Expecting to find one interviewer in the room, a slightly disheveled Madeline turned around to find five. She quickly identified them as representatives from each affinity, not a hard solve given they’d each had the symbol of their affinity on the long table in front of them.

  The man in the center of the table represented the Energy affinity. A copper talisman rested directly in front of him. The talisman was an exact replica of the stylized glove that was the symbol of the Energy Warriors.

  He smiled revealing teeth that were both too straight and too white. “My name is Kenneth. Please, have a seat. Yes, dear, there is only one seat available.”

  Madeline’s cheeks reddened but Kenneth only smirked. Madeline’s eyes flickered around the room instead of directly to the high-backed chair propped in the center. She sat and stared with intensity into Kenneth’s eyes. She would not back down. This may be a joke to Kenneth, but not to her.

  The chamber itself turned up the heat from the hallway by way of a crackling hearth behind the representatives. Madeline was hot enough to be uncomfortable but not hot enough to show any weakness. Anything could be a test. Everything could be used against her. She crossed one leg over the other in a single controlled motion and waited for Kenneth to speak. Despite the crackling fire at his back, the middle-aged man appeared to be in no hurry.

  “So, why don’t you give us the basics? Name, age, where you’re from, that sort of thing,” Kenneth asked with another large smile.

  Madeline lamented the bureaucracy of it all. What was the point of having Ruthann ask and record her response if these people would simply ask the same question?

  Through gritted teeth, Madeline replied with the exact same information she’d given two minutes earlier.

  “Excellent, excellent. How do you enjoy life in Grinnrock?”

  A shorter, plump woman at the far end of the table coughed gently. “Perhaps another time, Professor Hutton?” There was no malice in her voice and it was clear her interruption was simply intended to keep them focused. “Can’t be wasting time on idle pleasantries. My name is Professor Maybel Taran of the Life affinity.”

  Madeline didn’t need Taran to clarify the obvious. The woman’s motherly nature screamed Life Witch.

  “To my left is Professor David Reese of the Storm affinity, Professor Hutton has introduced himself, then to his left is Professor Bettina Lawrence of the Death affinity and finally we have Professor Eugene Anguissa of the Sensory affinity.”

  Madeline nodded along, taking note of the talismans in front of each of them. A gnarled, wooden vine, a silver double axe, an ivory skull and a shimmering stone butterfly joined Professor Hutton’s fiery glove on the table.

  “Tell us, child, what is your purpose here?” Professor Taran asked.

  Madeline was ready. This was what she rehearsed. She shifted her leg, asserting a measure of calm before answering.

  “I am here for honour. As you know, Grinnrock is a place of poverty and strife. That does not mean we are without pride. If accepted, I will show what I can do to you and to the rest of the world in the fight against the Rot.”

  Madeline surveyed the faces of the panel. Taran looked calm and Hutton was still smiling, but the other three…

  The woman on Kenneth’s left, Madeline’s right spoke up. Professor Lawrence. “It’s said that Grinnrockers often have a talent for Death magic. In fact, I can’t remember a single one who's passed through these walls who has chosen another affinity. Would you say you’re the same?”

  Madeline’s temper flared underneath the surface, threatening to bubble over.

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  Even sitting, Professor Lawrence had a presence. Taller than most women with sharp features and high cheekbones, nothing about her allowed forgiveness.

  “I’d say given the proper training it would be my honour to represent any affinity. I have great respect for all,” Madeline replied placidly. Her disdain for both the question and the woman asking it threatened to derail her entire interview. She bit her tongue until she drew blood.

  Yet, her answer wasn’t good enough for Professor Lawrence. “I asked you about Death magic, girl.”

  Madeline glared at Professor Lawrence. This .

  “I would agree with your assessment, Professor. Death magic does come easier to me than the other disciplines, I'm told.”

  That seemed to satisfy the woman. She nodded and rested back in her high backed chair.

  The next to speak was the dark-featured Professor Anguissa. “Does that mean you only have interest in the Death affinity?” His voice rumbled.

  “No, sir. Should I get an offer from one of your affinities, I would neither be disappointed nor turn it down.”

  Professor Hutton cut in. “Assuming all five gave you an offer. Which would you choose?”

  “In order,” Professor Lawrence demanded.

  Madeline’s gaze snapped harshly toward Professor Lawrence. “Please, I haven’t thought about it in that way. I’m only focused on earning an offer.”

  “I don’t believe you,” Professor Anguissa said in that dark melodic tone. The sides of his receding hairline were beginning to grey. “Everyone has an opinion. Including the five of us.”

  Professor Hutton’s smile got wider.

  “Go ahead, child.” Professor Taran encouraged, putting Madeline in a corner. She’d have to answer now.

  She took a short breath before speaking. “Yes, Ma’am. If given my choice, I’d choose Death first, then Energy, Storm, Life, and Sensory.”

  Professor Anguissa’s face turned into a deeper and deeper frown. He remained in his seat, however.

  Professor Reese got into it. By his appearance, Madeline believed the reddish haired Reese was the youngest of the lot. His cheeks were absent of frown lines, yet his amber eyes were alert. A handsome man. “Why Storm third? Why not first?”

  This was going horribly. There was no way for Madeline to respond without pissing someone off and her frustration mounted. She adjusted her position in the chair again.

  “I believe Storm magic fits my personality, sir. Professor Lawrence was correct when she noted the Grinnrock connection to Death magic and denying that would be denying who I am,” Madeline replied. Not a direct answer, but close enough.

  The next question came from Professor Anguissa. Madeline shifted her position a fraction to face him. “Not everyone has the spark, yet we test anyone who wishes to apply to the Academy. This is the law. We also only accept a limited number of students each year. These are simple facts of life. What will you do if you do not have the spark or receive no offers?”

  It was a good question. This question, more than any other, was the one that Madeline struggled the most with as there could be no way to control for not having the spark. During her preparations, she’d brainstormed different answers. She’d fabricated a story about how she’d use her other skills to go back to Grinnrock and be a productive member of society there, elevating herself and her family through hard work.

  But now, in the hot room surrounded by these people, it felt wrong. “I have no plan for that, sir.”

  Frown lines etched themselves into the aging Professor’s face. “That feels like poor planning, does it not?”

  “No, sir,” Madeline said, voice defiant.

  “Why is that?” Anguissa challenged.

  “I’ve put my entire effort into being the best I can be for today, sir. There was no time to waste.”

  That answer seemed to impress Professor Hutton who chuckled and turned to face Anguissa. “The young lady has got you there, old friend.” Then he turned back to Madeline. “Well done.”

  Madeline allowed herself a moment's satisfaction but didn’t allow herself a smile. “Thank you, sir.”

  A lull presented itself in the conversation which suited Madeline fine. The flames in the hearth had begun crackling loudly and with a wave Professor Hutton dulled them to a whisper. Madeline forced herself to remain still and emotionless. She would not be some wide-eyed simpering twit who marveled at the slightest use of magic.

  “Do you play cards, Madeline?” Professor Hutton broke the silence. Madeline was beginning to get the sense that Professor Hutton disliked quiet.

  “No, sir.”

  “Ah, just as well. By your face I’d hate to come up against you at the Two-Card table.”

  Unsure how to respond, Madeline did the sensible thing. “Thank you, sir.”

  Professor Reese thrummed his hands against the table, causing the double axe talisman that represented the Storm affinity to move a fraction of an inch. “What will you do if you have the spark within you but it’s weak? Not everyone can be strong. There are those built for support roles. Can you put your ego aside in service of our greater purpose?”

  A fair question. A tough question. On a fundamental level, Madeline couldn’t come up with a reason she should do something if she couldn’t be the best. Yet, only one could be most powerful. She responded. “To me, strength of magic doesn’t equal strength of character. I will find a way to contribute, regardless of my power level.”

  Reese tilted his head as though he’d heard something very stupid. He did not elaborate. Madeline didn’t follow up.

  Professor Taran asked the next question and continued the interrogation.