When Luo Wei reached the Junior Division meeting room, she pushed the door open and instantly locked onto a head of gleaming gold.

In that moment she knew exactly who had kicked up trouble and dragged her here.

No doubt—among the nine students present, only one was at odds with her: scheming Axina.

Their gazes met. Luo Wei narrowed her eyes; Axina's look was… odd.

Jealousy. Unwillingness. And faint expectation?

Weird, Luo Wei thought. Did this succubus forget to wring the water out of her brain before leaving home?

She broke eye contact and surveyed the room.

Professors Moses, Tobias, Temple, Mike, Phil, plus the sword instructor—Coach Cumberland. The entire Junior Division faculty was here.

On the other side two pairs of pale blue eyes blinked at her madly, like a string of failing bulbs.

A closer look—Hol Felix and Gladys Sharp.

Why were they here too?

Before she could greet them, Professor Moses spoke. "Sit, Luo Wei. Sit down—let's talk about next month's magic tournament."

"The tournament?" Luo Wei hesitated. "But I'm not on the team."

"I was just getting to that," Professor Moses said solemnly. "Axina isn't feeling well. She's worried she can't finish the matches, so she's recommended you as captain—with her as your substitute."

"Of course whether you participate is your choice, but it concerns the Academy's honor. We hope you'll weigh it carefully."

"Luo Wei, we all believe you're suited to lead. What is your decision?"

As Professor Moses finished, Luo Wei understood.

Axina had probably heard the Divine College was coming and feared her identity would be exposed, so she wanted out. The roster had been set two months ago; without a compelling reason the Academy wouldn't let her withdraw—so she targeted Luo Wei, offering a compromise: let the Academy choose its "second option."

No wonder that look was both resentful and hopeful. She could have dazzled in the arena, but the Divine College's sudden entry forced her to surrender a shot at glory. In her mind, Luo Wei was "taking her place" and should feel indebted.

Problem: Luo Wei didn't want to compete either.

She hadn't before. Now that the Divine College was coming, she wanted to even less.

If Axina didn't dare go up, why should she?

Having sorted it out, Luo Wei prepared her polite refusal. She looked sincerely at Professor Moses. "Professor, I—"

"Knock knock knock!"

The sudden rapping cut her off. Professor Moses lifted a hand. "Hold that thought."

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She looked toward the door and raised her voice. "Come in!"

The door swung open. Headmaster Morrison and Professor Pence stood in the doorway.

"Headmaster?"

Everyone started and rose.

"Sit," Headmaster Morrison said as he entered, warm in tone. "What are you discussing with the children?"

Professor Moses glanced back; Professor Pence gave a slight shake of his head.

Headmaster Morrison pulled over a chair beside the students and sat, facing the six Junior Division professors. His voice stayed calm.

"Pence didn't tell me you were meeting. He came because a student thought of a way to resist light magic. After I heard it, I decided on the spur of the moment to consult you."

Professor Pence added, "Yes. The student happens to be from your division—Luo Wei."

Professor Moses looked surprised. "Was it you, child?"

All eyes in the room fixed on Luo Wei.

Headmaster Morrison seemed to "notice" her only then; the muscles around his mouth tugged, lifting his freshly trimmed Balbo beard. "Ah, Luo Wei—what are you doing here?"

"Oh, and Gladys. Hol." He spotted the two troublemakers. "Finished your community labor?"

"Headmaster…" Professor Pence faltered.

Headmaster Morrison said nothing. Professor Moses, expression composed, addressed the bewildered students. "Children, you may go. We'll discuss the tournament tomorrow."

The air turned curiously stifling. The ten students—official members, alternates, plus Luo Wei—slipped out quickly and quietly.

Once they were gone, Professor Temple stood, found a pretext to take Professor Phil and Coach Cumberland out, leaving only the Academy's senior staff.

Professor Moses flicked a spell; doors and windows sealed. Anger burned in her gaze as she fixed on Headmaster Morrison. "What are you trying to do? Siria's opponents this year are strong. If you pass over our best students, do you really want the Academy to lose its charter?"

"It's not that drastic. All the children are equally outstanding," Headmaster Morrison repeated his earlier line. "Besides, the ones you favor have all made mistakes. They're not suitable to represent us."

Professor Moses looked deeply disappointed. "You weren't like this before, Asa. You've strayed from the purpose we founded this Academy on."

"Calm down, Eudora," Professor Tobias soothed, holding her hand. She turned to the Headmaster. "You know the Church's opinion of us keeps worsening. Our graduates have been suppressed more and more these past two years."

"The aftermath of what happened ten years ago hasn't faded. The closer we get to the prophetic time, the more aggressive they'll be."

"Prince Alfried sending the Divine College this time may reflect the Pope's will. If the Academy is dissolved, what happens to the commoner students? The Church will go after them. Can you bear that?"

Headmaster Morrison stayed silent a long while, then said hoarsely, "If it truly comes to that, Lady Tobias, take the children into the Church."

"Enough!" Professor Moses slammed the table and stood. "You want Jacqueline to take them into the Church? Have you considered her? The Pope already suspects her. Do you think she'll have a good life if she returns?"

Lady Jacqueline Tobias—an Archbishop of the Church—had been sent at the Academy's founding to monitor its every move. But she had known the Headmaster before joining the Church and had long helped the Academy gather intelligence—detailed information on Light Purification among it.

"Please, stop arguing," Professor Mike sighed heavily, tugging one then another. "Sit—let's discuss this properly. Sit."

Oldest here, he still held some sway.

Professor Moses sat back down, face still dark. "Professor Mike, I'm not picking a fight. You know as well as I do—according to the prophecy, the commoner hero fated to overthrow the Church may already be inside our Academy."

"If the Academy dissolves now, the Church—afraid of the prophecy—will slaughter every commoner student. We cannot allow that."

"I know, I know," Professor Mike said quickly, turning to Headmaster Morrison. "Asa, tell us your thinking. You must have a reason for barring those kids. Are you worried the prophesied hero is among them?"

Professor Moses hadn't considered that angle. She looked at the Headmaster in surprise. "Asa—is that it?"

Headmaster Morrison nodded gravely. "That's part of it."

Professor Moses ignored the qualifier. "If that's your worry, that's easy. The prophecy specifies a commoner student. We exclude the commoner students—keep only the nobles."

Professor Tobias agreed. "Of the three we selected, only Hol Felix is a commoner. Cross his name out; add Luo Wei and Gladys."

…

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