Once the heavy oak door thudded shut, the evaluator crossed the arena floor toward the far wall where the one-way glass terminated.
He pushed the clipboard through a narrow brass slot in the masonry.
The folio landed with a dull thud.
Behind the stone, an old serpent was waiting. Vigo snatched the board, his fingers flipping the leaves with predatory haste.
A junior proctor hovered behind him like a nervous hound.
"Fetch the Academy Seal."
The junior evaluator froze. "Sir? Does that signify an acceptance?"
"It does. Hand me the die."
"Head Instructor, the general lottery has not commenced! Direct acceptance without council review breaches the ninth charter!"
"Who do you think penned that charter?" Vigo hissed, his monocle catching the cold lamplight. "I established the protocol. He holds a sixty-five. He cleared the bar. I command the entrance evaluations within the Viera jurisdiction. My authority here is absolute, and no clerk in this room will challenge it."
Forty years, Vigo thought, his knuckles whitening against the oak board. Forty years I surrendered to this floating tomb, only to have the High Council strangle my research and elevate children over my head simply because their bloodlines carried divine favor.
They cordoned Cedric off as untouchable. But while they squabble over the elder prodigy, I hold first claim over the largest mortal pool on this continent.
The resonance on that boy—it mirrored Cedric's mana down to the grain. My senses do not fail me.
If I can forge him into the second apex, Cedric will no longer matter.
The Headmaster's seat will be vacant soon enough. The High Council will have to yield.
I can feel the gears turning. My life's work is finally within reach.
Arthur. You will become the greatest vessel this world has ever seen.
You will be the key that unlocks my apotheosis. And in return, boy, I will grant you a power greater than any other!