they raced to finish between five and ten minutes. Percy nodded in approval.

"Alright, now that you've shown what they should be striving to achieve," they said, eyes sweeping over the children, "let's move on to our own training."

The tone of the field immediately shifted as most of the kids broke off in groups, chatting and laughing excitedly. Venturing to various pieces of equipment the elder years began to work on their respective goals. Maxym steeled himself, drawing upon the support of his mother's love and the delusion of some courage that lay dormant within him.

Percy clapped their hands, gathering the first years. "Enough dawdling! Your seniors are finished with the obstacle course, so it's time for your first ranking- and for some- first ever, run of it." They glanced meaningfully at Maxym. "Your time will be used as a metric to help understand your progress. Try your best and don't be afraid to push your limits. You'll never improve if you don't challenge yourself, this isn't the time to worry about not exhausting your reserves. Go all out!!"

Maxym gulped but nodded.

I can do this, at the very least I will finish.

"Remember," the teacher said, “I’ll be offsetting your starts with enough time to keep you separated; stay aware of each other on the course but don't let watching your peers affect your time. Keep pushing, focus on yourselves, and do your best! We will continue to go in order from oldest to youngest- Tad, you're up first."

He sneered at Maxym again before sauntering over to the entrance of the obstacle course. At the teacher's signal, he took off, scrambling over the first few obstacles with ease. Freya appeared at Maxym’s side and elbowed him gently. "Don't mind my brother. He's nasty to anyone he thinks he outranks because he's secretly worried he's the weakest in your year." She shrugged. "I think he'll grow out of it, especially once you all prove him right and surpass him."

"I d-don't think I will," Maxym said wryly.

Freya laughed. "Don't sell yourself short! You'll get the hang of it. Tad has his own struggles, even if he forgets at times. That's what family is for though, making sure you know your limitations." She winked conspiratorially at Maxym.

He smiled at her gratefully as she left to attend to her own matters. By the time the second kid had begun to run the course, Tad had made it to the final obstacle before having to turn around- a rope bridge stretched precariously over a pit of mud. As Tad made it to the center, the ropes suddenly went slack. With a shriek, he tumbled into the mud below.

The teacher frowned, activating [Breath Mana Strider] and moving so quickly they seemed to simply appear beside Tad. "Who did that?" They glanced between the children but no one answered. Maxym noticed Freya was still conspicuously missing, and put two and two together entirely on his own- there was absolutely no chance that he had felt [Intuitive] activating.

Sighing, Percy helped Tad out of the mud and said, "Be more careful, it may have been unexpected but you could have reacted with time to spare if you were simply staying alert.” They raised their voice to carry back to the start and continued, “Maxym, you're up next so get ready please."

Maxym stood on shaking legs and walked towards the course. While Percy had his back turned still attending to Tad, something intangible slammed into Maxym’s back, nearly sending him tumbling to the ground. Laughter rang out as he struggled to regain his balance, limbs flailing and heart pounding.

Humiliation branded his cheeks scarlet as he turned to see Gracie and a few others pointing at him, ugly grins on their faces. Rage simmered under his skin, but he pushed it down. There was no use in losing his temper now.

Swallowing hard, Maxym trudged up to the starting line. He wouldn't let them win. He would complete this course, no matter what. Waiting again for the signal to start, Maxym tried to focus on the task ahead.

What if I fail? What if I'm too slow, too clumsy? Too pathetic to even finish?