The term "Pride disciple" carried a bittersweet irony that was well-known within the upper echelons of the academy, though rarely spoken of with respect.
These were the children of the fallen—orphans whose parents had laid down their lives in service to the academy's interests or the kingdom's borders.
Through a stroke of terrible luck, these children were left without kin, without estates, and without a legacy beyond a name.
As a form of restitution for the blood their parents had shed, the academy brought them in. They were fed, housed, and nourished with resources to help them grow into formidable spirit masters.
On the surface, this appeared to be an act of profound institutional benevolence, a safety net for the bereaved.
But the reality of a spirit master's community was far harsher than any recruitment brochure suggested.
