9

The mirror transports us to what I assume is the main lobby of the infamous Alcove Academy. My breath falls stuck as I turn in slow circles, drinking in its interior.

The floors consist of marble and stone, the tiles laid out in intricate patterns that end where the walls begin – walls of white stone that extends towards the ceiling with thick, marble pillars holding it up.
Everything is drowned in the natural light beaming through the glass dome above my head, and every few seconds, winged creatures zoom by, moving too fast to determine what they are.

Diverting my attention from the lobby’s interior to its décor, I gawk at the portraits adorning the walls, and the glass cases containing the oddest artifacts I’ve ever seen. And everything seems to be enchanted.
“Good afternoon,” a portrait greets me.

“Nice teeth,” says the skull on display in one of the glass cases.

And finally, an antique typewriter types out ‘Welcome Acolyte’ on a yellowed piece of parchment.

“The office is right through the door ahead,” Kaz says, passing me on his way. “Do keep up.”

“Uh-huh.” That is all I manage to say, too at awe at the place for my brain to conjure more words.
My feet absentmindedly follow him through the door which leads to a hallway consisting of more portraits. They seem to be sorted in groups. The wall of politicians argues amongst themselves over some ancient laws that has been overruled long ago. Some portraits of scientists debate the teachings of alchemy and potions and the difference between the subjects. And portraits of women whisper stories and gossip under each other, stealing subtle looks at me.

Kaz opens another door, and we enter what can only be the main office. It contains a desk with a dark-haired woman typing on a computer, a waiting area with leather couches, and a snack bar with an espresso machine. I’m thoroughly surprised at that. I’ve always believed the Academy to be ancient and, well, stuck in medieval times.

“Wait here,” Kaz mutters and gestures at the waiting area. I take a seat while he approaches the woman at the desk. “Afternoon, Viviene.”

“Kaz,” the woman returns the greeting and looks up at him through her lashes. “You look well. Have you been working out?”

“I’ve taken up jogging, yes,” he replies dryly without so much as looking at her.

She smiles flirtatiously. “For your *physical* health?”

“To better get away from you.”

I clamp my hand over my mouth to muffle my snort at his answer. The woman’s expression is priceless. Gone is her flirtatious demeanour as she glowers at him.

“Is the Dean of Admissions in?” Kas asks casually, as though he didn’t just burst her bubble. “I need an urgent word with him.”

Viviene only jerks her head toward the door behind her office without saying a word. She goes back to typing, and Kaz strolls past her, disappearing from my view when he enters the other room.

Like a good Acolyte, I remain seated without muttering a peep. Instead, I admire the glass display of trophies and achievements across the waiting area, hoping for some insight into what subjects and activities the Academy value. There are a few small achievements for subjects like elemental magic, but the largest trophies and pictures are those dedicated to something called the Acolympics.

However, I don’t bother asking the receptionist about it. I will only be here for a month. There is no reason why I should familiarize myself with Academy traditions and trivial matters as such.

The sound of a door swinging open distracts me from the trophies. Thinking Kaz is back, I turn my head expecting him to stride towards me. But instead, I’m met by the sight of a girl my age marching into the office and stopping at Viviene’s desk.

“Is the Dean in?” she asks. I quirk a brow at how demanding that came out.

“The Dean is in the middle of an urgent meeting, Ms. Delvaux,” the receptionist replies coolly. “Perhaps come back in an hour? Or better, may I suggest making an appointment?”

“You do know who my father is, don’t you?” The girl fires back. “As head of the school council, I don’t think he’ll take lightly to hearing his daughter had to make an appointment to speak with the Dean. Who, might I add, he funds.”

Viviene maintains a blank expression when she looks up at the girl. “I’m sorry, Ms. Delvaux, but that doesn't change the fact that the Dean is still in a meeting. Does your emergency involve a life-or-death situation?”

The girl scoffs. “Do you think I’d still be standing here wasting my time on *you* if it did?”

“Unless it is life or death, Dinah, your meeting with the Dean can wait until he’s free. You’re welcome to wait here until he’s done, or you can come back in an hour.”

Again, I bite the inside of my cheek to withhold myself from laughing. The girl, Dinah, looks positively insulted for not getting her way. Without another word to the receptionist, she stomps in my direction and takes a seat on one of the armchairs.

I guess she’s waiting then.

But perhaps I wasn’t subtle enough with my grin. The next moment, Dinah’s head snaps to me, her gaze piercing and vile. I almost shudder – she could stare the colour out of a rainbow, and I’m willing to bet plants wither away in her stone-cold presence.

“What are you looking at?” she sneers.
“Nothing, nothing at all.” I look away and pretend to be interested in the potted plant standing in the corner.
“That’s what I thought.”

Fortunately, and to my relief, the Dean of Admission’s door opens and Kaz strides out. With a nod towards the exit, I jump to my feet and follow him out. An anxious knot twists in my stomach. Did the Dean of Admission accept my letter of recommendation? Am I enrolled into Alcove?

Kaz doesn’t utter a sound until we’ve left the office. Only as we march past the bickering portraits, does he answer my unspoken questions, “Congratulations, you are officially an Acolyte at Alcove Academy. Your schedule and map of the building.”

I blink when, out of nowhere, he holds two folded pamphlets towards me. I mutter a thanks and open the one with the map. Imagine my pleasant surprise to find that it shows exactly what where I am at this very moment.

“The schedule will update by itself after you’ve taken your aptitude test tomorrow,” he continues bluntly.

“As for the map, it will show you where to find your dorm and classes, as well as the quickest route to get there on time. Don’t bother travelling via two-way mirrors, only Alcove staff has jurisdiction to do so.”

“Wait,” I speak up before he bombards me with more information. “Aptitude test?”

Kaz slows his pace as we reach the foot of a staircase. “Yes. Aptitude test. Where your aptitude will be measured to determine which classes you’ll take. The higher your aptitude, the more challenging the class.”

I nod slowly. It makes sense…but every instinct inside me screams at me to abort. To turn around and go home while it’s not too late.

“What…what if my aptitude…” How do I even word the question?

What if my aptitude is too high for an untrained and uneducated Magian?
What if it’s a dead giveaway for my wild magic?

However, Kaz surprises me when he moves in front of me, blocking my view from the staircase and wherever it might lead. For a moment, he almost seems empathetic. It’s a welcome change from the man who ten minutes ago humbled a woman who tried flirting with him.

“The aptitude test only measures your potential,” he says slowly, letting his words sink in. “Considering you never received any formal magical education, it’s possible that your essence might be stronger than you were taught to believe. That, or it’s as average as you claimed it to be. Only the test will tell.”

“Okay,” I whisper, focusing on controlling my racing heart.

There is no use in dreading over it now. I should focus on why I’m here, instead. As long as I think of Zari and the blight, there’ll be no room left for the fear of the unknown.

“Well then,” Kaz breaks the silence and points at the staircase, “this will lead you to the dormitories. Use your map to find your room. Everything you’ll need for class is already there.”

Nodding absentmindedly, I barely notice him turning to leave. Blinking from my trance, I call after him.

“Wait, will I see you around?” He’s the only one I know around here, and the only one who I can ask for help.

“I’ll find you after class to show you where we keep the infected Acolytes,” he answers without looking back.

And that’s the last I see of Kaz before he enters another corridor and disappears from view, leaving me to find my dorm by myself.