Date: Yithi 4th, 1590 - Before The Long Stillness
The wooden chair was uncomfortable as I shifted.
The smell of old books would normally be comforting, but now it just made me sick.
The wooden walls of the testing room made me want to curl into myself.
“This test will determine your placement in the Academy,” said the mentor, Mrs. Sanbery, a short woman with a messy nest of hair piled high on her head. It looked like the sort of style where someone might stuff a quill inside and forget about it.
My hands began to sweat as they put a sheet of paper in front of me.
I tried to grip my quill, but my palm was so slick the feather slipped between my fingers.
I looked around; other candidates for The Academy of Mages were at their assigned desks.
“Cyrus! Eyes forward, young man,” Mrs. Sanbery snapped. I put my head forward and looked down at my parchment.
Who is Oryanis? I moved my quill as if I were writing, but I didn’t know the answer.
What is the Heir to Canthia? Oh, this one I knew... The Heir to Canthia is a myth about a woman who walks on air and is supposed to take over for Canthia when she is ready to step down as Goddess.
What is the theory of magic in Celentra? Emotions power magic in Celentra; you need to be clear and honest about what you want.
Do you need to use words to cast in Celentra? I scrunched my nose; I wasn’t sure. People used words for magic all the time. Then some people didn’t. I skipped the question.
What are the four elements that can be used in Celentra given your affinity for the element?
Earth, Air, Water, Fire
Where does a Ginthic Lily grow? In the Mountains of Mathin in the darkness.
How do you calculate an object's emotional weight when using telekinesis? I skipped that last question. I didn’t want to think about an object's weight if I was lifting it with my mind.
Slowly, other students stood and placed their parchment on the long wooden desk.
“Good.” Mrs. Sanbery stood at the front. “This will let us know where to place you. You are excused.”
Everyone got up and moved for the door as quickly as possible.
I slipped my test onto her desk, my hand feeling disconnected. I should have answered those questions. But I didn’t know the answer.
Or I did and didn’t want to answer it.
My palms began to sweat.
I lingered for a moment.
“Mrs. Sanbery?” I asked, standing in front of her desk.
“Yes?” she looked at me curiously.
“I was wondering, could you tell me where I will be placed?” I looked down at my feet.
“I can’t. But what I can do is celebrate with you at the ceremony in two days,” She made a shooing motion as I walked out.
I walked down the corridor slowly. The ceremony would be in just two days.
I could wait that long.
It wasn’t like my destiny was on the line.
At least that’s what I told myself; it’s what I have to believe.