Ding. Registering Complete. Accept upgrade.

Kaz ignored the system. It had the worst timing and he couldn’t handle it right now.

The entire group stood frozen, mesmerized and horrified. They were before a cluster of buildings made from the same material as Abyss Dorm. The structures looked like something out of a dark fairy tale nestled into a forest of white-leaved trees. The most eye-catching was a looming tower, its spire piercing the sky. Weathered black stone walls were cloaked in ivy–the twisting green vines seemed to choke the tower while at the same time holding crumbling pieces together. Light glimmered from narrow windows dotted along its length.

Below it sat other buildings that were shorter but no less magnificent. Their stone walls were equally weathered, but etched with intricate carvings and symbols. Terrifying figures Kaz could only liken to gargoyles sat perched atop the battlements. Buttresses swept out from the walls like skeletal wings, their curves a mix of elegant and imposing. The rooftops of the buildings were steep and jagged, decorated with finials and spires.

Even in its silence, the university seemed alive. The walls breathed, listening, and Kaz could imagine the ghostly bustle of students in the hallways blended with the occasional creak of ancient wood or the soft rustle of something unseen. It was a place where secrets lingered and magic felt like part of the air you breathed.

“All it's missing is fog,” Tristen said.

“Steam. It’s too cold for fog.” Luther was whispering, shifting from foot to foot.

“Leave it to teenage boys to ruin the moment.” Pink Dress-Zyaire said. She huffed. “These are the first gothic-style buildings to ever be created. They redefined architecture on the continent.”

“We know, but they look like a ton of old builds just more menacing. The ones in the capital use carved stone and have those black dirt lines–”

Anna flipped her hair, moving closer to Kaz. “That’s because Nioroma is poor, they can’t afford to use kur for all their buildings.”

“Anna, we don’t use kur for all our buildings either.” Pink Dress-Zyaire looked odd, with a square bulge distorting her uniform jacket. “Kur is mostly used for the inside finishes.”

“Yes, yes. You’re well known for your love of everything old.”

“Why are we standing here? I want to get something to eat.” This was a girl Kaz didn’t know. She had a rough voice contrasting her delicate appearance. Her skin was paler than Kaz thought possible, and as she spoke, he could see long canines jutting out from her bottom teeth. They just poked out and pressed against her lips with her mouth closed. “Frier of Mola,” she said, introducing herself. She didn’t bow, instead thumping her hand on her chest.

Frier was met with mixed reactions; some seemed unconcerned but others shifted uncomfortably. Kaz glanced at Zyaire, but she shook her head. Even Tristan who seemed oblivious to social niceties looked uncomfortable.

“We are heading to class first,” Kaz said. This was what he was going to struggle the most with. He could learn everything from books, but there would be little social customs and norms that he would never know or understand. “On my schedule, we have a physical at the white tower set for eight. And then the class the headmaster said at nine and then a campus tour at twelve.”

“And you didn’t tell everyone else?”

Kaz looked in the crowd. At first, Kaz couldn’t tell who’d spoken, but the crowd parted and the boy was left isolated, looking at the others with an expression of betrayal. It was the beady-eyed boy who’d complained to the headmaster and been silenced. Unfortunately, the spell hadn’t been permanent.

“Why did you follow us? Did you know where we were going?” Kaz asked. “Why didn’t you call the others? I’m telling you now. Who has a problem with that?” Kaz didn’t wait for an answer he looked at his compass and followed the pointer.

They came to what Kaz assumed was building three. “What kind of wood is this? Kaz asked.

“Sycarius, that’s the only plant that naturally grows here on the archipelago,” Luther said.

It was a deep redwood that resembled blood and felt many mutated plants Kaz had seen. It unsettled him, but he pushed the door open, stepping into a room that was such a stereotypical classroom, it shocked him for some reason. Maybe he’d expected something more morbid, like organs in jars. That would fit the atmosphere of the school. Instead, they’d stepped into a circular lecture hall. Rows of tiered desks and chairs rose in concentric rings, each a level higher than the last. Its design angled every seat towards the central stage, ensuring every student had a clear view of the speaker below.

On the low center platform, stood a lectern, desk, and chair in which a woman sat. She looked at our group filing in with undisguised shock. “Wow, the headmaster wasn’t lying, You're a decently useful bunch. Come on, get in–everyone grab a seat. Pick one you're comfortable with because you can’t switch seats later.” When everyone was seated she gave a nod. “Less than half of you, but better turn out than most year groups.” She hopped onto the desk and snapped her fingers sending papers flying at the students.

Kaz caught his. It was a blank piece of paper. He still checked it twice, not trusting it to be blank.

When everyone had the papers, the teacher started talking. “I’m Talia Marie Eytel, your year supervisor and spellwork teacher. I’m sure you’ve guessed it, but this is your first class of the year–the only mandatory class for the semester. If you had missed this class, you would have received thirty demerits and been automatically enrolled for winter extra lessons. This isn’t just a strange and unusual punishment thought up by the devilish past leaders of this school, it serves as a valuable lesson. What is magic?”

Several hands shot up.

“Yes,” she said, pointing to one of the seven girls. “Introduce yourself and then answer.”

She stood, doing a half-bobbed curtsy to the room. “I’m Sophia Carmine. Magic is the use of mana to move, change, or create.”

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“Thank you, Sophia,” Talia said, motioning for the girl to sit. “A textbook answer that sums it up perfectly. Magic is that simple. We apply mana and something happens, but what would you say to a different question? What does magic mean to you?”

Chatter started in the room as the students discussed among themselves.

Pink Dress-Zyaire held up her hand.

The teacher nodded.

She did the same little bob. “I’m Princess Zyaire Solene Katz. Isn’t that subjective?”

Talia nodded.

Tristan put up his hand. “I’m Tristen Eytel. Magic is pursuit. It’s the pursuit of creation, or change, or movement. Magic is the application of mana to enforce the will and desires of the caster.”

“Oh!,” Talia said, clapping her hands. “Finally a useful brother. Yes,” she said, pointing to Tristan. “Magic at its core is the pursuit of the caster’s desires. Should you learn nothing else at Killingworth, you will learn the art of pursuit. This school gives no handouts. Everything you receive, hear, and see must be scrutinized. You’ve all received your low-level manuals?” There was a chorus of yeses. “How many of you started cultivating?” There were glances before a few hands crept into the air. “How many of you know what the building you passed to get to this classroom is?” More tentative glances.

Kaz raised his hand. His name would spread, so he better get it out of the way and try to control the narrative. It was also amusing to see his cousin go purple in the face. “Ignacius with a c Kaz’myr Blake Huxley. It’s the C.D. Pots Library.”

Talia’s eyes widened bugging out of her face. She hopped off the desk before seeming to catch herself. “Yes,” she said, looking at him for a second longer before addressing the entire class. “The C.D. Pots library is filled with mid-level manuals that are either free to use or can be earned with house points. There are even a few high-level manuals that have conditional use. Reasonable conditions–like working at the school for five years after graduation or being a fellow on a research project for your tenure at Killingworth. Did you think you would be commended for starting before the others? Did you want to prove yourself? Neither of those are wrong motives and I say this not to discourage you, but knowledge is your friend. Every decision in your magical journey must be carefully considered.”

A shaky hand was raised in the air. “Amyr Orce. What should I do?” he asked, on the verge of tears.

“For a fee, you can make an appointment with your house mistress to have your cultivation abolished and start over. You will also need several potions to stabilize your mana so there aren’t any lasting ill effects.”

Amyr’s head drooped.

“Magic is expensive,” Kaz said without meaning to.

“Please raise your hand if you want to speak, but yes. That is another lesson you will learn. Talent means nothing in the face of resources. A person with one-in-a-million talent, but using a low-level manual will never make it past the third circle. In the same breath, a person with rubbish talent who can’t even feel mana can get to the fifth circle using a high-level manual and to the seventh with an unlimited supply of mana stones.”

Another girl raised her hand. “Amelia SuNal. Why aren’t people with talent given more opportunities?”

“Say what you mean. Why aren’t people with talent given special treatment? You’re already convinced it has to do with your birth status. The nobles monopolize magic and all that, but you want the truth? Magical talent isn’t needed in peace. Magical talent is useless unless you're born into a family that wants to nurture it. Notice I didn’t say talent is useless–just magical talent. If any of you show the slightest competence in potioneering you will be snapped up by the Green Tower and plied with all the ingredients your little heart desires. Can you swing a hammer? Are you interested in crafting? The Red Tower has workshops on Saturdays. The slightest hint you have the knack for it and they’ll house you until you meet the requirements to get into Eternal Sanctum. Talent is cherished. No nation or school won't bend over backward to have you if you have magical talent paired with another talent.”

Amelia didn’t look discouraged. Instead, she looked determined.

Thalia hopped off the table, holding up a piece of paper similar to the one she distributed earlier. “Some of you might already know your elemental affiliation. A select few might have already started manifesting or using null spells. This paper will help those who don’t know test your affinity. Hold the paper clasped between your hands,” as she spoke she demonstrated. “Close your eyes and imagine a stream flowing through your body. The stream starts from your navel flowing up and swirling around your heart. Then push the flow up and along your arms towards your palms.”

Kaz felt silly doing it, but the longer he focused the easier it was to distinguish two streams running in his body. One was more powerful, almost stifling the other. Z-factor was the name they’d given to the energy flowing in mutants. It was orgone converted by zombies into crystals and then absorbed by mutants. Z-factor wasn’t a stream. It permeated every inch of his body. Mana, on the other hand, flowed along paths similar to blood vessels. It was hard, but he held back z-factor and pushed mana out of his palms. Kaz opened his eyes, looking at the paper that was pitch black.

He peeked at Tristen's paper which was mostly red with flecks of gold. Nathan’s paper was all gold. Luther’s paper was green with parts that were still white. Whatever that result meant the boy was thrilled, he bounced on the spot.

“Has everyone's paper changed colors? Hold up your hand if yours hasn’t.” When no hands went up Thalia continued. “Red means fire. Brown-earth. Gold-light. Black-black. Green-plant/nature. Blue-water/ice. If the paper remains white-spirit or null magic. Most of you will have more than one color. That means you can pick a direction to specialize in. Those with one color usually have overwhelming talent in that area, but you have no options. Think about your results before finding a corresponding manual. If your families gave you manuals, evaluate their suitability. I can understand family pressure, but this is a path you have to walk.”

The paper in Kaz’s hand caught on fire. He itched to pull out his notebook but Kaz didn’t want to use it in front of the teacher. He could only imagine what the headmaster had thought when he saw Kaz using it.

“Next order of business. What is the difference between a circle and a layer?” No one raised their hands. The mood of the class was more somber, everyone perched on the edge of their chairs. “A mana circle is a ring of pure mana formed around the heart and it indicates the level of spells you can use and is a general reflection of your strength. Cultivation increases the mana in your body which will be used to form mana circles. As of now, the highest number of mana circles formed by a made is twelve. Mana layer refers to the casting ability of your mana. Increasing your mana layer level will be easier if you have multiple elements. For example, Henri Croy, master of the Black Tower here at Killingworth is a seven-circle mage but Master Croy is at the second layer and can only cast dark attribute spells and ice attribute spells. There are different schools of thought, but it’s generally best to focus on increasing the level of your mana circle–”

She hopped off the desk and walked to a chalkboard. “--The classes you will take in your first year are meditating 101, spellwork, spell crafting, enchanting, Alchemy, potions, and magicrafting. After your first year, you will choose two to specialize in and will have electives. The electives to choose from will be explained then. The class at nine will be Meditating 101, I suggest you have a manual by then.”

Hands rose in the air, and Kaz identified them as the people who’d started cultivating using the low-level manuals.

“The appointments for Mrs. Pots aren’t available until next week.”

“Yes, Thalia said. “And she takes three to four appointments a day. By the way, please introduce yourself.”

The boy looked around. “Nero Brown. Why does that matter?”

“Make an appointment and you’ll see.”

The boy tapped his finger on his badge before bursting into tears.

“Take that as another lesson. While you were asking questions others had already taken the initiative, they’d started the pursuit.”

Ding. Accept upgrade or lose privileges. Penalty applied.

Kaz felt dizzy. The room swirled as darkness swallowed him. He tried to press accept, but he didn’t know if he succeeded.