The Five Realms

Chapter 50: Steven X

Chapter 50: Squad 50 – The Draco Clan

Steven folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the bench, trying to act like he wasn't the only one left sitting.

He was, of course. Technically, not alone—there were exactly eleven other uncalled cadets still waiting in the outer rows of the plaza—but it felt like the crowd had thinned just to spotlight him. Around him, the magical scoreboard shimmered in the air like a floating spellbook, updating names in real-time beside their newly minted squad numbers.

Joey: Squad 1.
Chyna and Beanca: Squad 25.
Fate: Squad 1.

He had seen those assignments coming. They made sense.

But him?

Still floating in uncertainty. Still benched.

Steven tilted his head toward the trio standing across from him in impeccable formation—triplets with snow-white hair, rune-threaded uniforms, and a level of silent coordination that made his skin crawl. Conor, May, and Johnson Kazeon. They hadn't said a word since they arrived. Not to anyone. Not even to each other. Yet somehow, they moved like a single organism—three parts of the same unspoken equation.

Steven narrowed his eyes slightly. He wasn't intimidated.

Just... very aware of how not them he was.

A sigh slipped out of his mouth. "...Are you kidding me?" he muttered under his breath.

Then Eragon's voice boomed across the plaza, the last echoes of squad names falling silent.

"And now, our final squad: Number Fifty. Conor Kazeon. May Kazeon. Johnson Kazeon... and Steven Parker."

There was a noticeable pause.

A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd like a stone dropped into still water.

Steven closed his eyes and let his head thunk gently against the backrest. "Cool," he whispered. "I'm the plot twist."

Ares stirred faintly in his mind. The dragon's thoughts came through dry and amused: At least you're memorable.

Steven pushed up from the bench and slung his satchel across one shoulder. "At least we got a cool name," he muttered, spotting the golden lettering flashing above the scoreboard:
Squad 50 – Du Wyrda Istalrí.
The Draco Clan.

It sounded like a cross between a battle hymn and a trading card franchise, but honestly? He'd take it. Better than Squad Tomato or something.

As he approached the center platform, the sea of voices began to fade into background static. He registered Joey grinning from Squad 1's row, Chyna mouthing something like "Oh snap," and Fate raising a single eyebrow like she wasn't sure whether to be impressed or terrified for him.

Then Eragon raised one hand, signaling a shift.

"We will now allow our elite Riders to choose the squads they will mentor."

A hush rippled outward.

Two figures stepped onto the stage—identical, golden-haired girls in sleeveless colored tunics. One in orange, one in sky blue.

Sophie and Analiese Dragonheart.

Steven had only seen them once before—in the background of some high-level training footage, launching spell-fire from the back of their dragons in perfect synchronicity. He'd assumed the twins were upper-tier showpieces of the Academy. A legacy thing.

And then—

"I choose Squad Fifty," Analiese said. Her voice was crisp, unwavering. "Du Wyrda Istalrí."