Lucian dreamed of drowning. The icy cold of the Ocean of Storms was as real in his nightmares as it had been yesterday. Lucian tossed and turned, finally waking up with a sense of impending doom. His body was burning one moment and cold as ice the next. He wanted nothing more than to scream as he closed his eyes, only to see images of his death playing out repeatedly.

  A knock resounded from the door. He had no idea what time it was. After hours, any conversation between Novices was forbidden. He hurried out of bed to answer.

  When he opened the door, Talent Khairu glared at him, seeming to tower over him despite the fact that he had a full head and a half on her. Her face was stern and very Khairu-like.

  “Transcend Yellow demands your presence.”

  Lucian blinked drearily. “What? Now?”

  “Yes, now,” she answered brusquely. “Follow me.”

  All Lucian could do was shake his head. He was due to have his Trial with her tomorrow. What could she possibly want?

  Khairu led him upstairs, not to the Talents’ level, but to the third floor. Coming here brought back bad memories. Whatever the reason he’d been summoned, it couldn’t be good. Khairu stalked ahead, her footfalls heavy. Lucian got the impression she was angry. Angrier than usual, anyway. Perhaps she deemed this summoning an honor of which he was unworthy. Even if it were an honor, Lucian would rather be anywhere else.

  Khairu paused before a door about halfway down the corridor. “This is her office. She instructed you to go in straight away.”

  Lucian looked at her for confirmation, but Khairu was already walking off. The thought occurred to him that she could be playing him, trying to get him in trouble at a crucial time. It was almost enough for him to leave.

  But Khairu would not risk herself in that manner. And ignoring the summons would certainly guarantee his failure tomorrow.

  Lucian almost knocked, to be sure, but he decided it was better to do exactly as Khairu had specified. He put his hand on the gleaming copper handle, still waxy from a recent polish. He took a deep breath and opened the door.

  Transcend Yellow sat behind an ornate desk covered with papers, journals, and books. Her oval face, dark skin, and long braids with streaks of gray lent a dignified air. She gave a wan smile as Lucian stepped inside. That smile put Lucian on guard for some reason.

  “Novice Lucian,” she said. “Thank you for coming so late. Please, have a seat. There are things I wish to discuss.”

  Now, what in the Worlds could that be? “Of course, Transcend Yellow.”

  He took the empty seat opposite her, absorbing his surroundings as he did so. Compared to Transcend White’s office, Transcend Yellow’s was elegantly appointed. It made Lucian realize that not all Transcends were minimalists. The stone floor was almost completely covered by a white rug made from some animal he’d never seen before. Lamps and candles added a warm aura. Paintings decked the walls in the Eclectic style, which had gained popularity in the post-Climate Wars era of the late 21st century. Lucian even recognized a few of them, though they were almost certainly not originals.

  Besides the artwork, bookshelves lined the walls, each brimming with tomes. Of course, most people didn’t own physical books. But here at the Academy, books were the only way to store knowledge since electronics were forbidden.

  “Now,” Transcend Yellow said, steepling her fingers. “No doubt you are wondering why I summoned you.”

  “Yes, Transcend Yellow.”

  He hoped he didn’t sound as nervous as he felt. A Transcend wouldn’t act this way unless she wanted something.

  From her high cheekbones, aquiline nose, and full lips, it was obvious she had once been quite the beauty, and she still had that effect. She had wrinkles on her brow and at the corners of her eyes. Her gaze, fiery in intensity, demanded attention and respect. It was the gaze of a woman who had overcome many obstacles to rise high in life.

  “I’ve heard of your difficulties with the Gravitonics Trial,” she began. “And no doubt, you haven’t had the opportunity to prepare for my Trial tomorrow. If what they’re saying is true, that you are a Binder or a Psionic, that would make Dynamism your tertiary or even quaternary Aspect. If you’re willing, I’d like to offer you a bit of assistance.”

  At first, Lucian didn’t think he’d heard her right. Was this some sort of test? “Help with what, Transcend Yellow?”

  “The Trial,” she said, her tone taking on a bit of impatience. “I don’t like repeating myself. Would you like help or not?”

  He almost asked if this was even allowed, but he didn’t want to call her integrity into question. That was not something a Novice did. There was only one right answer here. But if anyone got in trouble for it, it would be Lucian.

  “This isn’t a test, is it?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Of course not. It’s only fair, seeing as you had to take part in a later Trial today. Your ether won’t be as regenerated as your peers.”

  Lucian didn’t buy that, but refusing her outright was a good way to fail the Trial. “If you’re offering help, I’d be a fool not to take it. May I ask why, though?”

  “I sense great potential in you. I’m of a mind that that potential should be celebrated, not stymied. True, you haven’t been here long, but I’ve been watching your progress with great interest. Even if what you have done isn’t exactly . . . condoned . . . anyone would be a fool not to recognize your capacity. That capacity might be tempered into something useful under the right hand. I would not like a repeat of the Gravitonics Trial, and Dynamism is just as dangerous, if not more so.” She leaned back, seeming to think for a moment. “Transcend Gray should have given you some help as well, but given his condition . . .”

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  “His condition?”

  She shook her head. “Never mind about that. So, what do you say?”

  “I . . . guess that makes sense.”

  She stood, and with that action, Lucian realized that they were starting right here, right now. “First, stream a Dynamistic energy shield for me, as Talent Khairu has surely taught you.”

  Lucian blinked in surprise. “In your office? What if I mess something up?”

  Transcend Yellow, in response, pointed to the space before her desk in front of the door. “Take great care not to mess up, Lucian. Let my books and artwork serve as a reminder that the Manifold must be handled with care. That is something you should have remembered at the Gravitonics Trial. Shields up!”

  Lucian saw that he would have to do exactly as she said. More than that, he couldn’t make any mistakes. So it was, under the pressure of her watchful gaze, that he formed his Focus. He still felt drained from the previous Trial, but some ether had regenerated. He only hoped that this wouldn’t exhaust him too much.

  He reached for the Dynamistic Aspect, and per her instruction, streamed a basic energy shield around himself. He had come a long way in the months since his first training sessions with Khairu. Dynamism was one of his weaker Aspects, but even so, his shield was passable for a Novice of his short tenure. At least, he thought so.

  The thin layer of energy reflected the yellow light cast by the lamps. He held the stream, not daring to let go until Transcend Yellow gave another order. The effort was taxing, but what choice did he have? It occurred to him that she might be trying to exhaust him before tomorrow. Maybe she didn’t want him to pass.

  Whatever the case, he knew he was a puppet, and she was the one pulling the strings.

  Without warning, Transcend Yellow’s hands became awash in electrical energy. Yellow sparks flew from her fingers as she slammed her palms into Lucian’s shield. The shield fizzled out with a thunderous crack. Transcend Yellow gave a coy smile.

  “When I say shields up, Novice,” she said. “I mean it. Again!”

  Without hesitation, Lucian raised his shield again, streaming his ether much more rapidly and producing a stronger barrier. It was so strong that Lucian was confident Transcend Yellow couldn’t make a dent. However, his reserves were draining fast. Transcend Yellow watched, a cat considering how she might gut the mouse she had caught.

  When Lucian could hardly hold it any longer, she smiled. “Stop.”

  He released his stream, and the shield dissipated. “You didn’t attack.”

  “Another lesson,” she said. “When in a duel with another mage, the one who runs out of ether first loses. If you strengthen your shield, but no one is attacking, you will lose. Defend yourself closely, yes. But awareness is the best defense.”

  He could only wonder when he might ever need to duel another mage. He was aware that the Talents did so as practice. It was possible, he supposed, for there to be another Mage War, or a battle with a rogue or perhaps even a group of rogues. In that case, he would need to be ready. But it was hard to imagine that day ever coming.

  “So, how do I know when the other mage is about to attack?”

  In answer, Transcend Yellow’s hands became wrapped in electricity. Lucian threw up his shield to block it. It was a weak attack, sizzling against his barrier.

  “Like that,” she said. “Watch. Learn. Gain experience. These things my Talents learn to do very well. Depending on your performance tomorrow, you might even have the aptitude to be a Yellow Talent.”

  “But Dynamism is my weakest Aspect.”

  Her face became severe. “Never limit your beliefs. Some Aspects will be harder to learn, yes, but it’s our beliefs that limit us the most, not our natural inclinations.” She watched him for a moment, letting the point sink in. “Do you understand?”

  Lucian nodded. He couldn’t get over that she had hinted he might soon become her Talent. That would give Khairu apoplexy. It seemed imprudent to ask her to clarify, so he did his best to make his face smooth and expressionless. The way Transcend Yellow looked at him, without a trace of a smile, suggested she was quite serious.

  “Now,” she said, “do you know how to stream lightning?”

  Lucian shook his head. “That’s too advanced for me.”

  “There you go again,” Transcend Yellow said. “With the Manifold, belief makes reality. That is the most basic lesson. If that hasn’t been drilled into your head yet, this academy has failed you. Never say something is too advanced or impossible. Anyone who believes in impossibility makes impossibility their reality. Either the sky is the limit, or the limit is the sky.” She gave a half-smile. “Which belief is more productive?”

  “The first one.”

  Transcend Yellow nodded. “Now, I ask again. Do you know how to stream lightning?”

  “No,” Lucian said, “but I would like to learn.”

  She smiled as if pleased with that answer. “It’s simple. Take all that effort you made in making a shield. Instead, imagine your stream manifesting as a single line of hyper-concentrated magic. Imagine the anchor point in your hand and the focal point on the object you wish to strike.”

  Fear twisted in his stomach. She couldn’t be asking him to stream lightning in her office. And he was already so tired, his ether so depleted . . .

  “I’ve almost exhausted myself, Transcend Yellow,” Lucian said. “If I stream any more . . .”

  “Do it,” she said, her tone brooking no argument.

  There was no arguing with a Transcend, whatever her motives were. Transcend Yellow oversaw the Trial tomorrow, and Lucian would likely fail if he didn’t follow orders.

  Once again, Lucian reached for his Focus. While he found it, it felt slippery, a sure sign he was tiring. Would he have enough ether to stream an unfamiliar Aspect?

  “Do I attack you with it, or something?” he asked.

  Transcend Yellow nodded, her manner somewhat impatient. “You can’t hurt me, Lucian. Do it now!”

  With that order, Lucian streamed through his Focus, imagining the Dynamistic Aspect. First came the anchor point of his hand, as instructed. He felt potential building there. Next came the focal point—which he formed right at Transcend Yellow’s center. Whatever ether he had left, he concentrated there. But for all that buildup, only a shower of sparks streamed from his outward-facing palm.

  “Stop doubting yourself,” she admonished. “Let it flow!”

  This was too much. If he did as she asked, he would overdraw, something he was strictly forbidden to do. He released his Focus and shook his head. “I can’t. I’m close to overdrawing.”

  She looked at him for a long moment, and he was sure she was about to tell him to do it anyway. He didn’t know what he’d do then.

  But in the end, she nodded, though her face seemed disappointed. “Very well. Perhaps I got carried away. I don’t wish to overtax you. I just don’t want you to limit your beliefs. It would be a shame if you did that.” She heaved a sigh that seemed strangely sad. There was something more going on, but he didn’t know what. She returned to her desk and sat. “That will be all, Novice Lucian. Return to your room and get some rest.”

  It was all he could do not to heave a sigh of relief. “Of course, Transcend Yellow.”

  Lucian left the office, gently shutting the heavy wooden door behind him. He walked down the corridor, hoping that no one saw him here on the Transcends’ level at this hour. He didn’t want anyone asking questions.

  He only felt safe once he was back in his room. He sat on his bed, wondering if all that had really happened. Why was she going on about his potential? And if that was something she had noticed, had the other Transcends noticed as well?

  He didn’t have the time or energy for such questions. He blew out the candles and fell into an exhausted sleep.