Trials: Page 3

Master Mage Forester POV

I sat, with the other three Master mages, around a large wooden table, a stack of manila folders splayed across the middle. Cups of coffee, both full and empty litter the table, and a box of donuts had been picked clean several hours prior.

Of the remaining first week apprentices, none, in particular, had stood out to me. My colleagues had each taken a few of the notable applicants, but most would be passed down to the High mages next week. A short elvish intern, I believe his name was Sam, deposited a stack of papers containing the second week's applicants.

Next to me, Master Daniel Smith plucked up a file, leafing through it.

"Oh, this one, Alexis North, passed the Trial of Cunning, though she lost the Trial of Combat."

I tossed away the file I had been looking through and looked over his shoulder.

"Ooh, she got a one-twenty-two in Control, a ninety-seven in history, and a one hundred-three in spell and potion knowledge. Only a sixty-seven in power though."

"Eh, you can have her, I like my students to have a bit more bite than that. Plus, she seems weird enough for you."

I slid her folder in my case. Annoying as he was, Smith was right. I had something of a knack for weird students. Simply much more interesting than the more normal ones.

From this week's, I had selected another four, and I was ready to look back through the remainder of week one. Until another Master, Jameson, slid one my way.

"This guy's right up your alley. Check his scores."

I opened the folder. Evan Johnson. One-twenty-two in history, ninety-two in spell and potion knowledge, thirty-three in control, and one-hundred-fifty in power.

I nearly spat out my coffee. I had never seen anyone with a higher power score, nor such a low control.

"Oh yeah, this guy's going into my class."

The other three laughed.

"Good luck, Forester, control and power like that, it'll be a miracle if your school is still standing in six months."

"Hah, we'll see. Anyway, I've got my six, good luck with yours."

A round of affirmative mumbling followed as I left the room to send my new apprentices their letters of acceptance.