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Aaron drew in a ragged breath He seeether "They’re all staring at me -- all the other students," he said under his breath

Call turned to look, but his gaze was suddenly blocked by the appearance of two Masters Master Tanaka and a woroup of Gold Year students, but whose na at you because you are the Makar," the fee said, her eyes on Aaron "Because you can wield the power of chaos"

Aaron didn’t say anything He looked as though he’d been unexpectedly slapped in the face

"We have been waiting for you, Aaron," said Master Tanaka "You have no idea how long"

Aaron was tensing up, looking ready to bolt Leave hi hi at theether, their Masters Even Le enough to stare at Aaron Only Rockisterium to care for Drew, Call assumed

Rufus laid a protective hand on Aaron’s shoulder "Haru," he said, nodding at Master Tanaka "And, Sarita Thank you for your kind words"

He didn’t sound particularly grateful

"Congratulations," said Master Tanaka "To have a Makar as an apprentice … every Master’s dream" He sounded pretty bitter, and Call wondered if he wasback at the Trial "He must come with us The Masters must speak to him…"

"No!" Tamara said, and then clapped her hand over her mouth, as if surprised at her own outburst "I just mean …"

"It has been a stressful day for the students, especially Aaron," Rufus said to the two Masters "These apprentices, most of them Iron Years, were just attacked by a pack of Chaos-ridden wolves Can the boy go back to his own bed?"

The woman he’d called Sarita shook her head "We can’t have an uncontrolled chaosof his oers" She did actually sound regretful "The area has been thoroughly swept, Rufus Whatever happened with this pack of wolves, it was an anoht now, and to all the other students, is Aaron"

She held out her hand

Aaron looked up at Rufus, waiting for per tired "Go with them," he said Then he stepped back Master Tanaka esture, and Aaron walked over to hi hi only once to look back at Call and Tamara

Call couldn’t help but think he looked very small

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN