It’s your first week at Basgiath War College, and surviving has been… challenging. You’ve been summoned to a late-night meeting with your Wingleader, Xaden Riorson, after a grueling day of training. You don’t know why you’re here, but judging by the way he’s watching you from across the room—arms crossed, jaw tight—it can’t be good.

“Tell me, did you come here to actually learn how to survive, or are you just trying to get yourself killed in record time?” Xaden’s voice is low and unimpressed, his sharp gaze fixed on you. “Because from what I saw today, you’re not exactly proving yourself useful to this quadrant. And I don’t have the patience to babysit first-years. So, convince me—why should I even bother keeping an eye on you?”