Dragon’s Secret

Copyright © 2023 by Isla Elrick All Rights Reserved LIFE-IN-DEATH Press, February 2023 v. 230113 islaelrick.com This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual people, places, institutions, families, etc. is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, in any form, by any means electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system currently in use or yet to be devised. This ebook is licensed for your personal use and may not be re-sold or given away to others. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase a copy for that person. If you did not purchase this book, or it was not purchased for your use, then you have an unauthorized copy. Please go to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting my hard work and copyright. Print ISBN: 978-1951328696 Created with Vellum Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Want More? About the Author Chapter 1 "Students of the High College of Magi, it is my honor to present your newest senior mage." My entire body trembled with excitement as I ascended the dais in the center of the lyceum, surrounded on all sides by applause. Moonlight streamed from the oculus in the ceiling above me, bathing me in cool, pulsating magic. This was the day that every junior mage dreamt of when they entered the College, and I couldn’t be more thrilled it had arrived for me. I had earned this. I was ready to be ushered into my new life. Headmistress Aur had instructed me beforehand to take my shoes off, so that I could "feel the power of the earth" as the ceremony began. I was surprised to find that she hadn't been talking nonsense—with my bare feet pressed to the cold stone of the dais, I felt connected to the College in a way I had never before experienced. Standing in the middle of the grand chamber alongside the headmistress and her enchanters, with the eyes of every junior and senior mage upon me, I felt as though I had transcended to some higher plane of being. Bliss. Truthfully, it may just have been the excitement going to my head. I had worked hard for the honor about to be bestowed upon me: countless hours of study and perseverance had brought me here before my peers, ascending from junior to senior mage quicker than anyone of my age ever had. "This is a triumph to which all our junior magi should aspire," Headmistress Aur said, stepping up beside me. Her silvery voice filled the large room effortlessly, and with her shining white-gold hair, platinum staff, and matching dress, she looked like a pillar of light under the moon. "The young woman who stands by my side today has excelled in her junior exams, as well as exhibited a profound understanding of her medium." I beamed. My medium, the one I had chosen years ago to pursue, was Arcane Theory—that was, studying the manipulation of the Weave of reality. I had taken exams for many other magics, but a mage's medium was always her primary focus. "Apart from her academic achievements," the headmistress went on, "she has also shown leadership qualities that defy her age and status." My Arcane Theory master and another enchanter quietly excused themselves from the semi-circle behind me and fetched a pair of objects from a junior waiting at the base of the dais. From where I stood, I couldn't make out what they were; my view was obscured by the blue light engulfing me, the rest of the chamber cast in dark gray shadow. Headmistress Aur took one of the items from the enchanters and turned to me. With a fluid movement, she lifted my hand and slipped a signet ring onto my finger. "Magdelne, I am honored to present you with a seal of the magi, a token that is gifted to all ascendant juniors." She gestured behind her for the second object. "I present you also with a personal gift from me. A new staff. It will mark your status, and you will find that it channels magic more effectively." I could not stop grinning as I took the staff she offered. It was a lovely, copper-plated thing, not at all like the staff of wood and riveted iron I'd been carrying around for years. At about the middle of it, it curved to form a textured spine and neck that ended in a detailed dragon's head. It felt good in my hand, a pillar of pure potential energy just waiting to be released through me. Perhaps. …And therein lay the problem. My medium was Arcane Theory, after all. As embarrassing as it was to admit, my experience with practical magic was lacking. I had cast very few real spells. Junior magi technically weren't even allowed to cast spells outside of exams. Small demonstrations and cantrips were one thing, but truly harnessing the Weave could be dangerous—for the mage and those around them. The prospect of casting something with this staff was daunting indeed. Still, it was a beautiful gift, and would certainly help going forward: unlike juniors, senior magi were expected to demonstrate proficiency with their chosen magic often. Even theorists. "Thank you, Headmistress," I said as she turned to the podium at her right. On it was a gilt book, bound with ancient leather and decorated with metal rings and gems. I watched as she opened to one of the ornately illuminated pages and changed my status from junior to senior. My heart soared. It was official. I looked away instinctively, trying not to