You should go to college

The steaming water cascaded over my head as I leaned against the shower wall, my breath a steady rhythm against the patter of droplets.

It was a long day, one that felt like it stretched for weeks. Every muscle in my body protested, the echoes of Elira's harsh training still reverberating through my bones.

I let out a groan and twisted the knob to cold, the sudden chill shocking my skin and snuffing out the lingering heat from my earlier sparring session.

"Better," I muttered, wiping the water from my face. The cold water was refreshing, clearing away the fatigue and calming my mind.

Standing under the stream, I closed my eyes and replayed the events of the day.

Nyla's endless chatter, Xyra's icy chaos, the magic test that branded me an A-rank, and, of course, the relentless beatdown courtesy of Elira. It was a whirlwind, one that left me questioning how I even managed to stand upright at the end of it all.

But my thoughts inevitably drifted to Elira's offhanded revelation. Valeria a rank X. Someone so absurdly powerful that even Elira, my merciless mentor, seemed humbled by the sheer idea of her strength.

I scrubbed my arms absently, trying to imagine what a rank X mage was truly capable of. Could she level mountains? Stop armies with a flick of her wrist? The way Elira described her made it sound like Valeria was less a person and more a force of nature.

And to think, she was Elira girlfriend.

Shaking my head, I turned off the water and stepped out, wrapping myself in a towel. If I didn't stop spiraling, I'd end up late for dinner, and that would mean dealing with my mother's sharp tongue. That, I wasn't ready for—not after everything else today.

By the time I got to the dining room, the enticing aroma of roasted meat and spiced vegetables had filled the air.

My stomach growled, urging me to move faster. I slid into my usual spot at the table, only to freeze when I saw Carlos lounging lazily in the chair opposite me.

Well I don't know why he thought being in my house was a great idea but I hoped Valeria will come take him since it's like he do nothing but sleep.

"You're still here?" I blurted before I could stop myself.

Carlos, in his irritatingly human form, grinned lazily at me, his head propped up by one hand. "Nice to see you too, Ren. You're looking...crispy."

I glared at him, but the insult didn't even faze him. Carlos was the dragon Valeria had chased out of my body when he was feeding on my magic , and now he was...this. A freeloading, sarcastic human who seemed to have no plans of leaving anytime soon.

"What are you even doing here?" I demanded, gesturing at his slouched posture. "Don't you have dragon things to do? Hoards to protect? Villages to menace?"

"Retirement," he replied with a smirk. "It's peaceful here. Plus, the food's good."

Before I could launch into a tirade, my mother's voice cut through the air like a whip. "Ren, what happened today?"

I winced, my eyes darting to my father for backup, but he was already leaning forward, clearly just as interested. Great.

"Well," I began hesitantly, "I had the usual classes. Magic testing. A bit of sparring—"

"Hold up," my mother interrupted, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Magic testing? What rank?"

I hesitated. Her expression was so intense, it felt like she could burn through me with a single glance. "A," I admitted.

The room exploded.

"A rank?!" my father shouted, nearly knocking over his chair as he stood. "That's incredible!"

Carlos whistled low, looking vaguely impressed for the first time since I'd met him. "Not bad, kid."

My mother, however, wasn't content with simple praise. "Do you know how rare that is at your age? Most middle schoolers can barely manage a D! And you—" She jabbed a finger in my direction, her competitive streak blazing in her eyes. "—are already leagues above them. We should consider moving you ahead."

"Wait, what?" I stared at her, panic bubbling in my chest. "You're not serious."

"She's right," my father chimed in, nodding enthusiastically. "With that level of talent, you'd be better off in a high school or even a college for magic users. No point in wasting time with basics."

"Waste of time?" I repeated, flabbergasted. "I just started!"

"Exactly," my mother said, slamming her hand on the table. "Why waste your potential when you could be learning with people who challenge you? We'll talk to the school tomorrow."

"This isn't a business deal!" I protested, but my voice was drowned out by their excitement.

Carlos, clearly enjoying the chaos, leaned back in his chair and sipped from a goblet of wine he'd somehow procured. "I vote yes," he said lazily.

"You don't get a vote!" I snapped.

Galen, who'd been unusually quiet up until now, finally spoke, his tone dripping with exasperation. "Please move her. I can't stand being in the same school as my little sister when everyone knows she's stronger than me."

I gaped at him, betrayal evident on my face. "Galen!"

He shrugged. "What? It's humiliating."

"You're supposed to have my back!"

"Sorry, Ren," he said, though he didn't look sorry at all.

It got worse. They actually voted. My mother, father, Carlos, and Galen all raised their hands in agreement.

"And that's unanimous," my mother declared with a victorious smile.

"No, it's not!" I exclaimed, pointing at myself. "I vote no!"

"Majority rules," my father said cheerfully, as though this was a democracy and not a dictatorship disguised as a family.

I slumped in my chair, defeated. How had this spiraled so far out of control? All I wanted was a normal dinner after a long day, and now I was apparently being shipped off to a higher-level school against my will.

Nyla's voice echoed in my head: Your family sounds interesting.

Interesting didn't even begin to cover it.