The morning sun filtered through the trees as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My long, dark hair fell over my shoulders, and I gripped a pair of scissors in my hand. This was it. The first step in becoming someone else.

“You sure about this?” Kael asked, leaning against the doorframe. His arms were crossed, and his expression was a mix of concern and amusement.

“No,” I admitted, holding up a strand of hair. “But I don’t have a choice.”

Kael pushed off the doorframe and walked over, taking the scissors from my hand. “Let me do it. You’ll butcher it otherwise.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Since when are you a hairstylist?”

He smirked. “Since I realized you’d probably give yourself a bald spot.”

I rolled my eyes but sat down in the chair, my heart pounding. This was real. I was really doing this.

Kael stood behind me, his hands gentle as he gathered my hair. “Last chance to back out,” he said, his tone teasing but with an edge of seriousness.

“Just cut it,” I said, my voice firm.

The first snip of the scissors made me flinch, but I forced myself to stay still. Strands of hair fell to the floor, and I watched in the mirror as my reflection changed. The girl I’d been was slowly disappearing, replaced by someone new. Someone stronger.

“So,” Kael said as he worked, “what’s the plan once you’re at Ironclaw? You just gonna walk in and start bossing everyone around?”

I snorted. “Yeah, that’ll go over well. No, I’ll keep my head down. Learn what I can. Prove myself without drawing too much attention.”

“Good luck with that,” Kael said dryly. “You’re not exactly the ‘keep your head down’ type.”

“I can be,” I insisted. “When I need to be.”

Kael chuckled but didn’t argue. He finished cutting my hair, stepping back to admire his work. “Not bad, if I do say so myself.”

I turned to the mirror, my breath catching. My hair was short, cropped close to my head in a style that was undeniably masculine. I looked… different. Stronger. Harder.

“Well?” Kael asked, his tone teasing. “Do I get a tip?”

I punched him lightly in the arm. “Shut up.”

He laughed, but his expression turned serious as he looked at me. “You really think this is going to work?”

“It has to,” I said, my voice quiet but firm. “I don’t have another option.”

Kael nodded, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by something more solemn. “Alright. Then let’s make sure you’re ready.”

---

The next few days were a blur of preparation. My mother helped me bind my chest, showing me how to do it tightly enough to hide my curves but not so tight that I couldn’t breathe. It was uncomfortable, but I quickly got used to it.

“You’ll need to practice your voice,” my mother said one evening as we sat in the kitchen. “Lower it. Make it rougher. You can’t sound like a girl.”

I nodded, trying to mimic her instructions. “Like this?”

She tilted her head, considering. “Close. But try to relax your throat more. Don’t force it.”

I tried again, this time letting my voice drop naturally. It still felt strange, but it sounded more convincing.

“Better,” my mother said, a small smile playing on her lips. “You’re a quick learner.”

“I have to be,” I said, my voice low and steady.

Kael, meanwhile, took it upon himself to teach me how to move like a boy. “You walk like you’re trying to win a race,” he said, watching me cross the room. “Boys don’t walk like that. They slouch. They take up space.”

I glared at him but adjusted my posture, letting my shoulders relax and my stride become more casual.

“Better,” Kael said, nodding. “But don’t overdo it. You’re not a lumberjack.”

I rolled my eyes but kept practicing, determined to get it right.

---

The night before we were set to leave for Ironclaw, I found myself standing in front of the mirror again. My reflection stared back at me, a stranger with short hair, a flat chest, and a voice that didn’t quite feel like my own.

“Aiden,” I said, testing the name. It felt strange on my tongue, but it also felt… right. This was who I had to be now. Aiden.

Kael appeared in the doorway, his usual smirk in place. “You ready, Aiden?”

I turned to him, squaring my shoulders and lowering my voice. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

He grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. “Then let’s go. Ironclaw’s waiting.”

I took one last look in the mirror, my heart pounding. This was it. No turning back.

“Let’s do this,” I said, my voice steady.

And with that, I stepped out of the room, leaving Aria behind and embracing Aiden.

---

The journey to Ironclaw was long and grueling, but I didn’t mind. It gave me time to settle into my new identity, to practice my voice and my walk until they felt more natural. Kael stayed by my side, his presence a constant reassurance.

As we approached the gates of Ironclaw, my stomach churned with nerves. The academy loomed ahead, a massive stone fortress surrounded by towering trees. It was imposing, intimidating, and exactly the kind of place where I needed to prove myself.

“You ready for this?” Kael asked, his tone serious.

I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

He nodded, his expression grim. “Then let’s go. And remember—keep your head down. At least for now.”

I nodded, my resolve hardening. This was it. The beginning of everything.

As we stepped through the gates, I felt a surge of determination. I was Aiden now. And I was going to make sure no one ever doubted me again.