“Before any of you touch a spell tome, we need to go over some basic rules and concepts. I expect all of you to pay close attention because I will not repeat this information again.”

Professor Kaylastal spoke with an intensity that didn’t fit his small frame.

He paced back and forth as he continued, his eyes shifting from student to student. His movements, tense and deliberateas they were still managed to appear casual. He carried the weight of authority in every step and demanded respect with his gaze, but wasn’t a hardness or even his magic that made him so intimidating. There was something sinister about the boy that made him feel more akin to a predator stalking prey than a teacher lecturing his students.

Even if he was just a child, he had a presence equally as grand as any battle hardened magister.

“Who knows what a spell tome is?” He asked, his voice sharp and clear.

When no one volunteered to answer, I raised my hand.

He nodded toward me and I stood.

My mind felt fuzzy with anxiety, but I pushed it away. “They are books of magic that contain the knowledge of spells and how to use them. All spells are kept in books called spell tomes. They are sentient and alive, so they can take human formand they can communicate and learn through experience or study.”

The professor slow clapped. “Textbook definition, good job, Maole.”

It didn’t exactly feel like he meant the compliment, but he definitely mispronounced my name intentionally.

I sat down.

With a grin, Professor Kaylastal continued, “That is the best explanation I've heard in some time. So let's get on to a more complex topic. Who can tell me the difference between a spell tome and a magister?”

“Why do we have to answer these basic questions? All of us passed the entrance exam already or we wouldn’t be here, right?” Jyanna snapped.

The professor stopped pacing and shifted his gaze to look to her without turning.

A chill ran down my spine and my breath caught in my chest as I prepared for another drop into hell. A dark shadow crept over his face and his smile grew unnaturally wide.

“Ms. Myrtle…” professor Kaylastal began, his voice grating and harsh. “…you aren’t at all required to answer my questions; however, if you prefer not to answer and demonstrate your knowledge, then I’ll be forced to provide you with an in-depth demonstration to ensure you are truly prepared to handle the responsibilities of a magister. Do you understand what I mean, Ms. Myrtle?”

I gulped hard, silently praying, holy founder please spare me this torment. Let him punish her but, please please leave me out of it.

Jyanna’s mouth opened and shut several times as if she was trying to respond, but couldn’t. Then she slowly nodded her head, answering yes.

Professor Kaylastal sighed, his face returned to normal and he resumed his pacing. He seemed disappointed, but not surprised by the answer.

I exhaled deeply, finally releasing the breath I had been holding.

“Well, since you understand, why don’t you give us the answer.” He glanced at her, then turned his attention back to the class.

I wondered how he could so easily turn off his aura of dread and intimidation.

Jyanna cleared her throat and said, “Magisters can’t use magic without a spell tome because we can’t directly channel mana. Spell tomes can’t cast magic without a magister because they lack imagination or the ability to direct mana. Is that the answer you were looking for?”

I shuddered. It was more subtle, but she was still testing him.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

He didn't seem to notice or care.

Donovan smiled a wry grin, looking pleased with himself as he spoke. “A magister's body is fully able to channel mana; however doing so is forbidden!”

“Yeah, that’s what I meant.”

“Then say so yourself next time.” He growled as he glared at her.

Jyanna broke from his gaze, lowering her face to look at her desk.

Then the child professor turned away, facing the class once again. I held my breath, hoping the professor would just move on to the next topic.

“Now I’m sure I don’t have to remind you of what happens to the foolish souls that attempt to cast magic directly—” he stopped, looking at the class though his dark gaze settled on no one in particular. “—do I?”

Everyone shook their heads.

Good, now please leave it at that.

Professor Kaylastal smiled with satisfaction as he said, “Good.”

With a sigh, I leaned back in my seat.

That’s the end of it.

“You’re all such bright little dimwits; I wonder if anyone can tell me, what’s the greatest mistake a magister can make?”

My heart leapt into my throat as the professor’s hungry gaze swept over me.

The answer seemed simple, but the cunning in his eye made me doubt myself.

It had to be the fact he’d just mentioned, but my gut told me it must be something else. When his vicious gaze hovered back toward me, I shrank in my seat.

Please pick someone else, please pick someone else…

“I—is—is—isn’t it using magi—”

“I—I—I—is something wrong with your voice?” The professor boomed? “If you’re going to speak in my classroom, you’d better do so clearly and confidently. I don’t understand gibberish, so go ahead and try that again Mr…”

I looked over my shoulder to a boy three rows up. His whole body trembled as his jaw hung open. He looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Professor Kaylastal was already walking in his direction when I turned around to watch him approach. He stopped in front of the boy's desk then stood tiptoed to look into his eyes. Tears poured down his cheeks, but his lips still couldn’t form words.

After a few seconds, the professor stepped back and said, “When you find your tongue, feel free to share your thoughts, but if you’re just going to blubber, then it’s best you don’t waste my time.”

Kaylastal turned away.

The boy looked relieved as he let out a deep breath, but when our eyes met his face grew even paler. He swallowed hard and turned away.

The professor returned to the front of the room and sat on his desk, letting his feet swing like an innocent child.

It was unsettling how easily his aura seemed to change. One moment he was a terrifying demon ready to unleash hell, and the next he was a cute little mascot, or a cherubic angel.

I couldn't relax, or justify having ever viewed him as harmless. His perfect holy innocence only made him seem more dangerous, like a deranged psycho that might slit a throat any second and then tell jokes to the cadaver the next.

He continued speaking in a cheerful voice, “The greatest mistake a magister can make is being over confident.”

The tension in the room eased slightly as people seemed to agree.

The professor went on, “Overconfidence in battle means death. In life it leads to overlooking enemies. Most importantly though, is the relationship between you and your spell tome. Don’t ever believe you are the master, and the tome a simple tool. As sentient beings, they are not your slaves or servants. They will not follow orders blindly. They think, but are not subject to the deception of emotions like you and me.

“Your spell tome is not your friend, it is not your confidant. It is an entity that will never share your sentiments. No matter how sweet you are to it, or how sweet it is to you, I assure you that your spell tome does not love you. They are all unique and each has its own set of quirks and ticks, but the key to your survival and growth as a magister lies in understanding the complexities of your tome and exactly how it views you.”

The professor's words made my head spin.

Tomes are alive and sentient, but they don't have emotions? What does that mean?

“Remember what I’ve just said students, otherwise you won’t survive the week.”

No one dared to say a word.

Professor Kaylastal smiled then said, "Now, let's get to the fun part, shall we?"

He hopped off the desk and clapped his hands together. “Are you ready to meet the wonderful instrument of magic that’ll guide you to a sure and painful death?”

The class remained silent.

“Well, are you ready or not?” He asked with a grin, “If you’ve already gotten cold feet, then feel free to leave now.”

Professor Kaylastal was met with more silence. Students shifted in their seats, myself included, but no one got up to leave. He smiled again and said, “Then follow me.”