Introduction: Page 5

There she was. Standing next to the best mage, probably of all time. Victoria was everything a Valentine is supposed to be. Regal. Confident. Successful.

And for the first time in 18 years, I wasn't jealous. Because now I had a chance. So I cheered. When Tormani took the stage and announced her name, and the four others who were now his apprentices, I cheered as loud as everyone else.

It took another fifteen minutes for the rest of the Arch Mages to give their very well-practiced speeches and announce their own apprentices.

When the cheering stopped, we, and other families, approached the Arch Mages next to the stage.

Victoria was excitedly talking with my Dad, while Damian chatted with the other apprentices.

"Lucas, how have you been?"

I turned to see Tormani himself, smiling warmly at me, with his hand outstretched.

I shook his hand firmly. His skin felt like sandpaper.

"Mr. Tormani, nice to see you again. I'm doing well actually. And I should say, an excellent decision this year. Vic is obviously amazing, and I've heard good things about the others."

It was small talk, sure, but Tormani had a way of making every conversation feel like the most important conversation you'll ever have.

"Ah, please, I think we've known each other long enough for you to call me Markus. And you're right, your sister is one hell of a mage. It's a shame you won't be joining her."

"It is, but, hey, not everyone gets lucky like you and her. Some of us have to earn what we want."

I meant it jokingly and even finished it off with a chuckle. But I swear, I saw his eyes narrow by just a hair. But just as I noticed it, it was gone, leaving me wondering if I'd actually seen it.

"Well, I'm sure you'll do great things, even without magic. You Valentines never disappoint."

He moved to talk with another apprentices parent, and I turned to talk to my sister.

"Hey Vic, how are you feeling?"

Her smile nearly went from ear to ear.

"Oh my gods, Lucas, it doesn't feel real. This is all I've wanted, and now it's here."

"Hey, you earned this. All those late nights finally paid off."

"Now let's hope I actually join the Guild and don't end up playing Psyball."

She and I laughed before a more solemn look came over us both.

"I'm gonna miss you, you know. It's gone be weird, not having my little brother around."

"Oh bite me, you're 30 seconds older, that's hardly a difference. But yeah, I'll miss you, too."

She hugged me tightly and whispered in my ear.

"Don't do something stupid. It only takes 1 rotten apple to spoil the bunch."

She pulled away, eyes staring into mine, searching for something, though I have no idea what.

"I'll make you proud, just wait. The world isn't prepared for the likes of me."

We all said our goodbyes, and the Arch Mages teleported away to their schools. A speaker took the stage, announcing that the second round of trials, this one to select the student of the High Mages, would begin in 5 minutes.

My father and Damian were both ready to leave, but I had something else in mind.

"You guys go ahead, I'm gonna do a bit of shopping while all the stores are empty."

A lie, sure, but another necessary one. Once they were gone, I turned and went straight to the registration booth.

An old goblin woman squinted at me through a pair of bifocals. When she spoke, she did so with a thick New Jersey accent.

"What's ya name, sweetheart?"

"Uh, Evan. Evan Johnson."

I really hoped I was as good at lying as I thought.

"Alright Evan, just sign here and here, go right over to that room there, and you'll start the first trial. Good luck, sweety."

She gestured with a bony finger, and after signing where she indicated, I went to the building she had pointed to.

Opening the door and stepping inside, I felt a teleportation spell whisk me away.

Victoria had mentioned this. None of the trials happened in the same country, and the closest rooms were hundreds of miles from each other. So, they teleported you between the rooms.

In the room I was in, there was a man sitting at a desk, with 5 chairs in front of him, both on the hardwood floor, right in the center.

"Welcome, Evan. Please, take a seat."

Hey guys, just wanted to wish you all a happy 2022, lets see if we just maybe can not fuck it up.

-TC