Wunderstones. When charged with magic, their cores would spark with energy, giving the normally turqoise-colored rocks an otherworldly gleam. They could be used to power arcanetech devices—although she wasn't entirely sure of how the method functioned—and they were extremely rare to come by. As such, they were worth hundreds.

However, though she had read about them in books and caught glimpses of them in the marketplace whenever she was out running errands, this was the first Elaine had seen one glow. Were they always so bright? It happened in a flash, turqoise-tinted rays pouring like liquid out of the rock on the table. Its light, it forced everyone else, even the headmaster and his strange assistant, to shield their eyes.

Oddly enough, Elaine had yet to peel her sights off the shining spectacle. She froze, utterly beguiled by what she was witnessing. It took Liam tugging her forcefully on her arm and Milo's barks—low-pitched snaps hammering off to her right—for Elaine to regather her senses.

Gasping, she plucked her hand away from the wunderstone. As she did, the light beaming out of its core ceased. It was a normal rock once more. Elaine touched her forehead, collapsing back into the couch feeling faint. Her breathing was heavy, her heart pounded heatedly against her chest, distracting tingles poked at the skin like splinters. It was as if...as if she'd just cast a spell.

"Impressive," said Orion. In spite of him rubbing his eyes, blinking them rapidly as to readjust his vision, the man seemed enthralled. He openly welcomed an amazed smile, and he leaned forward, elbows resting on his thighs. "You'd be surprised at how many candidates I've watched fail that very same test. Don't be fooled, most would not have done what you just did."

Elaine stared at him plainly. "Pardon...?"

"Tell me," he said, "what is it that drew you to the wunderstone? Usually, their worth is determined by how brightly they glow. But this one was drained, having nothing left to offer anyone. It might as well be an ordinary rock, and some might argue it has no place with the rest of this fine collection; treasures originating from the five corners of Althea. Nevertheless, you chose the wunderstone. Why?"

"I...I can't say," Elaine admitted, scratching her nape. "It felt...right somehow. Like the stone was calling to me. There was a hint of...I don't know, something. A tiny voice trying to get out."

"The Eye of the Beholder," said Raze, a taut gargoyle standing next to the headmaster. "Long ago, when sorcerers and magic were new to Incante, they were ostracized, feared. The ruling forces used wunderstones like this one to snuff out the mages hiding within their kingdoms, hoping to capture and execute them before they had a chance to spread Bedlam."

Elaine shuddered. She wasn't an avid historian, especially when compared to Ellend. When she was younger, she always found history to be boring, thousands of words rambling on and on for endless pages, talking about that of which she cared very little about. Nowadays, she'd sneak into Ellend's room to steal some of the texts from his personal library.

Her mother did have a point, not once had Elaine ever left town. Page was all that she knew. Ignorant was she of what all transpired past its borders. When not eavesdropping on fractions of conversations coming from the mouths of travelers, or scanning the tabloids for something, anything, interesting, she'd resort to the knowledge in her brother's texts.

During the Early Centuries, magic was commonly perceived as evil. Some countries even outlawed the practice of magic. Back then, Elaine wondered, were there also persons who aspired to be sorcerers, even if the rest of the world forbade it? Did they ever wonder if an Era of Magic could even be possible?

"I always find it humorously ironic, how the symbol of death for many innocent mages is now used to recognize skillful sorcerers," Orion chuckled. "In any case, Elaine Harwood. I'm happy to announce that you've passed the test." 

Orion stood up, turning to face her parents that were still recovering from the sudden light show. "That there should be adequate evidence, don't you think? Your daughter, she does have the potential to be a Professional Sorcerer."

Mother shook her head, dazed. "W...What? How does this prove...?"

"It should be highlighted," Raze intruded, "the brighter the wunderstone's core burns, the greater amount of Essence that mage possesses. Your daughter, she nearly scorched my eyes out." 

Elaine winced as he shot a crooked glare her way, but he only released an exhale out his scowl. 

"As absurd as it sounds," Raze went on, "this rock proves that she has talent. Talent that should be groomed accordingly."

"Now hang on a minute," said Father, marching right into Raze's face. For a brief moment, Elaine was worried he would assault the man. Ellend did inherit his abrasiveness from somewhere, after all. "I don't care what the damned stone says! You're not taking my daughter anywhere, not if I can help it."

To her surprise, neither of the sorcerers did anything. Orion snapped his fingers, and Raze hurried to collect the items, including the wunderstone, off the table. Just how he managed to store them all inside of his cape, Elaine wasn't entirely certain. 

"As we said," Orion began, "it is entirely her choice. We didn't come here to start a fight, nor do we have any intention of splitting a family apart. This test, as I see it, was merely a means of clarifying if your daughter has a place at my school. As far as I'm concerned, she most definitely does. That being the case, as her parents, I suppose you have the final say-so. Regardless of my opinion, we will not overrule your authority and will respect your decision, whatever it may be."

The tail of his coat flapped as he started for the door, Raze falling into step behind him. "Today has been...taxing for us all. I suspect you might need some time to mull it over. We will return tomorrow morning for an answer."

"Wait," Elaine called, leaping off the couch and charging after them. She caught Orion with his hand on the door handle. He looked over his shoulder at her. Were his eyes...glowing? "Was that really enough? A simple test like that?" Footsteps scuttled to a stop behind her. Soft and small; it was her mother. But Elaine continued, "You haven't seen me cast any spells or how good I am at regulating my magic or—"

Orion raised his finger. "I've seen everything I had to. Rest well, Young Elaine." With that, Orion strode outside, pulling the door closed with a thud. The house was then slowly drenched by a weighted quietness, save for Milo's whimpering—his eyes were more than likely still flaring from the wunderstone's blinding light.

*

* *

"Are you positive this is what you want to do?" Elaine stretched an uncertain breath, and then she took a glance at the photograph in her hands. The young, brown-haired woman looked almost identical to her mother, save for a couple of details. A sharper nose, rounder face, brighter eyes. But their beauty, that was a quality both the twins shared.

Her mother didn't like mentioning Delilah that often. It was a sore spot for her, anchoring her past with misery. That pain was potent. It ate at the nerves, tested one's sanity. To lose a sister, and at such an early age. It wasn't surprising that she was overly reluctant about sending off her only daughter to face an uncertain destiny.

Nevertheless, Elaine was resolute. She had fears of her own, as well as she was doubtful at how well she'd adapt to living in a school befitting a noble's splendor. What if Orion had made a mistake after all? What if she really wasn't as good at magic as Ellend thought she was? What would become of her then? She had a million reasons to reject Headmaster Valerian's offer. Despite everything, there remained a single, solid reason why she would not.

Discovery. It was a dangerous animal, no different from a land dragon gone feral. An inherent threat that one simply couldn't tear their attention away from. She loved magic, that she knew. She wanted to be a Professional Sorcerer, not just to support her family, but to also scratch that passionate itch that had pestered her since childhood.

Elaine sighed to herself, then she spent a peek over at her mother. She was sitting right beside her on the edge of the unmade bed. There seemed to be a lot the woman was contemplating. That distant eyes focused on the floorboards, and her lips quivered like she was on the cusp of uttering a word.

It toyed with Elaine's patience. If she had something to say, then just say it. Why keep it in? But then, another revelation struck her. She'd be going off to Glyph Academy. This would be the last night she'd spend inside her own room. That is, if everything went according to plan...

She scanned the familiar setting: a purple rug sheathing aged wood, a bedside table fixed with a lamp and two, thick fairytale novels—her mother read them to her every night when she was a little girl—that she just couldn't bring herself to discard, a half-opened closet of which stale, dated dresses and clothing hung, a window that allowed for sweet, evening winds to roll inside.

She'd be leaving it all behind. And while there was a sadness in that, it just made her eagerness to explore the rest of the world thrum louder. What else was there in Incante for her to behold?

"If you're doing this for us, Elaine, then you needn't have to," Mother said, hands on her lap. "Our potion shop is going through a rough patch, I'd be one of the Eight Fools if I couldn't tell that much. But in spite of the hardships we've constantly faced, us Harwoods always manage to pull ourselves out of the mud and make something with the reckage."

Elaine nodded. "I know."

"So, if you feel pressured into doing this for our sakes, then daughter I—"

"I love...every single one of you. Even Liam, though I do wish you'd dump him back in the manticore pit you found him in. And I'd be overjoyed if my Professional Sorcerer career could benefit you in some way.

"The thing is, I also want to study magic because, well, to be frank, it's my dream. Potion making and babysitting and fetching fruits from the marketplace. That's not me. I want to explore the rest of Incante, to see what else is out there. I want to use my magic to help others. I want to find out...why Aeris gave me this Gift in the first place. I'm aware of how unreasonable I can get, Mother. I know I'm probably way in over my head. But, at the very least, I want to try." 

Her mother withdrew a breath and said nothing. 

The urticating silence caused Elaine to dejectedly profess, "It's like the headmaster said. You have to make the final decision. But if you and Father truly are against the idea, then I'll do as you say."

"No," her mother denied, shaking her head. "I could never live with myself if I kept you from chasing your dreams, even if I can't comprehend them. Then again, I couldn't quite understand her either." 

Elaine shared her mother's stare at the photograph. A smiling woman attired in her signature Strix uniform consisting of a high-collared dark blue robe with long pants and a pair of sturdy black boots, the golden sun-shaped emblem of the Arcanum embellished above her heart. There she stood proudly in front of the very cottage Elaine and her family called home.

"My parents couldn't change her mind, and the people in town thought her insane. But she proved them all wrong. She became a high-ranking member of the Arcanum. And she paid with her life for it..." 

A grim reality. An unsettling reminder. Most Professional Sorcerers, whether they be affiliated with the Arcaunum or the Military, didn't live past forty. It was by no means a spotless profession. 

"I see that same fire in you that she had. There's nothing I can do to snuff it out, no matter how hard I try. Elaine, if this is the path you're set on walking, then I will support you in any way I can."

Elaine, relieved and partially surprised that that was her answer, welcomed her mother's embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around the woman's waist. "And Father?"

"He'll get over it," she said, stroking rivers of blonde hair. "But you'll have to promise me something."

"Okay."

"That regardless of what they teach you in that school, you won't ever lose sight of what's most important. That you'll come home to your family."

Elaine nodded, determined not to disappoint her. Disappoint any of them. "That I can do."

*

* *

Orion Valerian made good on his word. The next morning, Elaine met the headmaster and also his grim-faced assistant in their front yard. The atmosphere was, if she were to describe it, one filtered with a heavy layer of uncertainty.

Whatever her mother said to get her father to agree with her going off to study at Glyph wasn't enough to placate his frustrations. He had both arms crossed, and the scowl he donned was a potent breed. The kind that'd make an ogre hound shutter. He was worried for her, and was obviously opposed to the all-too-sudden arrangement. But if Mother was on board, then he'd have no choice but to grit his teeth and bear it.

Ellend let his pleasure surge with a smile spreading from one cheek to the next. He was happy, and honestly, why shouldn't he be? His plan had worked; Elaine was allowed to attend her first semester at Glyph. He was seated in his wheelchair posted next to her parents, talking up a storm with the headmaster, Orion himself matching her eldest brother's enthusiasm.

"So, you're really going, are you?" asked Liam. 

Milo wasn't with them as he was often reluctant around strangers. Orion and Raze were no exception. She had made sure to say her farewells to him, however. Giving him a full, five-minute belly rub as he squirmed in contentment on the floor. She'd miss that grumpy, sleep-ridden pooch. Liam, on the other hand...

Elaine dropped into a crouch. Before the young boy could protest, she swallowed him into her hug, relentlessly constricting him as if she were a frilled-python that hadn't eaten in months. She felt his blush like a spot of heat against the side of her face. "No tears for me, little bro? You're not going to be able to pester me anymore."

"Elaine! Let go!" he squealed. With a chuckle, she granted his request, the boy stumbling away, arms raised in front of him. "For your information, I couldn't be happier. With you gone, it means Ma and Pa have more time to spend doting on my every need. Personally, I see this as a win-win."

Elaine rolled her eyes. "Right, of course. By the way, don't think I haven't figured it out."

"Hmm? What are you on about now?"

Elaine leaned closer to him so that nobody could hear her whisper, "Ellend organized my enrollment with the Glyph representatives. Surely, he would have been in constant communication with them via letters and such. But I have to wonder, who was it that ran his mail to the Falcon Masters? Reckon it might be Milo?"

Whenever Liam was caught red-handed in a crime, he was just so terrible at hiding his guilt. He shuffled awkwardly in place, trying to quell the redness engulfing his cheeks. "I...erm...I don't know what you're talking about..."

"Guess that explains why you've been so sleepy as of late."

"El!" Liam spat. "If you dare—"

"Relax. Your secret is safe with me," Elaine grinned, ruffling his light-brown hair. "Watch over them for me while I'm gone, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm on it," Liam groaned. "And...uh, good luck, I guess."

"Aww, you do care about me!"

"Forget it! You're so surgin' annoying!" Liam yelled, angrily marching in the direction of the cottage.

"Headmaster," announced Raze. "The train will be departing soon. If we want to keep on schedule, I suggest we start making our way to the station."

"Yes, yes. I'm coming," Orion said, striding over to him.

Mother and Father trailed after him, and Elaine shared a family hug with them both, knowing full well it'd be the last one for quite a while. "Be safe, my daughter," Father said in that gravelly tone, the beard sprouting on his chin itching her neck like tiny thorns.

"I'll be fine," she said. "I can handle myself."

"I know you can. You've got the blood of a powerful mage in you. Nevertheless, don't lower your guard. You're stepping into a brand new world. Try not to let your excitement distract you from...danger."

Mother swatted him on the shoulder. "Oh, leave her be."

"What? I'm just saying—"

"We didn't raise a sulmo, she'll find her way just fine."

Elaine smiled. I'll try to, at least...

"Hey, El. Got something for you." She recognized Ellend's voice anywhere, and the sound of the rubber wheels of his wheelchair grew louder as he rolled right up to her. He was holding something. "Thought this might come in handy."

He held it out to her. His most cherished possession. Proof that he was, indeed, a sorcerer. His wand. Elaine hesitated, perplexity cascading on her face. "Ellend..." she said aghast. "I can't—"

"You will," he affirmed. "Last I checked, you don't have a wand, do you? They're surgin' expensive, trust me. Even a Common Wand like mine. With this, you won't have to waste precious tokens."

"But...I—"

"Take it," he grinned in his chair. "A piece of me, to bring along with you on your journey. I'm too impatient. I want to visit Glyph Academy as soon as possible, in one way or the other."

Elaine's voice was trembling, but she took his wand as she said, "This will only be temporary, brother. I'll return it to you once I get my own."

"Whatever makes you feel better, sis," Ellend shrugged.

"Mother, Father," Elaine said, paying a nod to them each. "I'll make you both proud."

Her emotions, they swelled with an exuberant thrill. Elaine felt the tears starting to geyser, and so she turned her back to them, her family. If she gave into the soggy temptation, started pouring her eyes out here and now, she feared that she might abandon her intentions, and stay in Page forever.

No, she had to be strong. They believed in her, and so she had to believe in herself. She grabbed the strap of her satchel, and the suitcase bumped across the soil trail behind her. Clinging onto the determination set ablaze inside her heart, she waved at them for a final time, absorbing the image of the white-stoned, nostalgic cottage into her memory. 

And then, the girl left, following Orion and Raze as they led her—their clothes billowing in a breeze that swept the glades—into the future. Her future.