Shadow Orb

The strange gust of wind settled as quickly as it had come, and the students stared in confusion. Alex blinked, noticing that their homeroom teacher, Mr. Fenton, was now standing at the front of the class, as if he had materialized out of thin air.

"Settle down, everyone," Mr. Fenton said in his usual calm, authoritative tone. The room instantly quieted. Alex's classmates exchanged glances, some of them whispering, trying to make sense of what just happened. But Alex already knew.

It was Mr. Fenton's Tay.

Mr. Fenton was bonded with a Speed Tay, one of the rarest types. He could move faster than the eye could see, and every time he did, it created that sudden rush of wind. The teachers at school were no ordinary humans, but skilled Tay-bonders who had mastered their creatures. It was part of what made this school so prestigious.

As Mr. Fenton strolled to the front of the room, he picked up a piece of chalk and began to write on the board in large, bold letters: Tay.

"Alright, class," he began, turning to face the students. "Who here can tell me what a Tay is?"

Silence. Some students shifted awkwardly in their seats, others avoided eye contact, not wanting to be called on. Alex was about to sigh in relief, thinking Mr. Fenton would skip him, but instead, the teacher's sharp eyes locked directly onto him.

"Alex," Mr. Fenton said, his voice smooth but commanding. "Why don't you explain to the class what a Tay is?"

Alex swallowed hard. He hated being put on the spot, especially with Aristotle and his friends in the room, probably waiting for him to mess up. But there was no getting out of it now.

Taking a deep breath, Alex stood up. "A Tay is a creature that bonds with humans," he began, keeping his voice steady. "They come in many different types like Spirit Tay, Blood Tay, Wind Tay, and others. Each type has its own unique abilities. When a human bonds with a Tay, they can access those powers."

Mr. Fenton nodded, gesturing for Alex to continue.

"Bonding with a Tay isn't something everyone can do," Alex added, glancing around the room. "It requires a special connection. Some people are chosen by their Tay at birth, while others have to go through a selection process to find the right bond. Once bonded, the Tay and the human share a connection for life, and that bond grows stronger over time."

He sat down, feeling the eyes of his classmates on him. He wasn't sure if he had done a good job or if he had made a fool of himself, but Mr. Fenton gave him a small, approving nod.

"Exactly," the teacher said, his voice cutting through the silence. "Tay are a vital part of our world, and the bond between a human and a Tay is one of the most powerful connections we can make."

Mr. Fenton paused, his expression growing more serious. "And now, for the most important announcement of the year."

The class leaned forward, a ripple of excitement passing through the room. Even Aristotle and his group were paying attention.

"As you all know, this year marks the beginning of the Tay Selection Ceremony," Mr. Fenton continued. "Every student of age will be given the chance to participate and potentially bond with a Tay. This is no small matter. The Selection will determine your future, both in this school and beyond."

Alex felt a shiver of anticipation run down his spine. The Selection Ceremony. He had known it was coming, but hearing Mr. Fenton speak the words made it all real. It was the one chance for students like him ordinary, unnoticed to prove themselves. To bond with a Tay and step into a new world of possibilities.

But as Mr. Fenton's words echoed in the room, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that this year's Selection would be different. Something more was at play. The strange gust of wind, the ominous sense in the air it was as if the entire world was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

And Alex had a feeling that, for better or worse, he was going to be caught right in the middle of it.

Mr. Fenton's voice carried through the room with a growing intensity. "Since most of you are turning ten years old this year, and some of you have already reached that milestone, tomorrow will mark a special day for all of you. The Tay Selection Ceremony will take place, and each of you will be given the opportunity to bond with your respective Tay."

Excitement rippled through the class. Students exchanged wide-eyed glances, whispers filling the air. The moment they had been waiting for was finally here.

But no one in the room was more excited than Alex. Tomorrow. It was really happening tomorrow.

And today today was Alex's tenth birthday.

A smile spread across his face as the realization sunk in. He was finally of age to participate in the Selection. After years of watching older kids go through the process, tomorrow would be his turn to find his own Tay. His heart raced at the thought of what kind of creature would choose him. Would it be a Wind Tay, with its ability to manipulate the air? Or maybe a Spirit Tay, known for their connection to the unseen?

He couldn't help but imagine the possibilities.

Sitting there in his seat, Alex's mind wandered to his father. His dad had disappeared years ago, under mysterious circumstances, but Alex still remembered the stories he used to tell him about the Tay. His father had been bonded with a rare and powerful one the Shadow Orb, the king of all Shadow Tay. Alex often wondered if his father's bond with such a powerful creature had something to do with his disappearance. No one knew for sure.

But tomorrow, Alex would finally get the chance to follow in his father's footsteps. Tomorrow, he would find out if he, too, was destined for something great.

As the bell rang and the class began to pack up, Alex couldn't stop smiling. The wait was over. Tomorrow, everything would change.