(Kyla’s point of view)

“If she wakes up, you tell me first!” Someone said, the voice was muffled, like I was listening through a wall.

‘Is that Ms.Nordblum?’

“Do you understand?” she said with emphasis on each word. I heard the woman more clearly this time and I was certain it was the administrator.

“Y… Yes, but Pyro—”

“At worst, Pyro will instantly burn you to a crisp. But me,” she paused and did something. I couldn’t tell what because I still couldn’t open my eyes but I could sense something in the atmosphere had changed. “I’ll force you to live your worst nightmare over and over again.”

The menacing aura leaking off Nordblum was so intense that it felt like a heavy weight pressing down on me, and then, it was just gone. In an instant Nordblums’s threatening presence reverted to that of the administrator, tough but kind and not at all frightening. “I’m glad we understand each other, Debby. As soon as she’s awake, and not a moment later.”

Debby never replied, but the rhythmic click of heels on a tile floor let me know that Valencia had left.

I involuntarily gasped for air, making me realize that at some point, I had started holding my breath.

“Heaven’s flame, you startled me.” A short and rather plump woman said from beside the bed. Her shirt read med bay 2 and the room was all white with neatly organized medical equipment on the counter and walls.

The woman, I could only assume was Debby, was as white as the walls and leaning, unsteady, against a counter.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered after catching my breath. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Debby straightened her posture then grabbed a CAD to scan me with as a tinge of pink returned to her face. “Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy at all?” She said with a quick shift into her nursing duties.

“No.”

“Are you nauseous?”

“No.”

“Are you experiencing any pain?”

Growing impatient, and wanting some answers I snapped, “No! I don’t mean to interrupt you, but what exactly happened and why was Ms.Nordblum here?”

At the mention of Valencia Nordblum, Debby became stiff. She awkwardly set down the CAD, not letting the scan finish. After a few deep breaths, she regained her composure.

With another deep breath she said, “I’m not sure what that dreadful woman wants, but I’ve heard, Pyro wants to make you a hero candidate.”

“A WHAT?” I shouted excitedly, nearly knocking the woman over as I sprang from the table.

Lenora suddenly burst into the room. Our eyes met briefly then she turned around and shouted. “She’s awake!” into the quiet hall.

Before Lenora could clear the door Charity and Jamie pushed past her and scurried over to check me out. It was strange, since we’d only just met as dust mages..

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“Are you okay?”

“You definitely shouldn’t have been a dust mage.”

“Can you teach me that sun spell?”

“Oh my gosh, you’re going to be a hero!”

“Kyla, we’re friends, right? You’ll introduce me to the heroes, won’t you?”

I had never spoken to either of them before now. It was quite clear their motivation. They’d only taken a cursory glance at me before trying to see what benefits they might gain from my success.

“Have some class, you two. She only just woke up and you’re already harassing her.” Lenora pushed them both back into the hall, adding, “by the way Jamie, you’re not friends.” Then the door shut and the room was quiet again.

Lenora gave me a hug, squeezing me tight, the way my mother did when I gained a new elemental affinity. With her mouth near my ear, she mumbled. “I’m sorry I held back.” Her words were so faint that I could barely make them out. Pulling back she gave a relieved sigh then said, “good thing you didn’t die, but next time, maybe you shouldn’t push yourself so hard.”

A chorus of cheers and squealing erupted from the hallway, then Charity and Jamie, both still shrieking, burst back into the room.

“Eeeee!” Charity squealed with eyes that seemed to be telling me something.

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! OH MY GOSH!” Jamie chanted, “You won’t believe who’s—”

“Kyla Ray.” The thundering voice of Pyro filled the small medical room. When he came in, my stomach tied itself in knots. “That was a neat little trick you pulled. I’ve never seen someone that reminded me so much of myself. If you’d like, I can train that little flame of yours and turn it into a true inferno.”

Am I even good enough to be a hero candidate?

I was beyond excited. Being recognized by one of the twelve heroes, and for it to be Pyro himself… I couldn’t think of a greater honor; and yet, a part of me felt uneasy. If I became a hero candidate then I likely wouldn’t get much time with my family. Who would look out for Fey? What if I couldn’t handle the pressure? So many questions passed through my mind that I just couldn’t make a decision. “I Uhm… I don’t know what to say.”

Pyro smiled kindly, but didn’t walk away. His patient smile told me that he needed an answer. Once he left, if I didn’t accept now, I probably wouldn’t get another opportunity.

“You say YES!! Eeeee! And do a little happy dance.” Charity said with an animated demonstration.

“Come on Kyla, what’s there to think about? Who wouldn’t want to be a hero candidate?” Jamie added.

“I’m with you no matter what you decide, but seriously girl what’s the hesitation?” Lenora asked. “You do realize no dust mage has EVER become a hero candidate before? And it’d be incredibly rude to turn down the man who founded our SAFE society.” Lenora lectured. It seemed like she was prepared to keep going, but I held up my hand to stop her.

“If you’re willing to train me, then I’d be honored.” I answered in a restrained, more dignified manner than what charity had suggested.

Inside I was already questioning my choice. Was it even my choice? Or did I just cave to the pressure?

“You made the right choice Kyla. I’ll show you things you never thought possible before.”

I nodded and tried to smile, but even to me, the smile felt awkward. I couldn’t fully hide my resignation despite the chorus of excited squealing and Lenora’s supportive hand on my shoulder.

Deepening my concerns, Ms. Nordblum appeared behind Pyro, scowling with baleful malevolence in the doorway. Her wicked gaze was centered on Debby, but I felt certain there was something in those wrathful eyes for me as well. I couldn’t imagine what horrors she had planned for the poor nurse and I didn’t want to find out if she had any unpleasantries in store for me. Then her expression changed instantly as Pyro began moving.

The vile intent was replaced with a cheerful smile that made me wonder if maybe I had been imagining her rage.

“Ah, Valencia you’ve got perfect timing.” Pyro said, nearly bumping into her. “Please get Ms.Ray transferred into the hero program immediately.”

I’m a hero candidate now. I told myself, still trying to process what had happened. And I will be great.

“You wanted first class, but you made it all the way to hero candidate in just one day! That’s got to be a new record or something.” Lenora chimed. Her words like a hammer, pounding in the magnitude of my accomplishment