The door shut behind Morena with a soft thud, sealing her inside a dimly lit chamber. The room was round, the walls carved from smooth stone with faint symbols glowing along the edges. A single lantern hung from the ceiling, giving off a low golden light.

In the center sat an older man.

His hair was completely gray, long enough to brush his shoulders, and his beard reached his chest in thin, wispy strands. His robes were dark green and loose, and though Morena could not sense his strength, it only made sense that he, too, was a Wizard, perhaps even stronger than the man before.

He didn't look up when she entered; it was only when the door clicked that his eyes rose.

"You are the one Verin dragged in. He sent a notice that he had found one with potential while out."

It wasn't a question; he was simply stating a fact.

"Yes."

"Name."

"Morena Ravenscroft."

"Sit."

She obeyed and moved closer to the man before lowering herself onto the stool across from him. He didn't look at her properly once; instead, he reached under the table and lifted a bowl, the contents of which didn't seem to be water, but rather an odd liquid.

It was black with an almost metallic sheen that gave it a hue, yet it had no reflection or depth that could be seen in that hue.

"The first test."

He pushed the bowl toward her.

"You will place your face into this. I recommend holding your breath, but do as you wish. You need to close your eyes and keep them closed. You will feel the lights around you. Do not overthink, do not analyze. All you need is to rely on instincts only."

Morena frowned slightly at the odd test; obviously confused as to what he was referring to.

"What lights?"

"You will know when you feel it. Now, begin."

She was still confused as to what the man was referring to. Wizards always spoke in such odd tones, but who was she to question it? He said to do it, so she just had to follow through.

She leaned forward and dipped her face into the cold black liquid. It felt like ice sliding across her skin, then the world went quiet. She felt as if her heartbeat had slowed, and she felt like she was drifting somewhere else entirely.

Then, softly, something flickered.

Light.

Not seen with the eyes, but felt with something deeper.

First came a small dimness. Like a weak flickering flame in the wind, it was dim, so dim she could barely see the color. But it was a muted mixture of pinkish black.

Then another.

It was so much brighter, stronger. It was like a radiant blaze of fire that roared to life, threatening to devour the life around it; a violent flame so blinding she felt like closing her eyes.

But they were already closed.

She focused, letting instinct guide her.

Two lights, that was all she could see, even if she looked around more; even if she tried to sense for anything else.

She pulled back suddenly, gasping for breath as the cold liquid dripped down her chin.

The man watched with half-lidded eyes.

"Well?"

"I saw them, the lights. I saw two, purple and black."

He nodded at the words; it seemed it wasn't out of the ordinary to see multiple lights at once. This pleased Morena because she didn't want to stand out.

"How bright was each one?"

"The black one was dim; it was like a flickering candle at best."

He hummed.

"That's slightly below average, not bad. And the purple?"

Morena hesitated because she wasn't sure if the brightness of it would make her stand out, so she decided to describe it a little dimmer than it actually was.

"It was like a campfire."

The man's fingers twitched.

His face changed for a moment, surprise tightening the wrinkles around his eyes before quickly smoothing out again.

"A strong mental affinity. Impressive, much higher than average it seems."

He tapped the side of the bowl.

"You will learn more in time. For now, understand this. There are multiple affinities a Wizard could have; purple is the color of the Mental Arts. Thought. Will. Illusion. Anything tied to the mind."

He lifted a finger.

"Black is the color of Dark Arts. Decay. Forbidden arts. A dangerous path, but not evil or useless, just depends on how you use it."

He let silence settle before moving to the next object on the table.

A clear crystal orb, it was made out of a clear material that allowed one to see straight through it without any blur.

"Second test."

He placed it before her.

"This will measure your aptitude. How far your potential as a Wizard goes. Most people have none, and they will never step onto the path of a Wizard in their lives, but since you're here, you should have some. Those who do rarely become anything worth noting."

He gestured.

"Touch it."

Morena rested her hand on the orb and, for a moment, nothing happened.

Then the light formed within the middle of the crystal slowly.

It was a soft glow, so weak, so feeble. Barely reaching the edges of the crystal itself.

He stared at it for a few seconds, then removed her hand.

"Your aptitude is low. A two, there are six in total."

He said it plainly, as if it meant nothing.

"With this aptitude, your growth will be slow. You might reach second-rank apprentice at best. Becoming an actual Wizard will be difficult."

Morena swallowed, but didn't look away.

"Is it impossible?"

"Not impossible."

His voice softened just a little.

"I have seen strange things in this world. People with less talent than you have climbed higher than they had any right to. And I have seen geniuses rot at the bottom."

He closed his hand over the orb and pulled it aside.

"Work hard. That is all anyone can do. Obsession is the fuel any Wizard needs to succeed."

He stood for the final object.

A tall mirror.

Its frame was blackened metal, twisted like the roots of a dead tree. The surface of the mirror did not reflect her immediately; instead, it rippled like disturbed water.

"The last test. Mental fortitude."

He motioned toward the mirror.

"Beyond having an affinity or potential, the stability of your mind is important as a Wizard. Many overlook it, but it's important. This will show you things. Pain. Fear. Memory. It tests the strength of the mind. There are ten stages. Each one will press harder than the last."

Morena stepped forward.

"Look into it. Do not break eye contact. If you cannot endure, step back."

She inhaled and faced the mirror.

The surface rippled.

Images burst forward. Not memories, but sensations. It felt odd; it was like the feelings she felt during specific moments: violence, hunger, grief. People she cared for were dying in front of her. Faces screaming her name. Her own reflection twisted into something monstrous.

Stage one.

Then two.

Then three.

Her heart hammered in her chest.

Her breath shook.

By stage five, her knees trembled, but this was nothing to her; this was what she felt like, knowing she would die if she couldn't become strong.

By stage six, she felt a pressure like her skull would crack.

When stage seven hit, she felt as though she was drowning.

Her vision blurred, her heartbeat roared in her ears, and her body threatened to collapse.

But she held on.

Barely.

When stage eight crept in like a cold hand, she stumbled backward and tore her gaze away.

The mirror stilled instantly.

The old man didn't speak for several seconds. He just watched her breathe, watched her wipe the sweat from her forehead.

"Seven."

He finally said.

"Very impressive. You have a powerful mind, stronger than most apprentices. Even stronger than some full Wizards."

He sat back down and reached for a small cloth bag.

"Your tests are complete."

He tossed it to her, and she caught it easily once she had stabilized her feelings.

"Inside is your badge, it has your number on it. Your dorm room is on the third floor. Keep the badge with you at all times; if you lose it, you won't be allowed to roam the halls."

He rubbed his forehead tiredly.

"The Tower does not force anyone to train. But it does test you, constantly. Those who cannot keep up are either expelled or die. You began later than the others this year, but you can manage with that mind of yours."

He closed his eyes.

"It is the highest I have seen."

Morena tightened her grip on the bag.

"Thank you."

He waved her off.

"Read the book inside the bag before doing anything else. It will explain what you must do next and other basic stuff. Now go. I have more work than I care for."

Morena nodded once and stepped toward the hallway, exiting through the door she came from and going toward the staircase leading upwards. Along the way she checked her badge number so she could find her room easily.

She felt very mentally drained from all the tests; and right now she just wanted to rest.

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