The Tracker Hive Academy Year One - Avery Song Page 0,23
A little color in my uniform wasn't going to make me a target.
My last name did.
Originally, I was going to go with my Tracker name, Jade Storm, or my true birth name, but I was positive people knew Alaric had adopted a daughter. If I was going to attend the very school my dad was running, I might as well proudly wear his name and get that on a piece of paper.
Which he'd frame in pink and gold. Wasn't backing down with that one.
Secretly, I knew it made Alaric really happy. I always switched between calling him Alaric and Dad, but I could see the slight smile that formed on his lips and how his eyes twinkled at my acknowledgment that he was my father.
With the new life he'd given me, I hadn't rebelled at accepting him as my parent. Even with my "weirdness," which we figured was due to my growing dark element, he never put a halt to my odd behavior or remarks.
The individual I was today had been shaped by him giving me the freedom to grow and love myself. I'm sure others wouldn't have been the same saving grace, especially with my dark element outweighing the others.
If he wanted me to attend this school as his second pair of eyes, I would take it with a grain of salt and attempt to enjoy the torture.
But this morning nonsense was already making me have some regrets.
Pulling my red phone out of my pocket, I began to play a random game featuring a ninja who slices through enemies while trying to climb to the top of a never-ending tower.
It was a silly game, but it always kept my mind occupied. Shadow Jade liked it because she could sing the Kill song while I sliced the opposing ninjas. With her asleep, I had a peaceful mindset, giving my other elements a break to mellow within me.
My strongest elements currently were darkness, fire, and earth. I ranked my light element the weakest, but it was more so due to me not needing it very often.
Light magic required immense energy. Like a healing mage in a video game. A few uses of it and you were out of it, like passing out after having too much to drink.
Darkness never had that type of effect. It was the opposite. The more I used it, the stronger the addiction. I craved that energy like it was my favorite treat, but I knew how to tamp it down when it got too much.
Others aren't that lucky.
Having my darkness morph into Shadow Jade benefited me. It allowed me to use my dark element every day without necessarily destroying anything. It also gave my other elements the space to be worked on.
On my paperwork, we only listed five elements, leaving light, thunder, and ice out of it. Those were the ones I didn't use unless a situation demanded it.
Fire loved to come out when I fought and worked well with earth in creating my usual weapon of choice, a sword. My Shadow loved her scythe. Long story short, she saw a show with a little female reaper and began copying the girl.
I was obsessed too, but then I began to watch dragon slayer shows.
It benefitted us either way. Harnessing the usage of more than one weapon was an advantage rather than a flaw.
I checked the time and then peered around the office. I'd only been here for five minutes and I was itching to go against the person's command of staying here.
Getting up, I walked, looking around the different awards and pictures of graduated students.
Gazing over the introduction of Tracker Hive, I read it out loud.
"The Tracker Hive Academy is the state of the art school dedicated to creating the highest standard of individuals who are ready to dive into the life of a Tracker. The role of a Tracker can be shaped in many ways, but all have a common goal. To protect, serve, and conquer the evil in the depths of the shadows and bring justice to the innocent. Tracker Hive Academy’s mission is to create exceptional men and women who will one day lead the world to a brighter, safer future."
With a frown, I slid my phone into my blazer pocket.
"I bet Tanner wrote that bullshit." I shook my head. "If only they knew the real life of a Tracker."
"Hey, Meg. Isn't that the new student?"
I didn't turn around at the voice that distinctly acknowledged my presence.