Lily Wethermann stared at the gates that separated the precincts of the Schola Magae from the outside world. In the light of Flower Moon, the hawthorn wood panels and cold iron banding of the gates were dark and imposing.

According to the traditions of the schola, a student would only pass through these gates twice in their life. The first time was when they entered the college as an apprentice. Then the gates would be opened for them. The second time was when they left the college as a fully-fledged witch. Then they would have to open the gates themselves, in a display of their power and abilities. Otherwise, the students at the Schola Magae would remain within the walls of the school.

"Loelia?" Demoiselle Haven tapped her student's knee. "Are you alright?"

Lily - she was only Loelia when she was in trouble - shook herself and concentrated on the demoiselle's words. "I'm sorry, demoiselle. I was thinking about something."

Demoiselle Haven arched her eyebrows at Lily. "Well, Loelia, I hope you were thinking about your future." Lily blushed. The demoiselle's eyes narrowed. "And well you should be embarrassed. How long have you been a student here?"

"Since my seventh birthday."

"You seventh birthday? And what age are you now?"

The question was rhetorical, but Lily felt that she had to before Demoiselle Haven answered for her. "I will be twenty-one in October."

"So you have been here for almost fourteen years. Fourteen years, Loelia. By any measure, you are now a woman, not a girl. All of those who entered this school at the same time as you have left. You should be thinking about leaving this place - and what you will do in the world outside its walls."

"I-I'm not sure, demoiselle," Lily stuttered. "I haven't given it much thought." In truth, Lily had often tried to think about what she would do when she left the Schola Magae, but every time she did so her mind had blanked, overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty.

Demoiselle Haven shook her head. "Well I suggest that you do. I will give you a fortnight. By then I expect you to have some kind of answer for me by then."

"Yes, demoiselle." Sure that the meeting was over, Lily stood up. "I will."

As Lily reached the door of the demoiselle's study, the older witch called after her. "And that is not an excuse for you to neglect your studies! I expect to see your essay waiting for me in pigeonhole tomorrow afternoon."

What would the outside world be like? Lily's memories of her life before entering the school were hazy. She could remember her parents. She could remember endless summer days. She could remember how much she had wanted to become a witch. And now she was one in all but name. Her time in the college had not been wasted. Lily had devoted herself to her studies; learning how to perform conjurations, brew potions and summon spirits. But she had not been a brilliant student. It was her hard work and dedication that had kept her in the schola; not her talents.

But now Lily had to face up to her potential - or her lack of it. If - No! When she left the college, what kind of witch would she be? What would she do? What she knew about life outside the schola walls she had learnt from those who had entered after her. The newcomers had brought all-too-brief glimpses of life and nuggets of news. Certainly it was not enough for her to base her future on. But she had to come to a decision. Lily reached out to touch the ancient wood of the gates.

Today was a Leaving Day: a day when one of the student had decided that she would declare herself a witch and return to the outside world to seek her fortune. Hecata van Loos was only sixteen, but she was skilled and confident. She had entered the Schola Magae at the age of eleven. Her talent had come later than most applicants', but it had been great enough to propel her through the school and to become one of the most able students there. Lily had spent a year being tutored by Hecata - Demoiselle Haven had thought the younger student's gifts would encourage her - and while she had benefitted form the experience, Lily had bridled under the girl's smug authority. Despite this, she was jealous of the attention currently being focussed on Hecata.

Hecata's Leaving Day was going to be in character with her time in the schola. The entire faculty and student body of the college had gathered in the main quadrangle to bid the new witch farewell. It was obvious from the excited buzz filling the air that Hecata's departure was going to be the talk of the school.

Dressed in fulgrim smock and cloak, Hecata faced the Regis of the schola. The Regis signalled for silence before making her speech. "Hecata van Loos! You have declared yourself to be a graduate of the Schola Magae; a witch who has finished her studies and who is ready to enter the world. Now you must prove yourself a witch in both word and deed."

Hecata bowed respectfully to the Regis, then turned to face the great wood and iron gates. She spread her arms and began to chant.

Despite the summer heat, a chill arose as Hecata's spell took effect. A wind came from out of nowhere, chasing around the colonnades, lifting the hems of cloaks and skirts, and lifting the dust from the ground. The wind grew in strength as Hecata continued her chanting, then formed a swirling mass of air around her. With one last triumphant syllable of power, Hecata thrust her arms towards the schola's gates, throwing the whirlwind at them. With a loud crash, the gates were flung open.

Through the dust, Lily caught a glimpse of the street outside the schola, filled with startled onlookers.

Her spell done, the gates opened, Hecata once more turned to face the Regis and bowed.

"Hecata van Loos," the Regis declared. "You have declared yourself a witch and opened the gates before you. As is the tradition, you are set free to walk the path of your life. Go. With our blessings."

Hecata turned away and, with nary a glance back, picked up her bundle of possessions and crossed the threshold to leave the Schola Magae. Two of the college servants hurried forward to close the gates behind her.

The ceremony over, the Regis dismissed the rest. "There will be a half-day's holiday in honour of today. Go and enjoy yourselves." While the students left, chattering amongst themselves about Hecata's departure, Liily remained, staring at the gates.

Lily's mind was racing. She could stay in the schola, remaining a student forever. Or she could open the gates and walk out. One choice would lead to a life of routine and safety. As for the other? Lily had no idea what would happen to her if she left the college. But it would be a life that she would make for herself.

The choice was made.

Demoiselle Haven stared at Lily, a look of surprise on her face. "Really? Tell me, Loelia, did our chat really make that much of a difference?"

Lily nodded. "It did, demoiselle. Thank you."

"Indeed!" Demoiselle Haven thought for a moment. "I would appreciate it if you would share your thoughts with me. Will you?"

Lily sat down in the chair that the demoiselle reserved for visitors to her study. "I would be happy to."

"Loelia Wethermann!" Demoiselle Haven announced to the empty quadrangle. "You have declared yourself to be a graduate of the Schola Magae; a witch who has finished her studies and who is ready to enter the world. Now you must prove yourself a witch in both word and deed."

Lily bowed respectfully to her old teacher, then turned to face the great, iron-bound gates. She stepped forward, and pushed. To her surprise, the gates opened easily, silently, revealing the moonlit street outside.

"Lily Wethermann," the demoiselle said. "You have declared yourself a witch and opened the gates before you. As is the tradition, you are set free to walk the path of your life. Go. With my blessings."

And, with that, Lily picked up her bundle of possessions and slipped between the gates of the Schola Magae.