THE HIGHCouncil quietly looks at me with unreadable expressions.My hope is dwindling, but I had to take one last stand, which is why I arranged for this private meeting.It’s unheard of for the heads of the Union to privately meet with some eighteen-year-old punk, but this couldn’t be a parchment or an email.
I need them to look me in the eyes and hear my case.
“We have considered all that you’ve been through, Mr.Devries.You’re an excellent student, one of the best at hex breaking,” Councilman O’Toole says.
“But we have made a decision not to bend the rules for you,” Councilwoman Shah says.
My heart breaks even further, the tiny ember of hope dying out in an icy rush in my bones.All because of the three adults before me.
My eyes sting.“But…but what about?”
“We understand your situation, but we cannot allow you to enter the Other Side on what could be a futile mission,” Councilman Westbrook says.“The consequences are too dire.”
“Futile?”I ask, my voice probably breaking.“But I’ve…I’ve done the research.”
“And you’re smart.We know you’ll make a great agent of SPELL soon,” Councilwoman Shah says.
“But it is simply too dangerous,” Councilman O’Toole adds.
I sniff, trying to fight back the tears.“I thought you…thought you cared about the magical community?”
“Young man, you would risk the fate of our world on the off-chance you might save one person?”Councilman Westbrook asks.
I nod and wipe away my tears, not even bothering to answer.
“We are very much impressed with your work at sorcery protection school,” Councilwoman Shah says.“You’re a valued member of this Union, young man.”
“But we will not allow you to voluntarily enter the Other Side.End of discussion,” Councilman Westbrook says.
The despair clutches my heart.Shaking my head, I mutter, “Then I’m not welcome here.”
“What?”One of them asks.
“I am hereby resigning from the school and the Union.”
There are murmurs of controversy, but I can’t dwell on that.My whole world is shattering once again, and I don’t give a fuck what these old pricks think of me.
“Young man?”
“Goodbye.”I turn and walk away, but not before fishing out my small, in-training geo arcanum.It falls to the floor with a sound of finality, and I swiftly exit the High Council chamber.
I don’t need them.Or the Union.I’ll find my own way to explore the Other Side, even if it takes a lifetime.
(Now)
I slam my fist against the maroon wall despite knowing it’s a futile endeavor.No hex like this would just cave from sheer force.A few feet behind me is the sound of Luther summoning blasts of magic to try to break the round walls.
But no.We’re trapped in a maroon bubble.
With a sigh, I turn and lean my head against the cold wall, its texture reminiscent of plastic.Luther summons a magical whip, so I say, “Don’t bother, Westbrook.Save your magic.”
He stares at me incredulously.“And what, give up?!”He attempts to break the wall, but his whip bounces off and slaps him on the cheek.I try not to laugh as he makes the whip disappear.
He glares at me.“Okay, so that didn’t work, but we have to find a way out of here.”
“I’ve read about these kinds of hexes.They feed on the victim’s magic and create a one-way pocket bubble.”I point upward.“This is all courtesy of you.”
He frowns again.“I didn’t do this!”
