As dawn broke and the city of Emberfall stirred awake, Schillian was already hard at work. He moved quickly between chores at the inn—hauling buckets of water from the well, scrubbing the floors with an old towel, and trying not to slip on the damp wooden boards.
Just as he finished wringing out a rag, the inn's front door creaked open. It was Alira, the magister. Once again, she had come to see him.
This time, she wasn't here for small talk.
"The head mage of the regional Arcane Council office has taken interest in you," she said. "They wish to perform a few tests—nothing dangerous. Just… evaluations."
The words sent a shiver of nerves down Schillian's spine.
Alira quickly turned to his parents. "It's a chance. And I assure you—he'll be safe."
His mother and father exchanged uncertain glances. But refusing an invitation from the Arcane Council wasn't exactly a good idea. Not only would it be rude, it might also cost Schillian an opportunity—one that could shape his entire future.
So they agreed.
As Schillian packed what little he needed, Alira gave his parents a reassuring smile before stepping out with him. The council building was only a ten-minute walk away, tucked in a part of Emberfall Schillian had never visited before.
Along the way, they ran into Lila.
She looked worried. "Where are you going?" she asked, clutching the hem of her dress.
Schillian smiled softly. "It's just a visit to the Arcane Council. I'll be back by afternoon, promise."
But Lila's expression didn't change.
Her voice trembled. "Is it because of the book…? The one I gave you?"
He gently patted her head. "It's not your fault. I'm fine. You don't need to worry."
Her cheeks flushed. She quickly batted his hand away and turned around, hiding her face.
Schillian chuckled and waved. "I'll be back soon."
The Arcane Council office was more majestic than he imagined. Though he had lived in Emberfall his whole life, this side of the city felt like an entirely different world.
When they entered the building, Schillian's eyes went wide. His jaw practically hit the floor. Everything around him shimmered with enchantment—floating lanterns, self-writing scrolls, decorative runes pulsing faintly with energy. Magic, everywhere.
He was so mesmerized that he didn't even notice the bit of drool hanging from his mouth.
Alira, now speaking to the front desk receptionist, turned and called him over. "Schillian. The head mage is waiting."
Snapping out of his trance, he wiped his mouth and nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
They continued down a grand hallway lined with deep red carpets and tall wooden doors. Mages in deep blue robes passed by, their steps confident, their auras commanding.
Schillian looked at them in awe. *Will I ever become like that?* he wondered.
At the end of the hall stood a tall double door. Glowing runes were carved into the frame, spelling out *Head Mage* in golden letters that shimmered like starlight.
Alira pushed the door open.
Behind a large desk and tall glass windows sat a figure in a finely embroidered robe. A golden crest shimmered on his chest, marking his rank.
"Welcome, Schillian," the man said.
And just like that, the real test was about to begin.