Page 61 of Ashes of Aether
“I don’t want to be her equal.”
“Then what do you want, Reyna?”
I want to be better than her. So much better. Even as an adept, my father would have easily defeated someone like Kaely. And yet I’ve never come close to beating her.
If I can’t defeat even Kaely, how can I become as powerful as my father? Three years ago, I swore to become mightier than him in order to protect those I love. As it stands, how can I ever hope to achieve that?
But I tell Eliya none of this. I turn to where Kaely sits on the opposite side of the arena, and I continue glaring at her.Not that glaring will help me defeat her.
At the end of the day, we gather inside the Arcanium’s hall. Three enormous chandeliers hang from elegant ceiling roses, and aether crystals dangle like raindrops from the spiraling arms. Their light has a purple tint and makes the white herringbone tiles of the floor appear lilac.
Natural light filters in through the many arched windows lining the hall, and they are tall enough to reach from the floor to the embellished ceiling. Plum velvet drapes are tucked beside the windows, held in place by tasseled, golden cords.
Since the lower years have spent the past few weeks completing their written examinations, the hall is filled with square drop-leaf tables. They are carved from oak—as are the matching chairs—and all feature twisted legs.
Every adept of the Arcanium is present; there’s nearly one-hundred and fifty of us in total. With there being far more adepts than desks and chairs, many are crowded around the walls.
Fortunately, Eliya and I arrived early enough to claim seats next to each other. We sit two rows back from the front, behind the adepts who arrived even earlier. That includes Kaely, who sits on the frontmost row. I glare at her mousy brown braid and the back of her cerulean robes, but it is far less satisfying than glaring at her freckled face.
Archmage Gidston sits on the dais, and her eyes rake across every adept of the Arcanium. Her chair is oaken like ours, but grander. Floral details are etched across its arms and legs. Beside her stands many of our tutors, their hands clasped behind their backs.
When every last adept has arrived, she finally addresses us all.
“Today marks the end of the Arcanium’s 1694thYear,” she declares, her words carrying to even the furthest corners of the hall. “This year, we have witnessed many outstanding achievements. Such as Quella Hyers, who obtained full marks in every examination she completed last week.”
She gestures to a student sitting in the row ahead of me. The girl stands, and everyone claps.
When we fall silent, the girl returns to her seat and Archmage Gidston continues her speech.
“And also, Artus Milford who, despite being only two marks off failing last year, has now emerged as the top of his class.”
Another student rises from his chair, and the entire hall showers him with applause. His achievement is quite remarkable. When I put little effort into my studies, I never came close to failing. To now be the top of his class, he must have worked even harder than me. I suppose the fear of almost failing and being thrown out of the Arcanium probably had much to do with that.
He sits back down, and Archmage Gidston continues praising various adepts. A second-year is also commended for their performance during Combat Class, while a fourth-year is applauded for their work with an Alchemy research project. None of us fifth-years are mentioned, however. Not until the end of her speech.
“And now we must applaud our fifth-year students for all their hard work over the last five years.”
We fifth-years get to our feet, and the rest of the hall applauses us.
“However, their time as adepts is not yet complete,” Archmage Gidston continues when we return to our seats. “Next week, they will begin their Mage Trials. In order to graduate from the Arcanium, they must prove they have the required strength of heart, mind, and magic. We wish them all the luck with their trials and the bright futures ahead of them.”
Eighteen
“Nomorelessons,”Eliyasingsaswepouroutofthehallwithalltheotheradepts,“everagain!”
We come to a stop at the center of the Arcanium’s atrium. The aether crystals which form the domed ceiling glisten in the late noon sun.
“You do realize this means you’ll have to get a job soon?” I say.
“Why would I need a job? My father’s apothecary makes so much money that he doesn’t need to work. I’ll just inherit his business.”
“You’ll have to share it with your brother,” I point out. Eliya’s brother is six years younger than us and is due to start at the Arcanium next year. Which I suppose is next month now, since we’re already in December.
“Even if I have to share it with Wynn, there will still be plenty of money for us both—” She cuts herself off as Koby walks past, and she grabs his shoulder, spinning him around. “Hey, Koby! Do you want to come to Flour Powerwith Reyna and me?”
“Sure—” he begins.
“When did we decide on that?” I interject. “I need to go to the library.”