55

It was impossible when you were a child, all on your own and struggling to survive, but it might not be impossible anymore. Now, when you speak, the world listens. If you can impress the chancellors, perhaps you can persuade them to alter the Academy's curriculum and open their doors to students of all kinds, even those like Alvis with purely theoretical ambitions. You might even earn a place there yourself, which is a powerful position to have regardless of your magical aspirations.

Of course, that might be difficult without revealing the true nature of your powers, and if that comes out, the world might not listen when you speak anymore.

Next

The Academy comes into view outside your carriage window almost precisely at midday. You gaze in awe at the stone towers that seem to soar into the sky, breath caught in your throat. You wonder which ones it was that Ilias the Realm-Warden personally called forth from the ground. With the way so many mages rave about the elegance of Ilias's stonecraft, you'd thought it might be easier to tell.

Evander blinks slowly awake just as you're passing under the archway at the Academy's entrance. He stumbles through a drowsy apology for falling asleep, but wakes up properly just in time to lean out the window to excitedly announce your arrival to one of the guards by the archway, whom he seems to know by name.

Word of your arrival travels fast. By the time Evander escorts you out of the carriage in front of one of the stouter stone towers, you already have a welcoming committee. At the front of the eager mob is a stern-featured woman, approaching sixty but with only a strand or two of gray in her dark hair. Her posture is impeccable enough to look stiff, but her expression warms the moment she sees you and Evander approaching. "Jun, what a pleasure to meet you at last," she says, stepping forward to clasp your hand. "I am Chancellor Selene Savva. It's my honor to welcome you to the Royal Arcane Academy. We have much to discuss, and it's my hope we'll be able to prevail upon you to stay for some time."

Savva's expression doesn't alter. "I know there must be many things for you to attend to under the circumstances, but there really is much we can offer you. The other chancellors and I have several theories about the prophecy's return already." Her face brightens suddenly. "But first, I hope you wouldn't mind a brief indulgence? Some of the students are preparing something for you right now."

Instead of elaborating, Savva beckons for you and the rest of the crowd to follow her down one of the Academy's cobblestone paths. "It's a pity you've missed my daughter Danai," she says. "She studies history as well as magic, and I imagine she'd have some useful ideas about the prophecy. And of course she'll be terribly disappointed to have missed you as well, Evander."

There's a significant weight to her words—clearly the connection between her daughter and Evander is one she wants to emphasize. Evander smiles and murmurs that he'll look forward to seeing her another time. He sounds genuine enough, though hardly heartbroken. You know there's no official engagement, if that's what Savva's implying. Savva's daughter aside, you're starting to get a bit concerned that no one has yet explained where you're going.

Next

Eventually, Savva and your admirers come to a halt in front of an open field. At first, you're not sure what it is that's supposed to be so diverting. Then you notice that someone's propped up a straw dummy about halfway down the field, and you have a sinking realization that you might know what Savva has in mind.

"I've heard an impressive story about you catching three demons at once in a fireball in Elith," Savva says. "All the tales mention your impeccable technique. I thought you might like to demonstrate such a fireball now. It would make a marvelous presentation for the students."

You note that even more students are filing in behind the mass that followed you here. Half the Academy appears to be present to witness this.

Next