Location: The hill overlooking the village.
Time: The night before the exam.The four of them—Lirion, Rowan, Elara Thorne, and Garek—gathered around a small campfire.Rowan spoke with a trembling voice, "I'm scared for tomorrow. What if I fail to draw the First Circle?"Lirion placed a hand on his shoulder. "We won't fail. We've worked hard all year. The root isn't everything, Rowan. Stability is what matters most."Garek looked at Lirion and said, "I apologize for the past. You have the strongest will among us."Lirion extended his hand. "Let's make a promise... We will all succeed. No one gets left behind."They stacked their hands on top of one another. It was a sacred vow in a brutal world.