The bugs jumbled together, bumping into one another as they moved into a new set ofletters.
Pre-Evaluation for Apprentice Angelique to be given at the testing grounds on the next fullmoon.
“Pre-evaluation?” Angeliqueblinked.
“That seems on schedule,” Evariste confirmed. “You likely only have a year, perhaps two, of your apprenticeship left. Now is about time for you to undergo the practice evaluation, and for us to review what will happen.” To the bugs, he said, “Very well, we agree. Is there anything more to themessage?”
The fireflies scattered, smearing the message, and returned to flying in a jumbledmass.
“I’m going to say that is a no. Thank you for delivering the news.” Evariste pulled the door shut, nearly smacking Angelique—still in shock—in theface.
“But, but my apprenticeship can’t be nearly over!” she protested. “I still have so much tolearn!”
“I must agree,” Roland muttered under his breath. “For starters, you could learn how to begracious.”
Evariste chuckled. “Only you, my cute apprentice, would feel unprepared after so many years of preparation. The truth of the matter is you are quite ready. You have mastered most basic forms of magic and have been working on advanced techniques for months. You’ve already studied boon-granting and advanced spellwork. We need to cover curse modification and a few other topics, but with a few months of practice, you will beready.”
“Except there is one gaping hole of a subject that hasn’t been addressed,” Angelique blurtedout.
Evariste frowned slightly and tilted his head as if puzzled. “What subject isthat?”
“My warmagic!”
The words felt cold and ugly as they tore out of Angelique’s mouth, but as much as she wished she could take them back, she knew she couldn’t. Eventually, they would have to discuss her unwanted and dangerous coremagic.
“Ah, yes.” Evariste pressed his palms together, then tapped his chin with his outstretched fingers. “You are right. You will need to practice with your war magic. Specifically, you need to loosen your hold on it and let it move freely instead of walling it up, as you do so like todo.”
Angelique tossed her head like a wild horse and prepared to lay a solid refusal onhim.
“But!” Evariste interrupted her tirade before it could begin. “The majority of your test relies not upon the use of your war magic but on your ability to control and twist it into other magic—something you have, frankly,mastered.”
The enchanter turned away and started for thelibrary.
Angelique glanced down at Roland—hoping he might have words of wisdom to say, or at least back her up with the protest that she wasn’tready.
The cat was studiously licking his white chest. “What do you want?” he asked when she caught hiseye.
Angelique sighed and hurried after Evariste. “May I ask how many parts there are to thetest?”
“Just two,” Evariste said as he re-entered the library. “The power evaluation—which is why you are being summoned to practice—and the general knowledge exam. The general knowledge exam involves a panel of enchanters and enchantresses who ask for demonstrations of the various types of magic you’ve learned, with a few dozen magical theory and instruction questions thrown in. That’s the bulk of what most enchanters- and enchantresses-in-training study for, as it relies on their personal knowledge. The power evaluation requires very little preparation, however, as it is a means of measuring exactly how much magic youhave.”
Angelique frowned slightly. “Why is thatnecessary?”
“Officially, it gives you a visible representation of the amount of magic you possess, so you may understand your limits. Unofficially, it lets the Veneno Conclave classify your strength,” Evaristeexplained.
He sat down in a velvet cushioned chair and smiled at her. “The power evaluation can be tricky, but you need not fear prejudice there. The test is carried out by magic itself. No one can alter your results or falsify them. As for the general knowledge exam, it is little more than a formality. The bulk of your test depends upon my personalrecommendation.”
Angelique’s frown grew, and she clasped her hands together to keep fromfidgeting.
Evariste rolled his eyes. “Angel, you’re going to pass. I promise you. Once you become a Lady Enchantress, you will have to face your war magic—and those who have poisoned it for you—but I have a few ideas about that. And my master Enchanter Clovicus willhelp.”
He sounded confident, but Angelique was not entirelycertain.
They barely let Master Evariste take me on as his apprentice and have continued to send warnings throughout my apprenticeship. I don’t think it will be quite as easy as he seems to believe itis.
Still, the idea of doinganythingwith her war magic made Angelique’s stomach sour.If I can control it enough to use it for other purposes, isn’t thatenough?
She thought of the hopeful war mages she had met over the years and wanted to curse. Didn’t they understand? They were gifted with things like speed, invisibility, or deflection. But Angelique…I’m only good forkilling.
