AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Now, as you should all be aware, the Mage Trials consist of three separate trials: the Trial of Heart, the Trial of Mind, and the Trial of Magic. Today, you are all to undertake the first trial and prove whether you have the courage and faith required of a mage. To prove that you will not waver in the face of any danger. To prove that you will serve Nolderan with the utmost dedication and obey the orders of the three Archmagi, and the Grandmage himself, without hesitation.”
She gestures to the city below. Her indigo sleeve ripples in the roaring winds. “As for your first trial, I’m sure you can guess what is expected of you.”
I swallow at that.
I’ve heard rumors of what the Trial of Heart entails. Namely, jumping off the edge of the Aether Tower. I dearly hope my suspicions are wrong, but the glint in her eyes suggests otherwise.
“While the task is simple, it is not for the fainthearted.” She holds out her hand. “Conparios.” A plain feather appears. It is of a tawny color with white spots along the tip and most likely originates from a quail.
She pinches the feather between her fingers and holds it high for us all to see. “One by one, you will leap from the Aether Tower with nothing but this feather. And I must stress that I mean nothing else, not even your magic. Casting even a single spell is forbidden on this trial. Choosing to use your magic means demonstrating a lack of faith, and you will fail this trial.”
I stare out at the sea of cobalt rooftops. My legs feel wobbly. I hope I’m not visibly shaking, or else Kaely will be pleased to see my fear.
Despite the terror snaking up my spine, I have no choice but to place my faith in Archmage Gidston and the Trial of Heart. Because failing this trial means failing to become a mage.
“Are there any questions?” Lorette asks.
Koby fumbles for a moment. Then he hesitantly raises his hand.
“Yes, Adept Varsley?”
“Um,” he begins, chewing the inside of his cheek, “if we are forbidden from using our magic, how will we survive the fall?”
Further down the line, some adepts murmur. I suppose they’re wondering how we will avoid certain death. That’s also what I would like to know.
“Answering that question would defeat the purpose of this trial,” Archmage Gidston replies. “However, I can reveal two things. Firstly, that if we allowed all our adepts to fall to their deaths, then Nolderan would be in very short supply of magi. And secondly, that if you ensure you hold the feather at all times, then you will be in no danger. I cannot say more than that, nor can I reveal the specific mechanics of this trial. You must all have faith.”
“What if we let go of the feather?” Koby asks. “By accident, I mean.”
The Archmage gives him a pointed look. “Don’t let go of it.”
His throat bobs as he swallows.
“If you would like to forfeit, Adept Varsley, then you are welcome to do so. However, you will fail your Mage Trials and will be unable to graduate from the Arcanium. The same goes for anyone else who lacks the faith to complete the Trial of Heart.”
Koby quickly shakes his head. “No, Archmage Gidston. I don’t want to forfeit.”
“Good,” she says, her gaze returning to the rest of us. “Then if there are no further questions, we shall begin. Who would like to go first?”
No one steps forth. Aside from the howling wind, there’s only silence. Maybe if nobody volunteers to be the first person to leap, Archmage Gidston will pick someone herself.
Behind my back, I cross my fingers and hope she doesn’t choose me. If I see someone else jump and not die, it will go a long way to bolstering my faith in this trial.
Before Lorette can select anyone, Kaely raises her hand. Tension slips from my shoulders. She’s only volunteering herself to prove how much better she is than me, but for once I’m grateful for her arrogance. I really didn’t want to be the first one to leap off the tower.
“Adept Calton, you wish to go first?”
Kaely’s lips pull into a calculating smile. Her expression makes my heart skip a beat. Whatever she is planning, I’m not sure it has anything to do with her going first.
“Actually, Archmage Gidston, I was wondering whether I could make a suggestion?”
“What suggestion do you wish to make?” Lorette asks.
“I was thinking that it would be the most fitting for Reyna to go first, since her father is the Grandmage of Nolderan. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to see how it’s done.”
My stomach sinks with dread. Everyone’s eyes are on me. I grit my teeth, willing for my apprehension not to show.
I’m probably not the only one who noticed Koby’s fear, but he can afford to show such weakness. His father isn’t the Grandmage of Nolderan. He isn’t being constantly measured against impossible expectations. And not just the expectations imposed on him by others, but also the ones he imposes on himself.
