I heard a soft knock at the door. Had the Academy found out I'd cheated to pass the exam? It seemed rather unlikely, but I couldn't be entirely sure. Until now, no one had ever knocked on my door. Why would anyone bother to visit me?
Worried, I got up from the bed, uncertain what to think. I cautiously opened the door, and to my great relief, there stood Elesya with a timid smile on her face.
"Hi," she said. "Can we talk for a bit, please?" she asked shyly.
"Sure, Elesya. Come in," I said, trying to sound friendly.
She sat on the only chair in the room while I leaned against the headboard of the bed.
"I saw how well you did on today's exam," she began. "You managed to perform the spells much faster and more efficiently than any magic professor. I was especially amazed by the levitation spell. It's clear that you have far more advanced knowledge than you let on at first. Maybe… if you could help me with a certain spell that's above my level..."
I cut her off with a dry cough.
"So, Elesya, you came here just for a spell?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Doesn't that count as cheating?"
"No," she said, startled and offended. "It's not a spell for exams, it has nothing to do with school. I'll only practice it in my spare time."
"Ah, I see," I said with a hint of sarcasm. "Elesya, although it's been a while, I still remember that just one day ago I asked you for help when I was failing at spells. Luckily, I ended up helping myself—otherwise, I'd probably be shipped off to slavery by now, my memory wiped clean. Obviously, this conversation wouldn't be happening."
"I told you I couldn't help," she said, sounding offended. "I was being honest. There was nothing I could do for you."
"You didn't even try, Elesya, even though you knew what was coming for me. Being sent to slavery, with your memory erased on top of it, isn't exactly a pleasant fate. Even a small attempt to help would've meant a lot. It's called empathy, in case you weren't aware."
A moment of silence passed between us.
"I'm sorry," Elesya whispered, eyes on the floor. "I should go."
She stood up and headed toward the door. I wondered if Elesya was the kind of girl who only paid attention to you when she had something to gain—and turned her back on you the moment you were no longer useful. Still, I decided not to jump to shallow or hasty conclusions.
"Sit down, Elesya. We're not done yet. I just wanted to point out a few things so you'll know how to act in the future. Be careful—fortune's wheel turns fast, and those at the bottom often end up at the top… and vice versa."
I softened my tone and continued.
"Actually, you're not a bad person. I appreciate that you didn't laugh with the others when I was failing miserably at my magic attempts. That alone means something. Now, tell me: what spell do you want help with?"
A flicker of hope lit up in Elesya's eyes.
"Flying…" she said dreamily. "Ever since I was little, I've wanted to learn flight magic. I used to go and watch the level 12 students training, and I was so jealous. I'd ask my parents when I'd be able to do the same. They always answered, 'when you're older,' but they never said exactly what age. Later, I found out that flight magic is extremely difficult and only one in ten mages ever masters it. It'll take me many years to learn it—and only if I'm talented. But after I saw you levitate that sword, I thought maybe you know more… and maybe you could help me..."
I stopped her with a gesture and replied:
"Is that all, Elesya? That's a trifle for someone of my level. I can teach you to fly in just a few minutes. (Ah, ever since I read Vabazon's book, I've gone from non-mage to master!) But nothing comes for free. You'll have to give something in return."
"What exactly?" she asked, startled.
"I don't know… your soul, for example. We could make a pact—your soul in exchange for—no, I'm joking, Elesya, don't go pale. Keep your soul intact. What I want is a Connection Spell between you and me, so I can have permanent access to your magical knowledge."
"Why would you need that?" she asked, surprised. "You obviously know more magic than I and all my classmates put together."
"Don't question my judgment, Elesya. You don't need an explanation. Maybe that's exactly what I want—to compare what I know with the knowledge of someone at your level. Either you agree or you don't, but I want your answer now."
She thought for a few moments, eyes fixed on the floor, then lifted her head.
"All right, I accept."
"Do you know the spell?"
"Yes, I do, but I've never used it before."
"From what I can tell, Elesya, you're not the type to fail."
Elesya stood and came beside me. She placed her small hands on my shoulders and gently pushed me to sit down.
"Sit on the bed," she said, "and look me in the eyes. Don't look away until I tell you."
I gazed into her dark eyes, but it was impossible to see anything beyond my own reflection, like in a shadowed mirror. Elesya began whispering words I couldn't understand. She was so close I could feel her breath. Suddenly, a strange sensation came over me, like an energy flowing from her into me. Her words grew clearer and stronger, and a wave of warmth enveloped me. I felt a bond forming between us—an invisible thread linking our minds. The spell ended, and Elesya pulled back gently, breathing deeply.
"Now," she said, "when you want to know something, just think of me and form your question in your mind. If I know the answer, I'll send it to you through my thoughts."
I tried the spell immediately, eager to discover what magical knowledge Elesya held. Within moments, the answer came—not in words, but as ideas and vivid images. Beyond the standard magic taught in school, I discovered an impressive collection of rare and complex spells in Elesya's mind, ones she'd learned from little-known sources. She had strong command over air and fire manipulation, even in combat. She knew how to influence others' emotions and perceptions in social settings. If she used them, Elesya could easily make friends wherever she went. She also had dozens of cosmetic spells that would make any academy girl jealous. It was clear that Elesya was extremely ambitious and wanted to impress her teachers with her knowledge.
"All right, Elesya. I'll now craft you a magical talisman. As long as you wear it, you'll be able to fly. All you'll have to do is silently invoke the name of the spell."
I pulled a small rectangular keychain from my pocket, made of two plastic layers with a photo of the city of Boston between them. I carefully removed the paper with the image, and using the tip of a pencil, I drew Vabazon's symbols on the back of the picture and carefully inscribed the flight spell. Then I placed the paper back between the plastic layers.
"The talisman is ready, Elesya. It's best to keep it on you at all times. When you think the word "ascension," the spell will activate, and you'll be able to fly as you wish—within the limits of your magical energy. I recommend you don't attempt long-distance or high-altitude flights right away."
Elesya eagerly took the keychain-turned-talisman and examined it carefully. Her gaze lingered on the image of skyscrapers lining the shore of a bay in Boston, with the sunset glowing behind them.
"What city is this, Sam? It doesn't look like anything I know. Is this where you were born?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "That's Boston, my hometown."
"It looks beautiful. Could I visit it someday?"
"I'm not sure that will ever be possible. You see, the city is in the Opposite World, and I have no idea how I could get back there. If I knew, I'd return this very moment. Do you know any spell that might help? I've searched, but found nothing."
Elesya gently shook her head, crushing whatever fleeting hope I had of getting home soon. Then she carefully attached the keychain to the golden chain around her neck.
"Can I try the flight spell right now?" she asked, her voice brimming with excitement.
"I don't see what's stopping you," I replied with a hint of grumpiness. "Go ahead, try the spell—but be careful."
Elesya clutched the talisman in her hands and closed her eyes for a few seconds, focusing. Then, with a light leap, she lifted off the ground. She touched the ceiling gently, laughing, and did a backward somersault. Gliding along the ceiling, she circled the room, brushing each wall with her hand. She spun a few times like a swimmer, and finally landed in front of me. She probably realized that my small room wasn't the best place to practice flight magic.
"It's absolutely incredible," she said, excited. "Thank you."
She understood that I'd helped her without hesitation, and showed sincere gratitude.
"Don't you want to fly with me?" Elesya asked.
"Not now," I answered, my tone lacking enthusiasm.
Elesya immediately sensed my sadness and stepped closer.
"Sam, what's bothering you?" she asked, placing her hands on my shoulders. "You passed the exam successfully, but I feel like something's still weighing on you. Will you tell me? Maybe I can help."
It was kind of her to ask about my troubles, though I doubted she could really help. Still, I confessed the worry gnawing at me:
"It's the tuition fee!" I exclaimed in despair. "I passed the exam, but that's only half the battle. By the end of the second semester, I have to come up with 6,000 sesterces. Otherwise, slavery awaits me."