Radiance - The Alight Archives Book #1

27. That Which Makes a True Sorcerer

She...she had failed.

Elaine didn't want to accept it, but feeding herself self-constructed lies would only harm her pride as a sorcerer. She took a moment to absorb the atmosphere of the crowded room, counting each individual carefully, reassuring herself that she hadn't been mistaken. 

At the front of the group stood Adeline, exuding an air of calm confidence and radiating beauty as she always did, her long hair cascading over her shoulders like an auburn waterfall. Elaine couldn't help but think that Professor Marsh's test would likely be a breeze for someone as renowned and powerful as Adeline; her mastery of sorcery was especially impressive for someone only a year older than herself.

Elaine's gaze then drifted to Simon, who was positioned a few rows back. He appeared somewhat worse for wear, with his typically neat hair tousled, and his glasses were conspicuously absent, forcing him to squint his eyes unnaturally. 

Had he lost them fighting a deathstalker? Elaine wondered. 

It must have been tedious for him to navigate his way out of the Sunken Labyrinth with his poor eyesight, squinting against the darkness that shrouded the maze. Jack stood beside him, his academy uniform covered in a chaotic patchwork of brownish sludge. Yes, the uniforms were indeed enchanted to "fix" themselves, automatically mending tears and holes; however, they couldn't work miracles; the stubborn stains would remain until he took the matter into his own hands. A proper scrub and a trip through the magical wash should do the trick.

At the back of the classroom sat Mason, the silent giant with an imposing presence. His massive figure dwarfed the desk, yet he maintained a composure that exuded strength. Despite having never revealed the type of magic he specialized in, Elaine suspected he was a formidable sorcerer in his own right. 

Her intuition stemmed from his unwavering demeanor—while the others around them were panting, drenched in sweat, and drained of magical energy, Mason remained stoic, calm. He sat with his hands clasped before him, staring intently at Elaine with an expression that felt as solid and unyielding as stone.

Next to him slouched Kliff Dresden, a figure who seemed perpetually caught between disinterest and annoyance. Elaine's heart stabbed her when she grabbed his gaze, her breath hitching fleetingly. His chin rested against a palm, and although he didn't appear fatigued, the deep furrow in his brow suggested that he was wrestling with something troubling. He released a frustrated exhale through his nose, abruptly turning his head away from her, his glower drilling into a distant corner of the room as if he could will his troubles away.

"Elaine," Fearne called out, breaking her concentration. Leaning against Custas for support, one of her arms draped around his neck, Fearne's concern was evident in her voice. "Are you all right?"

Elaine nodded, though uncertainty gnawed at her. "Yes, I'm fine."

Glancing around the classroom, it appeared that her companions were indeed unscathed. The glimmer of light she'd briefly noticed during her battle with the deathstalker must have been their exit from the labyrinth; the thought that they weren't near her when her barrier detonated—an uncontrolled burst of magic she had not anticipated—brought her some peace of mind. Although per Professor Marsh's regulations regarding the pocket prison, they wouldn't have been harmed, she still dreaded the thought of inadvertently endangering them.

Speaking of Professor Marsh, he stood before her, his long coat slightly rumpled, hands tucked casually into his pockets, and an indifferent expression carved into his sharp features. It was always a challenge to read his thoughts through that apathetic mask, yet one thing was certain: his demeanor radiated a perpetual disappointment with the whirlwind of youthful ambition and naivety. Needless to say, he wore that expression a lot. "So, even after making such a bold declaration, you were still unable to complete Integrity's Rift. Interesting," he remarked flatly. The words hung in the air, a quiet challenge cloaked in sarcasm.