Lyra glanced at the Academy's floating clock, visible through her dorm room window. It was striking eleven.

  Since class ended, she'd been practicing the Humming of the Constellation Runes, their assigned homework. With the Dummy Sphere cradled in her hand, she knew she was far from prepared for the next class, despite her natural talent.

  Magic, she mused, was akin to language.

  She needed to become fluent in the Constellation Runes, treating them as her mother tongue. She'd hoped her Spirit Magic would offer an advantage, but the alphabetic runes of the two systems were too dissimilar. Worse, her instincts occasionally mixed in Spirit Magic runes.

  The only aid her Spirit Magic provided was a constant reminder: precision was paramount. A misplaced Hum or a misspelled Rune could derail an entire spell, alter its melody, and produce an entirely different outcome.

  So, she continued her practice, even as she lay in bed, her eyelids growing heavy.

  —

  On the other side of the academy…

  “Please! Come with me to the Headmaster. You can’t let that old codger bully you for another year…”

  Professor Lockmere pleaded with Professor Soren. A year prior, he’d introduced his best friend, Tobias Soren, for a teaching position in the Spellcrafting Department. Knowing Soren’s skill, Lockmere assumed Dean Harrow would assign him an advanced class and involve him in departmental research.

  To Lockmere’s dismay, Harrow assigned Soren to Spellcrafting 101, the mandatory first-year class dreaded by students and faculty alike. Most students skipped the lectures, already familiar with the material, opting to study for other courses. Only students whose native magic systems differed from the Gift of Constellations attended, struggling to grasp the basics.

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  Only the least talented would teach Spellcrafting 101.

  Most professors avoided teaching it, fearing it would tarnish their reputation.

  Upon hearing the assignment, Lockmere was ready to pull Soren from the department and place him in Magic Artifacts instead.

  However, Tobias Soren was enthusiastic about teaching Spellcrafting 101.

  Was he oblivious to Academy politics?

  Since Soren didn’t object, Lockmere couldn’t appeal to Headmaster Roy. He worried his friend would spend the year isolated and targeted.

  Then, to his surprise…

  Spellcrafting 101 became the most popular class that year.

  Instead of skipping lectures, first-year students packed the hall every week. By year’s end, even senior students attended.

  Not a single student failed the final exam. Previously, students unfamiliar with the Gift of Constellations often failed. Last year’s average score was a full grade higher. Every student passed with flying colors.

  Lockmere knew Soren was skilled, but he hadn’t expected him to be such a gifted teacher of the basics.

  Suck it up, Harrow.

  Lockmere was ready to celebrate. But upon returning from a conference, he learned of Harrow’s latest scheme: weeks before the semester, Harrow had restricted the Spellcrafting 101 curriculum, removing fundamental Spellcrafting from the daytime coursework.

  And raising the final exam’s bar.

  Lockmere’s blood boiled. This was not only an attack on his friend but also discrimination against minority students.

  He rushed to find Soren, catching him after his night class—the only time he could now teach the basics.

  “It’s fine! I see it as an exciting challenge,” Soren laughed, his eyes gleaming. This was the same response he’d given the previous year.

  “But how? I heard you’re planning to teach Elemental Conjuration in a few days. These students won’t be ready.”

  “Time, huh? I’ve already taken care of that…” Soren glanced at the floating clock, now nearing midnight. His plan was about to unfold.

  “…with the powers of Dreams and Roguelike!” He winked at his bewildered friend.