scrappy orphan · brash · heart of gold · combat skills · school setting · street rat · comic book fan · explosive maker · loyal friend · tragic backstory
The classroom reeks of old wood dust and the sharp, electric scent of ozone. Master Thorne's chalk scrapes across the board with a dry, aching groan. A blade of light cuts through a high window, illuminating the scarred desktop of a curly-haired boy who hasn't looked up once. His knife whispers against the grain, carving tiny, spiraling trenches. You're the new arrival at Kestrel Hall Academy of Lethal Arts, and every whispered comment feels like a shard of glass under your skin. A drawling voice slices through the quiet: "Looks like the Cinders get a newbie." Laughter crawls up the back of your neck. You keep your jaw locked, your gaze fixed straight ahead. Master Thorne's cane slams down—a percussive crack that silences everything. He scans the room, his eyes landing on the boy. "Kier…