Quietly, Elaine impatiently waited in the living room, seated on their couch. She'd been the first person Ellend had ever told about his acceptance. According to him, he was approached by a Glyph representative only two weeks before his fated duel with that mysterious nobleman sorcerer. Due to his injury, she already knew it'd be impossible for him to attend classes there. She expected that the school would revoke his enrollment offer once the semester had begun, but for the headmaster to visit them himself, why, was that a common practice in nobility? Was she just out of the loop regarding what was considered normal by others?

  Orion, or rather, Headmaster Valerian, certainly didn’t seem inconvenienced. In fact, he wore an unusually bright demeanor—there was a lightness in his step, and he greeted everyone with warm smiles and genuine compliments. Had it not been for his exuberant attire, Elaine suspected that he could convincingly blend in as an ordinary lowborn. His associate Raze was a stark contrast to this optimism. He seldom allowed her irritation to fade; his features were set in a permanent scowl that could curdle milk. With tightly crossed arms and a piercing gaze, Raze radiated a menace that made it clear he was not in the mood for pleasantries. If looks could kill, Elaine mused, Raze’s glare would surely have already felled her and the others present, sending them all spiraling towards Aeris in her Eternal Gardens.

  Liam plopped into the sofa beside her—shocking her to such an extent that a startled yelp! escaped her—as Milo tramped along after him, the dog lazily spinning in a circle before settling on the floor in a massive ball of fur. "If I asked them, do you think they would give me a wand?" Liam grinned. "Now that would be awesome!"

  Elaine swallowed nervously. "What do you reckon they're talking about?"

  "How should I know? I'm not a surgin' telepath!"

  Liam leaned into her—not budging no matter how much she shoved and pushed in protest—and sighed. "Oh, what is it? You sulmo."

  "You think those guys are gonna heal him?" Liam said. "I mean, they're Professional Sorcerers, aren't they? They've gotta know all kinds of wicked spells."

  Elaine threw a palm into his face, finally managing to pry the smaller child off of her. Annoying gremlin. "It's not that simple. If Abjuration were an easy Art Form to master, then every sorcerer under the sun would have enlisted int the Medical Mages by now. I think this has more to do with his studies. Maybe they've devised an alternate method of how he can attend classes or are willing to make exceptions for cases like his."

  "You've probably read more about the place than I have. What makes Glyph so special, anyhow?"

  Elaine frowned. "I'm going to pretend like you didn't ask that."

  "What! What is it? Tell me!" Elaine sealed her lips and folded her arms, refusing to move, even as the parasite poked her in her side, tugged her arm, screamed in her ears. "Come on, El! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!!"

  "All right, all right!" Elaine shouted. "I'll talk! Just shut up, you sulmo!" Liam snickered like the gremlin he was. She hadn't meant to, but she'd awoken poor Milo from his all-too-brief nap. The dog eyed her with an unforgiving side glance—this wasn't the first they'd disturbed the canine with their infamous and frequent spats—when he marched out of the room, tail hanging between his legs. "Look," Elaine said, exhaling, calming herself down, "there's a reason every aspiring sorcerer wants to enroll in Glyph. It's the most prestigious magic teaching institution in the entire country. It's also notorious for its low acceptance rate. As far as I'm aware, there are only two surefire methods of scoring a position there. No, my mistake, there are three. The first is relatively simple: you need to be a noble. Goldblood families arrange special meetings or exams for their children to take. If they meet the requirements, then they are accepted then and there. And if they're especially well off, they could just buy their way in. It's one of the reasons why most of the student body is comprised of nobility. Additionally, since nobles are born with a higher amount of Essence, it means their probability of passing the Glyph Entrance Exam—the second of the three options—is greater than lowborns like us."

  "If that's the case," Liam asked, "then how come Ellend managed to get in?"

  "He didn't simply get in, Liam. He was presented with an offer, a choice."

  "What? Now I'm even more confused..."

  "Well, if you'd let me finish," Elaine snapped, "then you'd know that it is also possible for one to get scouted."

  Liam squinted at her. "Scouted?"

  "Yeah, that's right. If Glyph representatives witness your magical abilities in action, they will recommend to the higher-ups, or I guess, to be more specific, the headmaster, that you're fit to attend the school. This is why I imagine that Ellend was chosen. Mention of his dueling skills must have reached the right people."

  "Right, right. And just so we're clear, how did you learn all this? Did Ellend tell you?" An answer readied itself on the tip of her tongue, but Elaine bit her jaw closed before she could say anything. Sadly, her silence must have confirmed something inside Liam's brain, or at least what accounted for his brain. "Oh! I get it. Very sneaky, sis."

  Elaine blushed. "Wh...What?!"

  "You were planning on enrolling into the academy too, weren't you? You didn't get scouted, so you wanted to take the Entrance Exam instead. Am I right, or am I right?"

  Elaine glared at him. I'll give you credit, little brother. You're not as stupid as I thought you were. Groaning, she sat forward in a slouch, cupping her chin between her hands.

  "So, why haven't you told Ma and Pa? They're sure to understand if you explain it to them."

  "No," Elaine muttered. "No, they would not."

  As far as she knew, her mother had always envisioned her completing her studies in potioncraft, diligently learning the art of blending herbs and mystical ingredients before eventually taking up her place in the family shop, the quaint little storefront that had been passed down through generations. Honestly, Elaine didn't mind that idea too much; it felt fulfilling to think about supporting her family, ensuring that their legacy continued amidst the humble town of Page. However, deep down, she couldn't deny the reality of her own aspirations—the ones that ignited a fire in her heart and made her feel truly alive.

  She adored magic in all its forms—the way it danced and glowed during a well-cast spell, the electric pulse that coursed through her veins when she successfully summoned light from the tip of a wand. Yes, she longed to be a sorcerer, not just any practitioner but a true Professional Sorcerer, mastering the mystic arts and discovering the depths of her power. The idea of weaving spells that could reshape reality was far more enticing than the meticulous preparation of potions and elixirs, and she yearned to forge her own path, one that would lead her into the heart of the magical world.

  Like Ellend, she faced a profound dilemma of her own. She grappled with the weight of her family's expectations, which were firmly rooted in tradition and stability, versus the yearning to pursue her passion for art, a dream that painted vivid visions in her mind. A tempest of contradiction raged within her, manifesting as an internal struggle between the practicality of following a prescribed path—one that promised security and respect—and the intoxicating allure of her creative aspirations. As she sat in the living room, she couldn't help but wonder which choice was truly the correct one. Was it wise to adhere to the legacy her family had built, or was choosing her own path the real mistake?

  The heavy footsteps that could have only belonged to her father echoed upstairs. Moments later, familiar figures flooded into the living room. Father entered first, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the polished wooden floor, followed closely by Mother, who had since changed into a more presentable gown out of respect for their unexpected visitors. Soon after, Headmaster Valerian strode in with an air of authority. Raze, a loyal presence, clung closely to the man like a shadow that refused to depart from the light.

  As Orion seated himself on the sofa across from her, Elaine felt her cheeks flush with warmth. Fritz, this sorcerer was undeniably striking. That debonair smile of his had a dangerous charm, one that could easily sweep hearts away. Time had transformed his features just as it would an exquisite bottle of wine, enhancing them with a rustic allure that spoke of wisdom and experience. His tousled hair caught the light, framing his face in a way that made him appear both unapproachable and inviting. And yet, beneath the polished veneer that came with noble birth, Elaine pondered the truth about attractiveness. It seemed so many nobles were blessed with beauty, at least on the outside, but she couldn’t help but wonder what lay beneath their charming exteriors.

  Mother offered the men some tea—Orion requested a cup, but Raze gave no response—and hurried off to the kitchen. She attempted to hide it but Elaine identified the blatant concern as it broke apart her mother's artificial emotions. Once the woman's voice attuned to a higher pitch it made her facade all the more apparent. Father didn't fare much better. He had assumed a slanted posture in the corner of the room, back against the wall—behind the sofa Orion was sitting in—repeatedly tapping his foot on the floor, hands crossed over his chest. When Mother returned with a tray of steaming tea and a plate of sugar buns, it was Orion who spoke, "I'm very appreciative of your hospitality. Honored am I to be your guest, humbled as well."

  "Thank you," said Mother, sheepish in her response.

  He blew on the tea and then took a sip. Elaine recognized the rich, fruity scent. It was jazmyne leaf, the kind that her mother favored the most. "Suffice to say, Young Ellend's current predicament is...disheartening. He seems to be a bright lad, and he isn't short of Essence either. If properly trained, I could very well see him becoming a great Professional Sorcerer."

  Elaine lowered her frown. "The Medical Mages told us that the only way to cure him is with a special healing elixir made from farroot."

  "I guessed as much," Orion replied, taking another sip. "Were any of you there to witness the duel?"

  "Only our daughter was," Father said from the corner. "It isn't uncommon for Ellend to participate in duels. It's sort of like a hobby for him. When news reached me about what happened, well, I..." Father trailed off, holding trembling fists at his sides.

  "It was difficult for all of us," Mother said, arriving at his aid, intertwining her arm with his. "We're trying our best to move on, but Ellend, Aeris bless him, he's a stubborn kid. We knew he had his heart set on practicing magic as a profession, but he never mentioned to us that one of yours had already scouted him."

  "Actually, that's not entirely true," Elaine said, nervously raising her hand. "Ellend told me after the duel. I promised him I'd keep it a secret."

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  "What?" Mother gasped, wide-eyed. "You knew this entire time...?"

  "Like I said, I made him a promise. It isn't like me to break them."

  Her father muttered something furious to himself. "And I presume you were also made aware of his...suggestion, weren't you?"

  "Not until yesterday, actually," Elaine started. So, he told them after all.

  When Ellend had first proposed it to her, why, she didn't know what to think. How was she expected to react? That she was to take his place at Glyph Academy? That someone like her, someone who could only cast one spell, someone who had never participated in a single sorcerer's duel, that she was to...she was to...

  "It's entirely absurd!" Her mother's outcry earned a startled wince from Father, as well as an audible gasp from Liam. "Elaine, my daughter, has not once set foot outside of Page, nor does she have much experience casting magic. I understand the position you're in, Headmaster Valerian. Truly, I do. But to have Elaine take his place? Honestly, my son wasn't in his right mind when he concocted this...ridiculous compromise! They might just be students to you, but for me, they're my children. My family. Can you really blame me for worrying about their safety in these dangerous times we live in? Just not long ago, another kidnapping report came in, and I've heard of the rogue sorcerers running amok in the Capital. Followers of that monster Dreyfus, no doubt. And here you are, insisting that my daughter abandons everything she's ever known, all to attend a school meant for nobility. This is...this is just too much. I apologize, headmaster, but I simply cannot allow it."

  "We were barely on board with sending Ellend off to further his sorcery, to begin with," Father said, glaring. "I'm not sure if I'm exactly comfortable with this alternative either."

  Elaine had anticipated that reaction. From a realistic point of view, this could have only ended in one way. The strangers would leave, and return to their complicated world of magic and nobility. And she, well, she'd continue with her life as if nothing had even happened. Orion nodded, and he waited for the quietness in the room to simmer before he gently rested the teacup on the tray and spoke, "Clearly, this topic is a point of contention amongst you. I don't fault either of you for harboring these worries. However, as tragic as Young Ellend's condition is, there is, in fact, another reason I've ventured to your living space, Mr. and Mrs. Harwood. Yes, I was hoping to have your daughter take his place this semester, but, ultimately, the decision should be hers to make." Elaine gulped as he clashed his azure gaze—serious and firm—into her, crossing his legs and leaning forward in his seat. "Let us unwind her Essence ourselves, shall we? Elaine Harwood."

  "Y...Yes, sir?" she uttered in a reluctant, shattered tone.

  "Ellend tells me you share his passion for practicing magic. According to him, you have a great aptitude for the mystic arts. But I do recognize not every person is the same. It's what makes our species unique from the beasts and mongrals. Should it be the case that you have no real desire to attend my school, then I shall vacate the premises at once and never intrude upon your lives again. That is my promise to you. Once I step outside those doors, I'll be gone forever. So, first and foremost, I need to hear your answer specifically. Would you like to be made a student of Glyph Academy, and study to be a Professional Sorcerer? Are you willing to—"

  "I would!" Elaine blurted, not thinking a second longer. She glanced at her parents, absorbing their shocked, almost betrayed expressions, and then squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them again, she was staring directly at Headmaster Valerian. There was a satisfied smile on his face. "I want to study magic. I've wanted to for as long as I can remember."

  "Elaine!" Mother objected. "Are you even aware of what you're saying?"

  "Glyph is a very competitive school," Father said, and Orion nodded at him in confirmation. "You're not by any means as spineless as some of the other backwater folk around town, but I fret to wonder what kind of trials you'll face there, how those goldblood...sorry, nobles would treat you. They can be especially ruthless towards outsiders. Given the chance, they just might—"

  "My academy, I do profess, has its fair share of problems," Orion spoke up. "Problems I'm going to great lengths to rectify as proficiently as need be. But the staff and professors I've amassed there are some of the best in the business. I don't appoint a person into my ranks unless I'm fully confident that they are the right sorcerer for the job. If it's your daughter's safety you're concerned for, then I guarantee that she'll be well-protected."

  "A guarantee? You think that'll make me feel any better?!" Mother snapped. "Elaine, what do you hope to gain by doing this? Serving as a Professional Sorcerer. Putting your life on the line. Some men and women I know from this very town had their minds set on sorcery and joining the Arcanum. None of them are alive today." The woman rested a hand over her face and turned away. Nevertheless, Elaine could hear her voice break in half as tears puddled inside her green eyes. "I don't get it...the world has enough heroes...enough sorcerers," she sniffed, Father pulling her into his comforting embrace. "You don't need to be one of them..."

  "Mom," Elaine replied softly, trying to remain strong, solid. "It isn't just about being a Professional Sorcerer. If I go to that academy, I'll be able to hone my magical capabilities. I could use them to help you in the shop, and I'm sure we'd get more customers once news gets out that a Professional Sorcerer is stationed here. On top of all that, if I master Abjuration, I might be able to heal Ellend back to normal, without needing to spend a single token."

  Of course, every word of her rambling rationalization had been taken from Ellend himself. This was his reasoning, this was his plan. She'd be a sorcerer that could fix everything. As much as she didn't like the idea herself, she really was the answer to all of their problems. Well, assuming her studies went well, and, most importantly, if her folks permitted her to attend at all. That tear-stained grimace her mother bore wasn't very encouraging.

  "Before we move on, sir, I'd think now would be appropriate to address another discussion." That was the first she'd heard Raze say anything. He spoke in a low pitch, each of his words as rigid as a cliff, and he had cut into their conversation with all the elegance of a rune sword slicing through stone. "As much as we'd like to put this proceeding to rest, I must remind you that students, regardless of their aptitude, or lack thereof, are expected to take the Entrance Exam."

  Orion exhaled through his nostrils. "The Entrance Exam that has already passed. Yes, yes, of course..."

  "It'd be unfair to the other students who were already accepted to have to take the exam again on account of one candidate, wouldn't you agree?"

  "Yes..."

  "And considering we are at the cusp of a new semester, I doubt our professors would have the time to organize, conduct, and oversee a separate exam."

  "Yes, once again, you are correct, Raze."

  This was...depressing. Perhaps she was too hasty in her original assessment. Raze didn't remind her of a skeleton, not anymore. He was more so akin to a vampire, one that sucked every ounce of excitement and vitality from its host, as evidenced by how Orion slumped further and further into his seat with each of Raze's sullen statements. Gone was the confident, white-collard headmaster. Now, he looked like a child who had just been scolded by their parents. Liam had worn that very same expression, Elaine was fairly certain.

  Raze moaned. "Your irrationality has no bounds, sir." Elaine started as the man stepped to the table between herself and Orion. He pulled out several items from inside his cape, resting each in a line on top of the table, one after the other. "Luckily for me, I foresaw this very occurrence."

  "Raze, you devil!" Orion exclaimed, rekindling his forsaken optimism with a laugh. "I can always count on you!"

  Raze pinched his forehead with a hand. "Sadly, such is this case, sir."

  "What is all of this?" Mother asked. She had gotten rid of her tears, however, portions of her red cheeks were still wet.

  "This," Raze answered, cutting his sharp stare towards Elaine, "is her test. A bit unorthodox, I must admit, but the best I could put together given the particular nature of our circumstances."

  "A test?" Elaine repeated.

  "It'd be unwise to permit you into the academy without first inspecting your skill for magic ourselves."

  "Think of it as an aptitude test, so to speak," Orion said, holding a finger. "Nothing too difficult or complex. In fact, this is how we evaluate some of the nobles who, err, are unable, or unwilling, to take the Entrance Exam properly."

  Raze coughed into a closed fist. "So much for confidentiality."

  Elaine stared at the five items on the table. Her eyes paused on each for a good handful of moments before moving on to the next, sluggishly working her way down the line. Liam tried to snatch one of them, but Elaine swatted away his hand before he was given the chance. "What do you want me to do?"

  "This test is called Eye of the Beholder." Orion gestured to the bizarre display in front of him. "All but one of these trinkets have been imbued with magical properties. Your job: separate the enchanted from the rest and present it to me."

  "Is she allowed to use a wand or a spell?" Liam asked.

  "That won't be necessary," Orion reassured him. "Well, then. Whenever you're ready, Young Elaine."

  An Entrance Exam? In her own house? How unorthodox, indeed. But, they were giving her a chance to prove herself. She couldn't afford to pass this up. Drawing a breath, Elaine began her inspection, examining the odd ensemble of items with a focused squint, attempting to see if she could spot any hidden details.

  The first in line was a carved wooden toy resembling a feline, its body crafted from a rich, dark mahogany. Its features were exaggerated and menacing, with large, sharp fangs protruding from its mouth and claws that resembled the unforgiving edges of a blade, splayed out as if ready to pounce. Elaine suspected it was modeled after the peculiar breed of feral cats she had read about in the shadowy depths of the Eastern Jungles. A vibrant ruby, polished to a gleaming shine, was embedded deep into the crevices of its skull, and as she shifted her gaze, she noticed a faint, pulsing glow emanating from it—a telltale sign that it might be an enchanted item. Next to the feline stood an odd mechanism. At first glance, it appeared to be a simple pair of scissors, but upon closer inspection, she noticed that their curved shears hindered their functionality. They looked almost whimsical, yet their design suggested a purpose long forgotten—perhaps an ancient tool used in some esoteric craft that required precision yet was ill-suited for practical use.

  Beside the scissors was a stone statue depicting a fearsome dragon coiled around a tall, imposing tower. The craftsmanship was exquisite, with each scale chiseled to perfection, giving the illusion of movement. The dragon's body twisted around the tower multiple times, its elongated, serpentine form creating a sense of both power and containment. Despite its inanimate nature, Elaine dared not meet the creature's petrified gaze, which was hauntingly alive with its slit-shaped pupils, as if the stone eyes were observing her every move. Dragons, she knew, were dangerous beasts, capable of unfathomable destruction. In many lands, these fire-breathing creatures thrived in vast colonies, each species exhibiting its own unique characteristics in size and temperament. What havoc would a furnace of dragons wreak if it were to ever approach Incante?

  Each of the items was unique and fascinating in its own way. All except for perhaps the unassuming rock sitting beside the sculpted dragon statue. It was a wunderstone, from the looks of it—a term she had grown familiar with during her studies with Ellend. These stones, remnants of an enormous asteroid that had collided with the continent during the epoch known as the First Suns, were renowned for their distinct turquoise hue, glimmering faintly even in dim light.

  She recalled her lessons vividly: these remarkable stones held an uncanny capacity to absorb magical energy, storing it safely within their crystalline cores. Allegedly, the majority of arcanetech devices being developed today rely on the stored energy of these stones, making them invaluable to advancing magical technology. Yet, this particular rock seemed almost dull in comparison to the artifacts surrounding it—its surface was smooth but lacked any of the glistening allure that typically characterized even the simplest of magical objects.

  Liam certainly didn’t find it impressive either, his expression one of boredom as he recoiled from the pebble. He leaned closer to examine the shimmering vial next to it. But there was something about this ordinary-looking rock that intrigued her, more than she could explain. It felt as if there was an unseen force drawing her in, magnetically tugging at the very fabric of her existence, stirring a curiosity that transcended mere fascination.

  Elaine hesitated, her fingers hovering just above the stone, contemplating the decision before her. Was this the right choice? Was she being too hasty in her desire to grasp it? Perhaps she should take a moment to reassess the other items once more—after all, there might be something that she had overlooked, waiting patiently for her to discover it. But she wouldn't discount her emotions. She took a sweep of the room, glancing at her parents—worriedly staring right back at her—Liam, who was more so distracted by the dragon statue than anything, and then at Orion Valerian. The headmaster, the sorcerer.

  Whatever fate had in store for her, this decision would assuredly seal it. Exhaling, Elaine leaned to the table and touched the wunderstone. The moment she did, a brilliant, scorching light engulfed the room, consuming all that there was.