Seeing an airship up close for the first time should have been exhilarating. It was my dream to travel, to see the world and explore in a way that simulators just didn’t allow. But when the engines sang their harmony and four vast shimmering sails spread out, my heart sank. The ship would leave soon, but I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye.

“It’s okay, Dex; you’ll be right behind us, won’t you?” Dad said in his usual baritone whisper, that barely registered over all the noise.

I might’ve missed it entirely if he hadn’t placed a hand on my shoulder at the same moment.

“Yeah, Dad. Right behind you.” I nodded, willing a confident smile to stretch my lips.

Dad saw through it. He always did.

He leaned down letting his dark eyes meet mine.

"Dex, are you really ready for this? We can put in for a delay, stay home another six months, or at least until you have your spell tome and finish the first ranking battle.”

Fighting back tears, I shook my head. I couldn’t ask that. It wouldn’t be fair after everything they’d already given up and sacrificed for me. If they stayed, then it would mean a delay in pay and they might be stuck in some remote corner of Syrinthia instead of getting to cross the ocean to Terminia.

Mom had always wanted to see Terminia.

Moisture built in my eyes so I pushed forward into a hug, hoping Dad hadn’t noticed. “It’s fine,” I said, keeping my tone as even as possible. “I’ll graduate in record time and come join you!”

Dad squeezed me tight.

"You'll be the best mage they've ever seen," he whispered. The tremor in his voice was subtle, but I caught it and felt something inside twist painfully hard—as much pleasure mixed together with sorrow, guilt, fear...it all rolled tightly into one overwhelming feeling I couldn’t quite identify.

I nodded and forced a smile, stepping back from the embrace and wiping away the wetness at my eyes.

Dad straightened, and Mom hugged me next.

"You take care of yourself, Dex. Don’t go finding a girlfriend while I’m gone, even if she charms you! It’s my job to take care of you, so—”

"Mom!" I flushed, glancing around the crowd of people moving in and out of the shipyard. Fortunately there was no one I recognized, and everyone was mostly too busy saying their own goodbyes to be paying us any attention.

A magister enforcer with the number M.E. 1243 written on his chest approached. “All magisters and spell-tome hunters bound for Terminia, board the Adventure now. She departs in fifteen minutes wif or wiffou’cha!”

Dad and Mom exchanged glances, then turned back toward me.

"We should go." Mom sounded apologetic, but she didn't hesitate.

Dad nodded.

"We love you, Dex. You’ll do great, I know it."

He turned and walked toward the ramp.

Mom lingered a moment longer. "Don't be afraid to ask for help, and if you need anything at all, contact us!" Then she kissed my forehead and hurried to catch up with Dad.

I watched until they vanished in the crowd and all I could see was their distinctive dark hair amid the blues, greens, pinks, and every other color imaginable. I thought there’d be at least one other natch among the thousands traveling with them, but as they say, ‘only those who can’t afford to sculpt stay natural.’ As a magister there must’ve been tremendous pressure to get at least some modification done.

My parents never said so, but I knew they were worried about me. Worried that I wouldn’t be able to bond with a spell tome. Worried that I wouldn’t pass the ranking battles. Worried that I’d fall in with the wrong crowd…

My Magi-phone vibrated against my thigh. I pulled it out and saw a new message from my Mom on the screen.

 You didn’t forget your lunch right?

I smiled and tapped out a quick response.

 I have it. See you soon!

I hit send and slipped the device into my pocket.

The airship Adventure hummed a heartbreaking melody as it rose high into the sky with a slow but steady lift. Her four sails glimmered with magical energy that beat against the air like fins swimming through water. Sunlight glinted off her polished hull and reflected in a spectrum of color from her glass dome before the turtle shaped vessel vanished beyond the clouds.

“Well, Dex, I guess that's that.”

I took a deep breath and turned away, wiping any remaining moisture from my eyes. I had a long way to go to reach the academy, and I wasn’t about to miss my first day.

The dock was crowded with families still staring at the sky as if the ship would come back. A few of them were crying, but most seemed happy—proud. I was probably the only teen left on the dock by myself, but then I was also the only kid sending off his parents. For most it was the other way around, or it was a couple saying a temporary goodbye.

Unlike them, I didn’t have time to keep hanging around. I needed to get to the academy, so I began weaving my way through the crowd.

The path to Founder's Tower was simple and straightforward. It stood at the heart of the city, like a single endless needle piercing the sky. No matter where you were in Caldera, you could always see it.

I passed through the central business district. Making sure not to return the gaze of any sculpted tightwads. I’d have happily stayed out of their play place if it wasn’t right next to the aerodrome and the only way in or out of the dock. Magister enforcers walked with purpose, making rounds to ensure no trouble jumped off. But if anything did happen, I’d surely be blamed.

If it was any other day I might’ve been less deferential, but I couldn’t afford any delay. I’d already passed the written exams, but if I missed the M-genesis screening then I’d have to wait another year to enroll. Mom and Dad would both be disappointed. Mom might even find a way back home so she could make sure I didn’t fuck up again.

The city blurred by as I kept my head down and hurried toward the tower. Finally finding myself on the one of five wide staircases leading up to the building I slowed to a halt.

This wasn’t my first time seeing it, or even going inside, but my heart thumped with each step.

Is this really what I want?

I shook my head.

Of course it is! But then, why do my feet feel so heavy?

I looked down to confirm they hadn’t somehow been replaced with lead bricks while I wasn’t paying attention.

They were fine and I wasn’t standing on a curse rune or in some mire. Nothing was holding me back, but moving forward still felt impossible.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

It was just nerves.

I knew that, and yet my body wouldn’t obey.

I need to calm down.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Even with my eyes closed, I could feel magisters and thousands of aspiring hopefuls proceed on, breaking around me like waves crashing over a rock. Everyone wanted to be a magister, and The Society of Magical Things offered the best opportunity.

The crowd tightened around me, slowly pushing me forward with each shoulder bump. My throat tightened as the thought of what would happen if I failed the screening.

It won’t, dex. I’m not even sick, but—

“Dexter…” a heavy hand fell on my back, forcing me another step forward. Alex, a boy I met three weeks back at registration, stuck his face in mine with a goofy grin. “…I knew it was you!”

I attempted to smile back, but my face didn’t cooperate and just spasmed, like a startled cat, instead.

Alex laughed, though not unkindly, then shoved me into the stream of people ascending the stairs. He walked beside me, resting his arm over my shoulder. “I didn’t expect to find you frozen on the stairs.”

“Well, I…uhm…”

“You were so confident before.”

“I was just—”

“What happened?” he asked, finally taking a moment to listen. 

Clenching my fists in my pocket, my apprehension returned. I still wanted to be a magister, but I was less certain. I’d talked about this day for so long with my parents, but now that they were gone, things felt… different.

A girl with copper skin and short hair pushed past me from behind. As she continued up the stairs, she spun around singing, “Move it, loser!” Then she spun around again, seeming not to notice that her skirt was way too short for stairs—or even walking. It barely extended past her loose white blouse and did almost nothing to cover her ass.

A trio of what could only be described as copycats bumped past me one after the other as they followed behind the first girl, matching her every step. Instead of chiding me, each girl spun round to make a face, sticking out their tongues and pulling down an eyelid with a finger, before continuing up the steps. They had all the same designer blouses and mini skirts. Their make up and nails even seemed to match. Down to the last hair clip. I was all but certain they planned the look, though only the first wore it comfortably.

It was also clear they came from well connected and wealthy magister families. Not even a hermit would mistake the horned purple raven on their backs. They were wearing Ravenor, the most expensive line of magic infused clothes designed by the most talented weaver. Every garment was custom fit and imbued, so only the owner knew what enchantments were on their clothes.

Alex grinned at them then gave me a wink.

I shook my head in reply. “I hope I don’t end up in the same class as them.” I added.

Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "You're just saying that, but you couldn’t keep your eyes off that manicured ass."

"What?” My eyes went wide with embarrassment. “No I wasn’t looking at—wait, manicured?”

“Yea, no way all four of them were born with the same features.”

My mouth gaped open as Alex laughed. I hadn’t looked close enough to notice, but now I was curious. If I saw them together again I’d have to see if he was right.

Alex hurried up the stairs, calling back, “Come on, we’re going to be late at this rate.”

Setting aside my hesitations, I hurried after him.

At the top I raced into the building, ignoring signs directing newcomers. I already knew where to go.

Founder’s Tower was almost like a city all on its own. The Society of Magical Things had everything from entertainment and food to office space and classrooms. They also owned the largest spell tome library and the only tome training program; that’s why their academy of magic and science was the ideal pathway to becoming a magister.

The only drawback of attending the academy was that every student had to take an M-genesis test annually instead of once every five years.

Peace of mind will come after the needle, I promised myself, repeating what Dad always said.

Inside the main lobby wispy clouds hung low, and concrete paths dividing grass lawns. Each path passed between sets of buildings connected by glass arches with large windows. Inside each arch there would be a receptionist or clerk who would verify identity and credentials; in some cases they issued uniforms as well.

The weather was different—more pleasant, but the space was still as shocking as my first visit. Back then I had turned around and gone back outside to confirm if I’d actually entered a massive skyscraper.

This was far from my first visit and I didn’t need to double check, but I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to it.

There were nine paths in all, each steaming from a radial slab at the main entrance and seemed to go on forever in a single direction. I followed the second path, stopping at the window and pressing my palm to the glass.

A line of blue light outlined my hand then it flashed green. The clerk nodded and I went on.

As I stepped past the end of the building my surroundings changed.

I was in a hallway with fluorescent lighting and tile floors. A row of doors marked off rooms along one wall while a larger room filled most of the rest of the space.

The clinic was bustling with students. Many sat on row chairs, waiting their turn for testing. Alex was leaning against a wall trying to look cool, with his arms crossed and a distant gaze that seemed to say ‘whatever.’

He looked dumb. He looked even dumber when he nodded me over and I mentally rolled my eyes, regretting making eye contact.

I seriously debated ignoring him, but I thought it might be good to have at least one friend in the academy. I made my way over.

Alex had brown hair and eyes, freckles and a smile that could make anyone envious. Still he didn’t seem to have many friends, yet. Probably because he was a natch, like me. He dressed well, but not in designer clothes and given his natural hair color and painfully average appearance, there was no chance he came from money. He was probably the first in his family to try becoming a magister. Or at least the first to make it past exams.

“Hey,” he said as I got close. “You look nervous.”

“Do I?” I asked, only then realizing I was squeezing my hands into fists and then loosening them as if I held a stress ball.

He smiled, "It'll be okay."

I nodded, forcing my hands to be still then shoving them in my pockets when they still refused.

"There's no shame in being nervous," Alex added, thoughtfully.

He sounded just like my dad, which was more unsettling.

He rolled his eyes, "Come on, you don't have to try so hard to act cool."

"What?" I practically laughed.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” whispering he continued, “I hate needles too. If it helps, pretend they're sharks or something."

I couldn’t hold back. A laugh burst from my lips before I could stop it.

Alex grinned at the response, seeming genuinely pleased.

"Don't worry, Dex," he said with a wink. "You'll be just fine."

“Maole,” a nurse called from an open medical room door.

A collective gasp rippled through the waiting room. heads swiveled as everyone seemed curious who would respond. Whispers erupted and chatter followed.

Alex chortled. "These idiots actually think Solari has a family. There’s no way that old—”

“Dexter Maole,” the nurse said louder.

“Maele,” I corrected as I approached the door.

With an upturned nose, the nurse scoffed, “Yeah, that’s what I said.”

It wasn’t, but I knew arguing was pointless and it wouldn’t do anything about all the eyes now glued to my back either. The nurse checked my student ID against her tablet then sent me on my way.

Inside the small exam room a man wearing a black lab coat was scribbling something on a clipboard. His name badge hung from a chest pocket and read: Dr. John Zaxxon. He had snow white hair, his skin was wrinkly and there were more freckles on him than I could count. A faint scar marred his cheek, which I found especially unusual. Someone in his position should’ve been able to afford sculpting if he wasn’t capable himself. As a doctor it was almost certain he had a tome of creation.

He looked up from his clipboard when I walked in. Standing, he motioned for me to sit down on the table, but when I hesitated he frowned. "If you don't want to be here just leave."

"I—um," I stuttered, but eventually sat, as instructed.

“Feeling any pain currently?” He asked.

“No.”

“Any irritation or tightness of the chest in the last twenty four hours?”

I shook my head.

“Good, then hold out your arm and make a fist. This should be done quickly.”

Dr. Zaxxon snapped on a pair of rubber gloves, picked up a long needle and slid it into my vein. It hurt worse than I remembered, but I kept my eyes fixed on the wall.

“Clear,” he said, as he pulled the needle out. “Elevated white blood cells, but no sign of M.”

He disposed of the needle, then touched a spiral bound notepad on his desk as he ran his hand over my wound. With a half hearted smile, he said “Good to go, but come back in a week just in case.”

The blood was gone and there was no evidence that I’d ever been stuck. He must’ve had a tome of creation after all. I slid off the table and got to the door before realizing what he said. Spinning around I asked, “Wait, what do you mean ‘just in case?’ Just in case what?”

“In case you have M, what else?”

Unsure what to say, I stared at him blankly.

He rolled his eyes, sighed, then waved me out saying, “If there’s nothing else, then go on, you’re holding up the line.”

His nurse opened the door with a plastic smile then let it swing shut behind me.

Alex was by my side in an instant, smiling like he had just found an original spell tome. “Dex, buddy, pal! Are you really related to—”

"He said just in case..."

"Huh?” Alex backed up a step, his face twisted awkwardly.

"Never mind.” I grimaced. “I should get to class.”