Novice

A fifteen‑year‑old genius from one of the Hub’s most prominent families, Telzey Amberdon is hardly the type to feel out of place—until a vacation on the exotic world of Jontarou leaves her restless. With her instinct‑sharp, telepathic cat Tick‑Tock perched at the window, she senses an unseen presence lurking among the planet’s vividly blooming shrubs. The tranquil garden, meant for relaxation, suddenly feels charged with a strange, unreadable pressure that even Telzey’s keen mind can’t explain.

As Tick‑Tock stalks the thicket and refuses to be coaxed away, Telzey’s curiosity battles with an uncomfortable intuition that she’s being guided toward something specific. The alien flora, the unfamiliar night sounds, and her aunt’s sardonic remarks only heighten the mystery, prompting the young prodigy to confront a puzzle that may test her fledgling experience. The stage is set for a clever, tension‑filled adventure where a novice must decide whether to trust her instincts—or her cat.