The first thing Lucian did after the Psionic Trial was head back to his room to take a well-deserved nap. From the empty corridors and common areas, it seemed most Novices were of a similar mind. He slept so long that he even missed dinner.

  When Lucian woke up, it was night. He went to the entry hall with a mind to go outside, despite the cold. Psion Gaius, of all people, was the Timekeeper. He didn’t seem to notice Lucian as he lit the Witching Torch, signifying the last thirty minutes of a Volsung day.

  Lucian would have never guessed someone of Gaius’s stature would be Timekeeper. Especially during such an important week at the Volsung Academy.

  Once done lighting the torch with Thermal Magic, Gaius made his way over to Lucian. Lucian lowered his head in supplication, as was fitting for someone of Gaius’s station.

  “One day, Novice Lucian, you might have the honor of lighting the Time Torches. It could be one day very soon.”

  His tone was approving, a far cry from his usual dismissive attitude. It took a moment before Lucian could find the right response.

  “I’m not worthy of that honor.” Before Gaius could say more, Lucian continued. “Are all Talents responsible for the torches?”

  “Yes. A privilege, though not easy. Each day . . . Volsung day, that is . . . a Talent must keep vigil and be Timekeeper for the rest. It’s a task too important to entrust to a mere Novice.”

  Lucian wondered why it was so important. Surely a simple clock would not be too much technology, even for the Transcends. Sometimes, their Luddism made no sense.

  “So, you haven’t slept in fifty-four hours?”

  He nodded. “It isn’t easy, but when you’ve done it before, and you’ve trained your mind, you can forgo the need for sleep. For a time.” He stifled a yawn. “My vigil ends at the passing of the Witching Hour. At that point, Talent Khairu will extinguish the torches and begin anew.”

  “It doesn’t sound like much of an honor,” Lucian said, choosing not to filter his thoughts. Talent Gaius seemed to be in a rare, amiable mood.

  “It may seem that way on the surface,” he said, “but keeping vigil is a rare opportunity to rest. You will one day learn how grueling the Talent training will be if the Transcends see fit to let you ascend.”

  Staying up for over two standard days was a break? If that was so, then the training must be especially harsh.

  “Is it true that no Talent has been raised after their first Trial?”

  “That’s true. I came close. Transcend White told me so herself. It was her vote that decided I needed to train another year.” He gave a throaty chuckle. “How angry I was. And how blind. She was right. Sometimes, it’s not our abilities that are lacking, but our conception of them. And our maturity.”

  From the way Gaius was looking at Lucian, he seemed to question Lucian’s maturity. Lucian wondered whether he should share his misgivings, but decided it was too great a risk.

  “I’ve come a long way,” Lucian said. “Not only in my handling of magic but also in my attitude. For the first time, I think I’m at peace here. That I could even make a life here.”

  Gaius nodded approvingly. “That’s good, Novice. That is the most important step. A heart that is ready and willing to serve.”

  A small part of Lucian quailed at that. But it was only a small part. Being one hundred percent sure of something was a rarity. If he could commit himself, he would have the rest of his life to figure things out.

  “I wish to become a mage of the Academy,” Lucian said. “I wish to become a Talent.”

  Gaius watched him for a moment, seeming to weigh him with those inscrutable eyes. “It’s well that you wish that, Novice. For you are a mage already. It must be for more than survival because survival is insufficient. It is only when you become a Talent that you will find your true purpose. And when that purpose is found, it does make it easier to endure the hardships.”

  Lucian’s curiosity was stoked by that, but he knew it was prudent to remain quiet. “Then I will work hard every day to make it a reality.”

  “I’m pleased,” Psion Gaius said. “You should be resting. Opportunities to do so are rare indeed. Tomorrow will be a Day of Contemplation, not only for you Novices but for the Talents and Transcends as well. There will be as many Days of Contemplation as the Transcends need to decide who ascends and who must wait another year.”

  “And who leaves.”

  Talent Gaius nodded. “Yes. And who leaves. Never pleasant, that, but the Academy cannot waste resources on lost causes. This is the way of things.”

  To Lucian, Talent Gaius didn’t sound too sad about that, but it could be that he was inured to reality by now. After two decades here, he’d have to be.

  “How long will it take for them to decide?”

  Gaius shrugged. “Who knows? Sometimes, a day. The longest I’ve seen is two weeks. Usually, it takes two or three days.”

  “We should know soon, then.”

  “That we will. I’ve heard you’ve performed beyond expectations. Don’t let that go to your head. I thought I would be the first, too.” He smiled. “It’s not only magic and controlling our stream that the Transcends wish to teach us. There are ethical values, too, patience and humility being foremost. The Transcends err on the side of conservatism when the decision isn’t obvious. They’ve . . . made mistakes before.”

  “What mistakes?”

  Gaius shook his head. “I’ve said too much. Sleep, Novice. You will learn the results soon;3 I assure you.”

  Lucian nodded and turned to go. When given a direct order by a Psion, one was wise to obey.

  Lucian lay on his bed, wondering at the mistakes Gaius had hinted at. It was hard to imagine a Transcend doing such a thing. The Psion might have shared so much because he was sleep-deprived. Most saw the Transcends’ decisions as inerrant. That they could make a mistake was not something much talked about.

  Lucian’s last thought was whether those mistakes might have had something to do with Vera.

  #

  Lucian woke to a knock at his door. He couldn’t have been asleep for more than a few hours, judging by his grogginess.

  He was surprised to see Transcend Blue standing there, of all people. He stared at Lucian shrewdly.

  Before Lucian could think to bow, the Transcend was speaking.

  “I need you, Novice. Follow.”

  Lucian did his best not to betray any emotion, reaching for his Focus to better control himself. He had expected a well-earned rest, but that wasn’t in the cards, at least for now. Lucian followed Transcend Blue down the stone corridor leading to the entry hall, wondering just what it was he wanted.

  Lucian wished he had brought a heavier cloak. Lucian noted five torches lit, with Talent Khairu presiding over them in the corner. There were hours yet before dawn.

  “Forgive me, Transcend,” Lucian said, “but might I ask where we’re going?”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Transcend Blue continued as if he hadn’t heard Lucian at all.

  When they went outside, the wind was cutting. Lucian could only hope they weren’t out here long. It wasn’t until they stood below the boughs of the flame tree that Transcend Blue broke the silence. Whatever he had to say, it was clear he didn’t want anyone to overhear it.

  “I have an offer for you,” he said. “I was quite impressed with your showing at the Binding Trial. You did quite well on most of your other Trials, too, from what I understand.”

  Lucian wasn’t sure what to say. He remembered what Emma had said and could hardly believe her words were coming true. He had to be careful here. “You are kind to say so, Your Eminence.”

  Transcend Blue waved a hand as if to dismiss the honorific. “I’m a very direct man, so I’ll cut to the chase. I’m willing to raise you to the mantle of Talent.”

  There it was, plain as day. Emma had predicted it, but Lucian never expected it to happen.

  “I’m nowhere near ready for that,” Lucian protested. “Besides, wouldn’t I need the votes of the other Transcends?”

  “Don’t worry about that. It is your part to accept this generosity, which I’ve never given to any other Novice.”

  Did Lucian’s opinion not matter? Transcend Blue seemed to think so.

  Transcend Blue continued. “This is an opportunity many Novices would kill for, and I assure you, I won’t offer it again. Many factors impact a decision on who to ascend, and your stars have aligned.” As he watched Lucian, his wizened face was severe. “You would be a fool to say anything but 'yes.'"

  Lucian’s shock hadn’t dissipated. It was worse because Transcend Blue seemed to want a quick response. And being on Transcend’s bad side was a recipe for disaster.

  “That’s a very generous offer,” Lucian said. “I have to ask, though. Why me, and why now? Especially with the Gravitonics Trial . . .”

  “It’s clear that your failure there was due to a lack of training. Considering that, you did as well as could be expected. Even better. You have done well in most of the Aspects. That’s a rarity. It’s expected for a Talent to choose his Aspect at the end of his first year.” He looked at Lucian appraisingly. “But if you favor the Blue, my vote is yours . . . along with some personal training in the meantime I only offer to my Psion.”

  Transcend Blue watched Lucian for a reaction, but he was still too stunned to say much at all. He cleared his throat. “That’s a huge honor. At the same time, I’m not sure I’m worthy of it.”

  “You weary me, Novice.” Transcend Blue glanced back at the Academy as if to see whether they were being watched. “Don’t take too long to consider. A couple of days, at most. If I haven’t heard from you, well, then I’m afraid I will vote a different way. You have such great potential in Binding; it would be a shame to lose you to another. It was Binding Magic, after all, that saw the destruction of that iceberg several months ago.”

  With a conspiratorial wink, Transcend Blue departed, leaving Lucian open-mouthed and unsure of what to do. Once again, Emma had proved perceptive. Transcend Yellow had already given him personal training, something that would have been unthinkable to him before. Now, Transcend Blue was straight-up saying that his vote was for Lucian if he agreed to become a Blue Talent. But could he commit to making Binding his chosen Aspect?

  Besides, what would happen if other Transcends made a similar offer, as Emma thought might happen? Lucian had a lot to think about in the coming days. From what he understood, once a Talent chose an Aspect, it was for life.

  He couldn’t make this decision without due research. But how could he know for sure in just a couple of days?

  It was too much to think about. And yet, Lucian had no choice but to think about it.

  His very future at the Academy depended on it.

  #

  He headed back to the Academy and warmed himself by the central brazier. By this point, some of the early risers were up for nightly meditations. Lucian knew he should be joining them, but he instead headed for the kitchen to help prepare breakfast. No Transcend would intrude on him there.

  But breakfast was ready and eaten in too little time. He headed to an out-of-the-way meditation chamber, using lesser-used corridors far from the entry hall and dorms. Once settled, Lucian sought his Focus and the clarity it brought. It was becoming his refuge, his guide. It reminded him of what Vera had taught him—to seek his path in the heart of silence. He needed that guidance now, and he hoped to find it soon.

  Even if he managed to push intruding thoughts aside, he couldn’t ignore his unease. His Focus was like staring into a deep ocean, not being able to see anything. The answers were at the bottom, but he also knew countless monsters lurked in the darkness beneath. They were monsters he’d have to fight to discover the truth. His truth. Who was he, and which Aspect was he best suited for? He knew the other Novices would kill to have this problem, but Lucian would have killed to have it go to another.

  One thing he knew for sure. He was a mere Novice, and his plans for his future paled in comparison to those of the Transcends. There was little agency in this place, especially for a Novice. He wondered how many of the Talents even had a choice for their Aspect. Most mages could only use one or two Aspects with any degree of skill. Despite Lucian’s growing pains, he was progressing well in all the Aspects, more or less. That put him in a unique position compared to others.

  Transcend Blue was right in saying many Novices would kill for the opportunity. With only a few words, he might even be the first Novice to ascend during the first year.

  A female voice spoke from behind. “Novice Lucian?”

  He jumped. It was an unwritten rule to never disturb a mage in meditation. It was one of the few times even a Novice could find privacy. But clearly, that rule didn’t apply here.

  He turned to see Transcend Violet, her blue eyes watching him as if she wanted something. Her too?

  “Yes, Transcend Violet,” he said, standing and bowing.

  “Walk with me.”

  Lucian followed her to the rock garden, where the gray northern sunlight did little to bring warmth. Transcend Violet seemed inured to the frigid air. Lucian had to suppress his need to shiver.

  “Is it too cold for you out here?” Transcend Violet asked.

  “A little,” Lucian admitted.

  “Everyone is inside today,” she went on. “This is the best place to speak. Have any of the others . . . spoken with you?”

  Lucian felt himself in a bind as Transcend Violet watched him closely. Those sharp blue eyes didn’t seem to miss a detail. He couldn’t lie. She was Transcend Violet, after all, master of Psionics. And those hypnotic eyes seemed to be doing more than looking at him. He found himself compelled to answer truthfully, to trust her, even if it was against his interests.

  “Transcend Blue did this morning,” he said. He meant to keep the next part to himself, but he found himself blurting it out all the same. “He said he’d vote for my ascension if I chose to dedicate myself to Binding.”

  She gave a bitter laugh. “Did he?” She shook her head, her dark curls swaying with the effort. “Your talents would be wasted as a Binder. Your gifting is with Psionics. Even Transcend Blue must see that.”

  All Lucian could do was nod politely. But it seemed Transcend Violet expected some sort of response from him. “Why do you say that, Your Eminence?”

  “I haven’t seen any Novice control a Psionic stream the way you did yesterday,” she said. “Many of my Talents would be hard-pressed to do such a thing. Did you have training before coming here?”

  Lucian realized that none of them knew of his affiliation with Vera—none but Transcend White. He would have to answer with caution. “No, Transcend Violet.”

  “Remarkable,” she said. “Have you considered his offer?”

  “A little.”

  “We begin deliberation this afternoon,” Transcend Violet said. “If you’re interested in exploring the full extent of Psionics, then I will vouch for you and come to some sort of agreement with Transcend Blue. Indecision, I’m afraid, will be your worst enemy.”

  Lucian was surprised at the severity of her expression. This was no game. He had never asked for this, and all he wanted to do was run, but running was hard to do when he was surrounded by thousands of kilometers of icy ocean. He should have bungled the Trial after all.

  “What should I say to Transcend Blue, then?” Lucian asked. “Or for that matter, any others who might approach me? How am I supposed to choose anyone when I don’t know which Aspect is the right one?”

  “A fair point,” Transcend Violet said. “Allow me to convince you. Transcend White was a Psionic herself. It’s often said that the Psionics are the most gifted of mages. And with your potential, you would go farthest with us. Your progress would be swift. Within a few years, you might be good enough to go on expeditions outside the Academy.”

  Lucian tried to hide his surprise, but he knew doing so was impossible with Transcend Violet. “So soon?”

  “Anything is possible,” Transcend Violet said smoothly. “The only limit is your own beliefs and your willingness to learn. I can also offer . . . extra instruction.”

  Lucian almost choked at that, his mind going to a place it shouldn’t have gone. Had he imagined her seductive tone of voice? The mere idea of it was madness. Before he could even respond, she continued speaking, as if nothing untoward had happened. “As I said, the greatest crime would be to see your potential wasted . . . especially as a Binder.”

  She seemed to be standing closer to him. He tried to create more space, but it was hard to think straight. He could smell her perfume, a heady aroma that made it difficult to hold onto any thought for long. What need did a Transcend have for perfume? But there was something beyond that. She was doing something to his mind, flaring urges he had learned to suppress. The feeling intensified for a moment until he felt reduced to the state of a slavering dog. Just as he was about to give his answer, an answer that was beyond all thought and reason, the feeling dissipated as if it had never been. Lucian blinked, bewildered by emotional whiplash.

  “There are many things I can teach you,” she said. “Magic that is frowned upon by my colleagues. And yet, always useful to have. After all, you never know when it might come in handy.”

  Long after she had gone, Lucian stayed behind in the cold, hoping that it would clear his head. Whatever she had done to him, that was power. Psionics wasn’t only the mastery of kinetic magic, but the manipulation of the mind itself. It wasn’t supposed to be done to other mages—that was against the rules. But clearly, she had violated those rules. Was she trying to send a message, that she could teach him to do the same thing? Plenty of male Novices had joked about Transcend Violet in that way, but it was just banter.

  But this was no game. It was his future.

  Now that it was out in the open, the question was: would he accept the offer?

  Nowhere was safe. Just when it seemed he was getting his bearings, learning to accept his lot, this had to happen. Wherever he went, the Transcends would fight over him.

  He just didn’t want to get ripped to pieces in the process.