Arhan weaved slowly around chairs in the dining hall, navigating through fellow students and tutors, all the while feeling like a participant in some bizarrely choreographed dance, as he made his way to his own class’s dining table. Finally, as he reached his seat and awkwardly laid down his tray, Rendel’s sympathetic smiles were too much for him, and he had to say something to control the conversation that was surely imminent.

“Full house today?â€? he chimed.

Rendel began to nod, but Elhana was the first to answer – too quickly for even her own comfort. “Yes. You’re not the first to mention it. Almost everyone is here. It’s always like this, on the day before tests start. The qualified mages try to get everything finished up by today, so they can come together for a last meal and get out of the way before the testing process starts.â€?