FIN STOOD resolutely before a towering mountain facade, with verdant forests flanking his position on either side. Yet, directly before him loomed a pair of immense double doors, exhibiting a pallid, weather-worn appearance. Their iron hinges were twisted into ornate spirals that curled inward upon each other, and Fin envisaged that in the absence of the luminosity cast by the bus headlights, these doors would have been nearly imperceptible. Etched into the rock above the portals was a symbol that was alien to him, and below it were inscribed the words: "The flame yearns to ignite, the currents aspire to flow, the winds crave to soar, the earth yearns to anchor, and dark hungers to consume." The word "consume" sent a chill down his spine, and he contemplated his last opportunity to flee. However, he realized that he was not fleet-footed and that there was nowhere for him to escape to.The cohort of aspiring mages had obtained their apparatus and were now congregating, mirroring the st
The enormity of the entrance hall astounded Fin, its sheer size dwarfing any interior space he had ever encountered. Its dimensions could comfortably accommodate three regulation-sized basketball courts, with ample room left to spare. The flooring was made of glittering mica, which he had previously seen in the apparition in the airplane hangar, while the walls were adorned with flowstone, resembling the result of thousands of wax candles that had melted and trickled down the surface. Stalagmites jutted out along the edges of the room, while stalactites hung low, almost touching in certain areas. A radiant blue river bisected the chamber, its luminosity reminiscent of a brilliant sapphire. It flowed in from one archway and out through another, a carved stone bridge spanning its course. Intricate patterns were etched into the sides of the bridge, patterns unfamiliar to Fin yet reminiscent of the markings on the dagger his father had thrown to him.As the new apprentices from the Trial
"It transforms the symbols into a quincunx," declared Master Zoltar as he raised three wristbands from a stone table that appeared to be carved from a single piece of rock. The wristbands, which were wide leather cuffs with a strip of iron riveted into the cuffs and secured with a matching metal buckle, elicited awe from Samantha as she picked up her own wristband."Wow," she breathed.Fin, however, remained skeptical. "Are they magic?" he asked."These wristbands symbolize your advancement in the Memora. If you successfully pass your end-of-year examination, you will receive a higher rank," Master Zoltar explained. "The first rank, Arcanum, is represented by iron, followed by Aureum, then Obsidian, Platinum, and finally, Diamond. Once you have completed your Diamond Year, you will be considered a journeyman mage, eligible for admission to the Collegium. "In answer to your question, Fin, yes, these wristbands are magic," he added. "They have been crafted by a metal shaper and serve a
As the majestic silhouette of the man toiled up the steep, pristine face of the glacier, he appeared to be a mere speck of an ant, laboriously scaling the surface of a colossal dinner plate. The minuscule shantytown of Eldrida was a distant cluster of dots far beneath him, as the winds intensified with his elevation, whipping gusts of snowflakes into his face and freezing the damp strands of his raven hair. Despite the protection of his amber goggles, he squinted against the intense radiance of the setting sun's reflection. Nevertheless, the man was not intimidated by the prospect of a fall, even as he climbed without the aid of ropes or belay lines, relying solely on his crampons and a single ice axe. His name was Landon Black, and he was a mage, with the power to shape and manipulate the frozen matter of the glacier at will, manifesting handholds and footholds as he methodically progressed upward.As he trudged through the harsh, unforgiving terrain of the glacier, his body was wrac
Finnick Black was a notorious figure in his small Old North State community, renowned for his acerbic wit and penchant for vexing authority figures. His repute as a troublemaker was further solidified by his penchant for openly mocking substitute teachers, while his persistent annoyance of school administrators, hall monitors, and cafeteria staff only served to cement his infamy. Despite the efforts of guidance counselors to assist him - prompted by his tragic background as an orphaned child - his caustic demeanor and sharp tongue left them wishing for his absence. He was easily recognizable by his perpetual scowl, unkempt brown hair, and piercing gray eyes. A devotee of skateboarding, although his proficiency in the activity had been hard-won, as evidenced by the dents he had inflicted upon several cars during his initial attempts. He was often observed loitering outside the premises of comic book stores, arcades, and video game stores. Even the Mayor had personal knowledge of him, h
The girl possessed a defining trait of aloofness, which was accentuated by her radiant, flaxen tresses and whimsical unicorn backpack. As they traversed the corridors together, her gaze would evade him, as if he were intangible. With a peculiar and unexpected gesture, she made her way towards the Toyota, where her parents sat anxiously in the front seats.Could it be that she was headed towards the same destination as him? The Arcanum? If so, someone needed to caution her.Many individuals, particularly those from families with a history of magic, misguidedly believe that the Arcanum is a test of exceptionalism. However, as Fin's father had stated, "It's the children with no magical relatives you should pity most. They're the ones who think it's going to be like it is in the movies. It's nothing like the movies."At that precise instant, Fin's father abruptly arrived at the school's curbside, abruptly interrupting his son's line of sight with Sophia, as he brought the vehicle to a scr
"The ancient art of magic is passed down through bloodlines, my son," Fin's father spoke gravely. "Though not all members of a family possess it, it appears that you have been blessed, or cursed, with the gift. I apologize for this burden that has been placed upon you.""The fissure in the earth, you're saying that I caused it?" Fin struggled to contain his excitement and fear. "Is that what mages are capable of?""Mages harness the elemental forces of nature - earth, air, water, fire and even the void, which is the source of the most potent and dangerous magic. They can use magic for many purposes, including manipulating the earth as you have just demonstrated. However, at the onset of magical abilities, the power is raw and unbridled. It takes discipline and study to harness and control such power. Young mages often lack control and must learn to balance their abilities. Fin, you must resist the urge to use your magic and never reveal it to anyone. If you do, the powerful and secret
The mages stood before Fin, exuding an aura of power and authority. Though he had imagined them to be more eccentric in appearance, they were simply dressed in black tunics and pants, adorned with leather-and-metal cuffs on their wrists. Though their attire did not betray any extraordinary characteristics, Fin couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. The tallest among them, a man with a hawkish nose and silver-streaked brown hair, stepped forward and addressed the assembled families in the bleachers with a commanding presence."Greetings esteemed aspirants and esteemed families of said aspirants, to the paramount occasion of your progeny's existence."Fin pondered the gravity of the situation as he whispered, "Are all of the applicants aware of the true purpose of their presence here? To secure a coveted spot in the prestigious institution of magical education?" His father shook his head, his voice tinged with cynicism as he replied, "The parents are blinded by their own desi