Conscription Day: neither something you had dreamed of participating in or being anywhere near and yet, here you stood, in the freezing cold—lined up with a long line of candidates, who all seemed much more eager to be there.

You had never dreamed of being a Dragon Rider, the idea never once crossing your mind.

But with the current unease surrounding the neighbouring kingdoms, it appeared you had little choice in the matter. Standing before the trials and challenges that were required to figure out the Riders from the weak—you quickly realised that there was no failing: only death.

By the end of the day, you would either be dead or bonded to a Dragon and for Sebastian—he was simply there to figure out who would join his squad and to him, you lacked the potential.

So it was not only surprising but intriguing, with how quickly you seemed to change his mind, leaving him both curious and suspicious—lucky for you, that was a good sign.