I awoke before dawn, my mind clear despite the unfamiliar surroundings. In my previous life, William had prepared for countless academic evaluations—doctoral defenses, peer reviews, grant committees. This examination would be different in substance but not in nature: a test designed to evaluate capability under pressure.
The small room was cold, the fire in the hearth having died during the night. Rather than rekindle it conventionally, I traced a modified fire sigil in the air.
"ingnaethermo regularis, "i whispered
Instead of producing a direct flame, the spell created a sustained thermal field that gradually raised the temperature of the entire room. This modification conserved magical energy while producing more practical heating—an application of thermodynamic principles from my previous life.
As I dressed in the initiate's robe provided—a plain gray garment without the colored trim that designated established students—a sharp knock sounded at my door.
"Examination begins in thirty minutes," a voice called. "Proceed to the Assembly Hall."
I took a moment to center myself, placing Sylphi's blue stone in my pocket. Then I stepped into the corridor, where other initiates were already moving toward the examination. Most appeared several years older than my physical age, and all wore expressions ranging from nervous anticipation to barely concealed terror.
A thin boy with spectacles fell into step beside me. "You're the young one everyone's talking about," he observed without preamble. "The baron's son who caught Duke Ragna's attention."
"Arthur Valistein," I introduced myself, studying him. He had the callused fingers of someone who spent hours writing, and ink stains marked his knuckles.
"Felix Thorne," he replied.
The surname caught my attention. "Any relation to Master Caius Thorne?"
Felix nodded. "My uncle. He wrote to me about you—said to offer assistance if needed." He lowered his voice. "Also said you're smarter than most of the professors here, though I wasn't to repeat that."
Despite the tension of the moment, I smiled. "Your uncle exaggerates."
"He doesn't," Felix replied seriously. "And after what happened with Lord Cedric yesterday, you might need allies. He's gathered a following of upper-class initiates already."
We entered the Assembly Hall—an enormous circular chamber with tiered seating surrounding a central arena. Stone statues of past Archmages stood in niches around the perimeter, their unseeing eyes seeming to evaluate all who entered.
Professor Caelum stood in the center, surrounded by a semicircle of seven other professors in differently colored robes—representing, I presumed, the seven elemental disciplines.
"Initiates, form a circle," Professor Caelum commanded.
The thirty-some candidates, myself included, arranged ourselves around the professors. I noticed Cedric Ragna standing directly across from me, flanked by two larger boys with aristocratic bearing. He caught my gaze and smirked.
"The examination has three phases," Professor Caelum announced. "First, elemental affinity testing. Second, practical application. Third, theoretical knowledge. Those who pass all three will be formally accepted as students of The Arcanum Spire and assigned to appropriate dormitories."
He gestured to a pedestal that rose from the floor, upon which sat a clear crystal orb the size of a human head.
"The Affinity Sphere will measure your magical resonance with each element. Step forward when called."
Names were announced alphabetically. Each candidate approached the sphere, placed both hands upon it, and channeled their magical energy. The sphere would glow with colors corresponding to their elemental affinities—red for fire, blue for water, brown for earth, and so on. Most students showed strong affinity for one element, occasionally weak resonance with a second.
"Cedric Ragna," Professor Caelum eventually called.
Cedric stepped forward confidently, placing his hands on the orb with practiced ease. The sphere blazed brilliant red, with smaller flickers of yellow lightning dancing at its core.
"Strong fire affinity, moderate lightning affinity," announced the fire professor, a severe-looking woman with ember-colored eyes. "Excellent potential."
Cedric bowed slightly to the professors before returning to his place, shooting me another smug look.
Several more students were tested before my name was called. As I approached the crystal, I could feel the tension in the room. My age alone made me an object of curiosity; Duke Ragna's interest added political significance.
"Remember," Professor Caelum said quietly as I reached the pedestal, "the sphere reacts to innate affinity, not learned skill. Do not attempt to influence the results."
I nodded, placing my hands on the cool crystal surface. The moment contact was made, I felt a peculiar sensation—as if something was probing my magical core, testing resonance patterns.
The sphere began to glow, first with a steady red flame that matched Cedric's display. Then blue water currents swirled within, followed by crackling yellow lightning. These three elements churned within the sphere in nearly equal intensity.
Murmurs spread through the assembly. Three strong affinities was rare enough to attract attention.
Then, something unexpected happened. At the very center of the sphere, a spot of absolute darkness appeared—a void that seemed to consume the light around it rather than emit its own. The darkness affinity my mother had warned me to conceal was revealing itself, despite my attempt to suppress it.
The murmurs turned to gasps. Professor Caelum's eyes narrowed, while the professor in black robes—the darkness specialist—leaned forward with sudden interest.
"Four affinities," he stated, his voice a deep rumble. "Fire, water, and lightning in equal measure, with darkness present but less developed. I have not seen such a pattern in thirty years of teaching."
I removed my hands from the sphere, the glow fading immediately. The damage was done—my darkness affinity was now public knowledge.
"Interesting," Professor Caelum said neutrally. "Continue with the testing."
As I returned to my place, the atmosphere had shifted. Other initiates either stared openly or deliberately avoided my gaze. Felix gave me a sympathetic look, while Cedric's expression had darkened considerably.
After the final initiate was tested, the professors conferred briefly before Professor Caelum addressed us again.
"The second phase begins now. You will demonstrate practical application of your primary elemental affinity."
With a wave of his hand, the floor of the arena reconfigured itself, sections rising and falling to create a complex landscape of barriers, platforms, and obstacles.
"Initiates will attempt this course one at a time," he explained. "You may use any spells you know to navigate from entrance to exit. You are evaluated on efficiency, control, and innovation. Physical contact with the floor is permitted, but magical traversal is encouraged."
Again, names were called alphabetically. Some initiates performed impressively, using their magic to overcome obstacles with varying degrees of success. Others struggled, particularly when faced with obstacles that countered their primary element.
When Cedric's turn came, he executed a flawless performance, using fire magic to propel himself over gaps, melt through certain barriers, and create controlled explosions to clear paths. The fire professor nodded approvingly as he completed the course in record time.
Finally, my name was called.
As I stepped to the entrance of the course, I assessed the obstacles analytically. The conventional approach would be to use a single element throughout—demonstrating mastery of one's primary affinity. But Professor Caelum had mentioned innovation as a criterion.
I decided to take a calculated risk.
For the first obstacle—a deep pit—I used standard fire propulsion to launch myself across, matching the technique Cedric and others had employed. For the second—a wall of cascading water that would neutralize fire magic—I switched to lightning, using electromagnetic repulsion to part the waters temporarily.
The professors exchanged glances as I continued through the course, strategically selecting the optimal element for each challenge. Where others had forced their primary affinity to overcome all obstacles, I adapted flexibly.
The final obstacle was the most challenging: a chamber where magical energy seemed to dissipate rapidly, weakening any conventional spell. Several initiates had barely managed to cross it, their magic flickering and fading.
Here, I drew upon knowledge from my previous life—specifically, wave interference patterns. I created a hybrid spell combining water and lightning in a specific configuration.
"Aqua Fulmen Resonare," I incanted.
The spell created a self-reinforcing energy pattern that resisted the dampening effect of the chamber, allowing me to generate a stable platform of electrified water that carried me through to the exit.
As I completed the course, silence reigned in the Assembly Hall. Then the darkness professor began to slow clap.
"Adaptive elemental transition," he commented. "And that final technique... most interesting."
Professor Caelum's expression remained unreadable. "The theoretical examination begins after midday meal. You are dismissed until then."
As the initiates filed out, Felix caught up with me. "That was incredible! How did you counter the null chamber?"
Before I could respond, a shadow fell across our path. Cedric Ragna stood there, his two companions flanking him.
"Impressive performance, Valistein," he said, his voice carrying just enough volume to draw attention from nearby students. "Almost as if you knew the course in advance."
"The design was logical," I replied evenly. "Each obstacle was meant to challenge different aspects of magical control."
His eyes narrowed. "And the darkness affinity? I wasn't aware the Valistein line carried such... questionable heritage."
Several initiates who had gathered to listen shifted uncomfortably. Darkness magic still carried stigma from the Shadow Wars centuries ago.
"Elements themselves are neutral," I stated firmly. "Their moral quality depends entirely on how they're used."
"Pretty words," Cedric sneered. "My father will be interested to hear about this development. He's always curious about... unusual talents."
The threat was thinly veiled. Duke Ragna's interest in me had just intensified, exactly as my mother had feared.
"I look forward to the theoretical examination, Lord Cedric," I said, deliberately changing the subject. "I hear you excel at magical theory."
His expression suggested my information was incorrect, but pride prevented him from acknowledging it. "We'll see who excels, won't we?"
After he departed with his entourage, Felix exhaled shakily. "You handled that well."
"He's insecure," I observed. "Talented in practice but likely weak in theory. He'll be particularly hostile after the next examination."
"That's what worries me," Felix replied. "Cedric doesn't handle humiliation gracefully. Last term, before formal enrollment, a commoner outperformed him in a practice duel. The boy mysteriously fell down a staircase that night. Multiple fractures. He withdrew his application."
I absorbed this information grimly. "Thanks for the warning."
---
The theoretical examination took place in a vast library—not the main Academy library, I was told, but a secondary collection specifically for initiates. Still, it contained more magical texts than I had ever seen in one place.
Each initiate was assigned a separate reading alcove with a enchanted examination scroll. As we took our seats, the scrolls activated simultaneously, revealing a series of increasingly complex magical theory questions.
I scanned the questions quickly:
1. Describe the fundamental energy transition when converting between fire and lightning elements.
2. Calculate the magical efficiency loss when channeling water magic through a focus carved from heartwood oak.
3. Explain the Thalassic Principle as it relates to elemental counter-resonance.
The questions continued, growing more complex and specialized. I worked methodically, applying both the magical knowledge I'd acquired in this life and the scientific principles from my previous existence. Where traditional magical theory made claims without explanation, I provided the underlying mechanisms.
For a question about the arithmantic ratio in spell construction, I developed a complete mathematical proof based on what this world would call "advanced formulas" but which were basic differential equations to William's trained mind.
When the final chime sounded, indicating the end of the examination period, I had filled the scroll completely—my answers precise and comprehensive. As we filed out of the library, other initiates looked drained. Cedric's face was thunderous.
"How did you find it?" Felix asked, falling into step beside me.
"Thorough," I replied. "Though question fourteen contained a fundamental misconception about energy conservation during elemental transition."
Felix stared at me. "I couldn't even understand question fourteen, let alone identify errors in its premise."
"You did well regardless," I assured him, having glimpsed his work on resonance theory.
"Initiates!" Professor Caelum's voice cut through the corridor. "Results will be posted by nightfall. Those accepted will find their dormitory assignments indicated. Those rejected will find travel arrangements for their return journey."
---
The waiting was perhaps the most challenging part of the day. Though confident in my performance, I was aware that evaluation criteria might include political considerations beyond pure merit.
I spent the intervening hours exploring the public areas of the Academy grounds, mapping mental routes between key locations and observing the interactions of established students. The social hierarchy was immediately apparent—students with colored trim representing advanced elemental studies carried themselves with confidence, while first and second-year students gave them wide berth.
As dusk fell, initiates gathered anxiously before the great notice board in the central courtyard. At precisely the seventh bell, a scroll materialized on the board, names appearing in glowing script.
The crowd surged forward. I held back, watching reactions—some initiates celebrated while others turned away in defeat. Felix emerged from the throng, beaming.
"I passed! Earth dormitory, third rank!" he announced.
"Congratulations," I replied sincerely.
"Aren't you going to check?" he asked.
I nodded, moving toward the board as the crowd thinned. Finding my name, I read the designation beside it:
"Arthur Valistein - Special Allocation - Tower Dormitory - First Rank"
Felix, reading over my shoulder, gasped. "Tower Dormitory? That's... that's unprecedented for an initiate. Only third-year specialists are assigned there."
Before I could respond, Professor Caelum appeared beside us. "Mr. Valistein, come with me. Mr. Thorne, proceed to the Earth dormitory for orientation."
Felix gave me a concerned look before departing. Professor Caelum led me away from the courtyard toward the base of the Spire itself.
"Your performance today was exceptional," he stated without preamble. "Perfect scores in all three examinations."
"Thank you, Professor."
"It wasn't a compliment," he replied sharply. "It was an observation that creates a problem."
I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"The Academy has protocols for student placement based on affinity and aptitude. You, however, demonstrate too many affinities and too much aptitude to fit those protocols."
We reached a spiral staircase that wound upward into the Spire.
"Additionally," he continued as we ascended, "your darkness affinity raises... concerns. Not from me—I find such superstitions tedious—but from certain influential parties."
"Duke Ragna," I surmised.
"Among others. The Duke has already sent a messenger requesting oversight of your education."
My stomach tightened. "I am not his subject."
"No, but your family's precarious financial situation makes resistance difficult," Professor Caelum noted. "However, the Academy has its own interests. Talent like yours appears perhaps once in a generation. We have no intention of allowing it to become a noble's pet project."
We reached a landing where the staircase opened onto a circular hallway with seven doors, each bearing a different elemental symbol.
"The Tower Dormitory," Professor Caelum explained. "Normally reserved for advanced specialists preparing for mastery trials. Currently, six of the seven suites are occupied."
He gestured to the door marked with the symbol for darkness. "This will be yours."
"I don't understand," I admitted. "Why separate me from the other initiates?"
"Three reasons," he replied. "First, protection. Your demonstration today made you targets for both admiration and resentment. Second, specialized instruction. Your aptitudes require customized curriculum beyond standard classes. Third, observation."
"You want to study me," I realized.
"Precisely." He produced a key marked with intricate runes. "This grants access to your suite and certain restricted library sections. Normal Academy rules apply, with additional privileges and restrictions that will be explained tomorrow."
As he handed me the key, his expression softened slightly. "One piece of advice, Mr. Valistein. Exceptional talent invites exceptional scrutiny. There are mysteries surrounding your abilities that I suspect even you don't fully understand."
The statement startled me. Could he somehow sense that my knowledge came from another life?
"Rest well," he concluded. "Your formal instruction begins tomorrow. The other Tower residents will introduce themselves in due course."
After he departed, I unlocked the door to my suite—a spacious apartment rather than the small cell I'd expected. A sitting room with bookshelves, a bedroom with a proper bed, a private bathing chamber, and a small workroom equipped for magical experimentation.
On the desk lay a sealed letter bearing the crest of Duke Ragna. I opened it cautiously.
*Young Master Valistein,*
*Your performance today confirms what I have long suspected about your potential. House Ragna has a proud tradition of patronizing exceptional talent. I have instructed my son Cedric to extend every courtesy to you as you adjust to Academy life.*
*We shall speak directly when I visit the Academy for the Winter Solstice ceremonies. Until then, know that your family's financial difficulties need not continue. A mutually beneficial arrangement awaits discussion.*
*Duke Galeron Ragna*
The implicit threat behind the "courtesies" and the thinly veiled bribe regarding my family's situation made the Duke's intentions clear. He wanted to control me—whether as an asset or future in-law remained to be seen.
I placed the letter aside and moved to the window. From this height, I could see much of the Academy grounds and the city beyond. Lights twinkled in the gathering darkness, lives continuing in their ordinary patterns while I stood at the beginning of an extraordinary path.
From my pocket, I withdrew Sylphi's blue stone, its magical signature a comforting reminder of home. My first hurdle had been cleared, but the real challenges were just beginning.
The Academy had secrets I needed to uncover. Duke Ragna had designs I needed to thwart. And somewhere within the vast knowledge of The Arcanum Spire lay the key to transforming my scientific understanding from my previous life into magical power that could protect my family.
The game board was set. The pieces were moving. And I intended to master the rules before anyone realize