The Testing by Jonathan Moeller Page B

newest sister.”
    The assembled Magisters and Adepts applauded. 

    ###

    “What happens now?” said Rachaelis. She was glad they could speak Callian again. Twisting her tongue around High Imperial grammar made her teeth hurt. 
    She stood with Thalia and Magister Nazim on the lawn outside the Great Hall, watching the Adepts and Magisters depart the ceremony. Some stopped to congratulate her, but most ignored her. Some walked away, while others vanished in the silver flashes of astraljumps. 
    “Tomorrow, you shall have a banquet,” said Thalia. “It’s more tradition. The sponsor always holds a banquet for the new Adept. Fortunately, I happen to enjoy throwing banquets, and yours shall be the best of the year.”
    “Thank you,” said Rachaelis. “But I meant…what happens next? To me, I mean? I know Adepts have freedom to do as they wish, but…I’m not sure what I should do.”
    Thalia shrugged. “Generally, during their first year new Adepts receive duties from the First Magister himself. They spend some time in the foundries. Some time testing children for magical talent. Some time in the library and the scriptorium. To see where your talents and interests best lie.”
    “And then,” said Magister Nazim, “you will pick a College.”
    “A College?” said Rachaelis. “What’s that?”
    Thalia laughed. “It’s one of those little secrets that we don’t learn until we become Adepts. The Conclave insists upon presenting a united front to the outside world. But within the Conclave…there is sniping, backbiting, petty politics. The ‘Colleges’ are merely the pretty name we give to our factions.”
    Nazim snorted. “You are too cynical, Thalia. A College is an informal society of Adepts who share similar views on the best use of the High Art.”
    “How many are there?” said Rachaelis.
    “Fifteen,” said Thalia. “Some of them overlap.” 
    “Which College do you belong to?” said Rachaelis.
    “Thalia and I both belong to the College Liberia,” said Nazim. “Our main goal is to see the ending of slavery, and to end Araspan’s reliance upon slaves.” He smiled. “Needless to say, we are small and unpopular. Though we do frequently ally with the College Excorisia, which devotes itself to fighting against the demons, and the College Maleficia, which focuses upon hunting those who practice forbidden arts.” 
    “The College Liberia,” said Rachaelis. “I would like to join the College Liberia.”
    “You don’t actually decide until the end of your first year,” said Thalia.
    “Still, we would be pleased to have you join us,” said Nazim. “You were a skilled student, and very strong in the High Art. And, more, you have a compassionate heart,” he glanced around, “something that many of our brothers and sisters lack. But enough of such talk for now. Today is a day of celebration for you, and you should enjoy it.”
    “Yes,” said Thalia. “Come, let’s head to my rooms. We have a banquet to plan, you know.”
    “In a minute,” said Rachaelis. “I…just want to stop by my father’s room for a moment.”
    “Of course,” said Thalia. “Take your time.”
    Magister Nazim bowed. “I’ll leave you ladies to your business. Rachaelis, feel free to call upon me at any time.”
    “Thank you,” said Rachaelis. “For everything.” 
    Magister Nazim smiled and limped away, his cane rasping against the gravel path. 
    “You know,” said Thalia. “You could just astraljump to your father’s room. Since you’re an Adept now, you won’t get in trouble for it.”
    Rachaelis hesitated. It was nearly a mile walk around the Ring from here. “Maybe I will. I’ll meet you in your rooms, Thalia.”
    Thalia nodded, clapped Rachaelis on the shoulder, and walked off. Rachaelis brought the image of her father's room to mind. Then she summoned the power and astraljumped.
    A silver flash, a moment of wrenching disorientation, and Rachaelis found herself in Aramane Morulan’s tower