Chapter 53: The Student Handbook

Ethan Vale had survived the Final War.

He had fought the Observer.

He had rejected the First Thought.

He had defeated armies, ancient vessels, and several versions of himself.

None of those experiences had prepared him for the Headmaster’s office.

"Why are you sweating?" Noah Blake asked.

"I am not."

"You are."

"It is warm."

"The hallway is frozen."

Ethan glanced at the ice covering the floor.

Elena Frost had accidentally frozen it during an argument with Adrian.

"I am sweating internally."

Noah nodded solemnly.

"That is worse."

The four of them stood outside the Headmaster’s office.

Ethan.

Noah.

Rowan.

And Elena, who had insisted on coming because, according to her, "someone had to prevent the conversation from becoming stupid."

Adrian had wanted to come as well, but Professor Voss had assigned him to remove the ice from the corridor.

He had accepted the task as if it were a military operation.

"I will complete the mission," he had said.

Then he had slipped and fallen twice.

The door to the Headmaster’s office opened.

A small enchanted plaque beside it displayed:

**ETHAN VALE — ENTER ALONE.**

Noah looked at Ethan.

"Well, that is unfortunate."

Ethan opened the door.

The plaque changed.

**NOAH BLAKE — DO NOT ENTER.**

Noah pointed at it.

"It knows me personally."

Ethan stepped inside.

The Headmaster’s office was not large.

There was a desk, three bookshelves, a window, and a large portrait of the academy’s founder.

The founder looked like an elderly man with a long white beard.

He was also asleep.

Ethan stopped before the desk.

A stack of papers waited for him.

At the top was a title:

**ACADEMY REGULATIONS — WRITTEN EVALUATION**

Ethan stared at it.

The Headmaster was absent.

The portrait continued sleeping.

A small bell rang on the desk.

A paper slid toward Ethan.

**PLEASE SIT.**

Ethan sat.

Another paper appeared.

**PLEASE DO NOT THREATEN THE EXAM.**

Ethan looked toward the portrait.

"I have not threatened it."

The founder opened one eye.

"You were thinking about it."

Ethan stood.

The portrait closed its eye again.

A new line appeared on the paper:

**QUESTION ONE: WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A CLASSROOM?**

Ethan wrote:

**To teach students.**

The answer vanished.

A new message appeared:

**INCOMPLETE.**

Ethan frowned.

He wrote:

**To teach students without destroying the building.**

The paper remained still.

Then:

**ACCEPTED.**

Ethan looked toward the portrait.

The founder was still pretending to sleep.

The second question appeared.

**QUESTION TWO: HOW MANY TRAINING CRYSTALS MAY A STUDENT DESTROY DURING ONE LESSON?**

Ethan stared at the question.

He wrote:

**None.**

The paper immediately turned red.

**INCORRECT.**

Ethan’s expression darkened.

"What?"

The portrait opened one eye.

"Why are you surprised?"

"The rule says none."

"The official rule says no more than one."

Ethan looked toward the paper.

**CORRECTION: A STUDENT MAY DESTROY ONE TRAINING CRYSTAL PER TERM.**

Ethan sat back down.

"That is a ridiculous rule."

The portrait shrugged.

"It was created after you destroyed seven in one morning."

"I was testing the limits of the equipment."

"You tested the limits of the budget."

A knock came from the door.

Noah opened it before Ethan could answer.

The plaque beside the door changed:

**NOAH BLAKE — UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY.**

Noah stepped inside.

"I heard there was an exam."

Ethan looked at him.

"You were told not to enter."

"I was told by a plaque."

"It was clear."

"It was rude."

The portrait looked at Noah.

"And why are you here?"

"To support my friend."

"You have a detention tomorrow."

"I can support people while under disciplinary review."

The portrait considered this.

"That is technically true."

Noah sat beside Ethan.

A second examination paper appeared in front of him.

Noah looked at it.

"Do I have to take this?"

"Yes."

"Can I leave?"

"No."

"Can I fail?"

"Probably."

Noah smiled.

"Excellent."

Ethan looked at his paper.

"Why are you happy?"

"Because failing is easier than passing."

The first question appeared on Noah’s paper.

**WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A CLASSROOM?**

Noah wrote:

**To create an environment where students are unable to escape.**

The paper turned red.

**INCORRECT.**

Noah looked offended.

"That is objectively true."

The portrait pointed toward Ethan’s paper.

"Try his answer."

Noah copied:

**To teach students without destroying the building.**

His paper flashed green.

**ACCEPTED.**

Noah leaned toward Ethan.

"I am learning from you."

"That is not reassuring."

Another knock sounded.

Rowan entered.

The plaque changed:

**ROWAN — AUTHORIZED NEW STUDENT.**

Noah looked at the plaque.

"You like him more."

The plaque displayed:

**YES.**

Noah placed a hand over his heart.

"This academy is cruel."

Rowan sat beside them.

"Why are we taking another test?"

"Because the academy wishes to determine whether we understand its regulations."

Rowan nodded.

"I understand."

Noah looked at him.

"You have been a student for one day."

"I have observed several rules."

"Which ones?"

"Do not destroy the training crystals. Do not attack the classroom signs. Do not enter restricted rooms."

Noah coughed.

"Those are excellent rules."

The portrait looked at him.

"You broke all three."

"Observation is different from application."

The next question appeared.

**QUESTION THREE: WHAT SHOULD A STUDENT DO IF THEY DISCOVER A FORBIDDEN ROOM?**

Rowan wrote:

**Inform a professor.**

His paper flashed green.

Noah wrote:

**Enter the room carefully and bring snacks.**

His paper turned red.

**INCORRECT.**

Noah frowned.

"What if the room has snacks?"

**STILL INCORRECT.**

Ethan glanced at him.

"Your answer explains most of your problems."

Elena entered next.

The plaque displayed:

**ELENA FROST — AUTHORIZED.**

Noah pointed at the plaque.

"Why is everyone authorized except me?"

The plaque replied:

**YOU ARE A LIABILITY.**

Elena took the empty seat beside Ethan.

"What did I miss?"

"Noah is being insulted by the furniture."

"The furniture is correct."

Noah looked betrayed.

"You are supposed to be my friend."

"I am your friend. That is why I am honest."

The portrait cleared its throat.

"Question four."

A new page appeared.

**WHAT SHOULD A STUDENT DO DURING A CLASS?**

Elena wrote:

**Pay attention, take notes, and avoid unnecessary disturbances.**

Her answer turned green.

Adrian appeared in the doorway.

The plaque displayed:

**ADRIAN CROSS — AUTHORIZED WITH CONDITIONS.**

Adrian looked at it.

"What conditions?"

The plaque replied:

**DO NOT TURN THE EXAM INTO A MILITARY BRIEFING.**

Adrian’s face became serious.

"I object to the wording."

"No one asked," Noah said.

Adrian sat beside Elena.

The portrait looked at the group.

"Answer the question."

Adrian wrote:

**Maintain discipline, follow the instructor’s orders, and remain prepared for emergencies.**

The paper turned yellow.

**PARTIALLY ACCEPTED.**

Adrian frowned.

"What was missing?"

"Learning," Ethan said.

Adrian looked at him.

"Learning is implied."

The portrait shook its head.

"Never assume education is implied."

The next question appeared.

**QUESTION FIVE: WHAT IS THE PROPER RESPONSE TO AN EMERGENCY?**

Ethan wrote:

**Assess the threat, protect the students, and follow the evacuation procedure.**

His paper turned green.

Noah wrote:

**Run first and ask questions after reaching a safe distance.**

His paper turned yellow.

**PARTIALLY ACCEPTED.**

Noah looked proud.

"I am improving."

Elena glanced at his answer.

"You did not mention helping anyone."

"I assumed that would happen after the running."

The portrait sighed.

Rowan wrote:

**Ask what kind of emergency it is.**

His paper turned green.

Noah stared.

"That is actually smarter than my answer."

Rowan looked at him.

"You should ask questions before running."

Noah nodded.

"I will consider this."

The paper appeared:

**QUESTION SIX: WHAT SHOULD A STUDENT DO IF ANOTHER STUDENT IS IN DANGER?**

Everyone wrote.

Ethan:

**Help them.**

Elena:

**Help them immediately.**

Adrian:

**Protect them and notify the instructor.**

Rowan:

**Ask whether they want help.**

Noah:

**Determine whether helping them will get me in trouble.**

Every paper except Noah’s turned green.

Noah looked at the portrait.

"You are judging me."

"I am evaluating you."

"That sounds like judgment with paperwork."

The portrait leaned closer inside the frame.

"You are not wrong."

A sudden alarm rang through the academy.

The office windows darkened.

Black letters appeared in the air:

**EMERGENCY DETECTED.**

Everyone stood.

Noah looked at his paper.

"Is this part of the exam?"

The portrait nodded.

"Practical portion."

Ethan drew his sword.

A red message appeared beneath the first:

**STUDENT MISSING.**

Elena immediately turned toward the door.

"Who?"

The academy answered through every wall.

**ADRIAN CROSS.**

Everyone looked at Adrian.

Adrian blinked.

"I am here."

The message changed.

**INCORRECT ADRIAN CROSS.**

Adrian’s expression became offended.

"There is another one?"

A second message appeared.

**STUDENT MISSING: ROWAN.**

Everyone turned toward Rowan.

His chair was empty.

The window beside him stood open.

Noah stared at the empty seat.

"He was here a second ago."

Ethan activated the Witness.

The room was empty of magical traces.

No spell.

No portal.

No struggle.

Only a small violet mark on Rowan’s desk.

Elena looked toward the portrait.

"Where is he?"

The portrait pointed toward the window.

The sky above the academy was clear.

But a faint violet line stretched from the window toward the old eastern tower.

The forbidden tower.

The one students were not allowed to enter.

Noah looked at Ethan.

"Do we inform a professor?"

Ethan was already moving toward the door.

The plaque displayed:

**DO NOT ENTER RESTRICTED AREAS.**

Ethan opened the door.

Noah followed.

The plaque changed:

**THIS INCLUDES YOU, ETHAN.**

Ethan ignored it.

Elena and Adrian followed.

The portrait shouted after them:

"Do not forget your exams!"

Noah called back:

"We are in an emergency!"

The academy replied through the hallway signs:

**YOU ARE ALSO IN DETENTION.**

They ran through the corridors.

Students moved out of their way.

A first-year student pointed toward the eastern tower.

"Something flew in there!"

"What did it look like?" Elena asked.

The student hesitated.

"Like a shadow."

Noah looked at Ethan.

"Was it a dangerous shadow?"

"Probably."

"Could it be a harmless shadow?"

"No."

"Then why did I ask?"

They reached the tower entrance.

A sign blocked the door:

**RESTRICTED AREA.**

Ethan pushed it aside.

The sign immediately changed:

**RULE VIOLATION RECORDED.**

Noah grabbed the sign.

"Can you record something else?"

**NO.**

"Can you forget this?"

**NO.**

"Can you at least pretend?"

**NO.**

Ethan opened the door.

The inside of the tower was dark.

A spiral staircase led upward.

At the top, something moved.

A faint violet glow pulsed through the cracks.

Rowan’s voice echoed from above.

"I found a room."

Noah sighed.

"Of course you did."

They climbed the stairs.

Ethan reached the top first.

The room was circular.

Old shelves lined the walls.

A dozen books floated in the air.

Rowan stood in the center, facing a large mirror.

The mirror reflected the room.

But it did not reflect the people inside.

Instead, it showed a classroom.

Class 1-B.

The students were seated at their desks.

Everyone was present.

Except Ethan.

In the mirror, the classroom blackboard displayed:

**EXTERNAL EVALUATION IN PROGRESS.**

Ethan stepped closer.

"What is this?"

Rowan looked at him.

"I heard someone calling me."

"Who?"

A voice answered from inside the mirror.

"Your teacher."

The reflection of Professor Voss appeared at the front of the classroom.

But the real Professor Voss was not there.

The reflected version turned toward the mirror.

"Class 1-B has completed the first evaluation."

Noah pointed at the glass.

"Why is there another Professor Voss?"

The reflected Professor Voss looked at him.

"Because the real one is busy."

"Doing what?"

"Preventing you from causing a disaster."

Noah nodded.

"That sounds accurate."

The reflected classroom changed.

The students disappeared.

Only three desks remained.

Ethan.

Rowan.

And a third desk marked:

**UNKNOWN STUDENT.**

The blackboard wrote:

**THE NEXT EVALUATION WILL TEST TRUST.**

Ethan raised his sword.

The mirror cracked.

The reflected Professor Voss smiled.

"No weapons."

The black sword vanished from Ethan’s hand.

Noah reached for his knife.

His belt was empty.

He looked horrified.

"They took my knife again."

The mirror displayed:

**NO WEAPONS. NO MAGIC. NO LEAVING.**

Elena stepped toward the glass.

"What do you want?"

The reflected Professor Voss answered:

"A class exercise."

Adrian frowned.

"What kind?"

The mirror darkened.

A door appeared inside the reflection.

Behind it stood three figures.

Ethan.

Rowan.

And Noah.

But their faces were hidden.

The reflected teacher spoke:

"One of them is not who they claim to be."

Noah looked around.

"Is this still an academy test?"

Ethan stared at the mirror.

The violet mark on Rowan’s chest began to glow.

A voice whispered from the glass:

"Choose who you trust."

The mirror door opened.

And the three reflected figures stepped into the classroom.