Hays

ery asked the question, the a

oster of Aegis House cleared his throat loudly, puffing out his armored chest. Even after my public de

red th

of the top three Houses, until it settled upon the very end of the long tabl

a high-backed chair

g, raven-dark hair fell across his face, and his arms were loosely crossed over his chest. He was, by all appeara

tsteps echoed crisp and rhy

nounced in a tone of unwavering conviction: "I choose Abyssa

one thrown into a pond, this declara

ylvan table shrieked. "The House that has r

asn't taught a class in half a

. To him, my choice was the ultimate proof of my mortal igno

reconsider. Dean Beaumont has not accepted a private apprentice in

eadmaster," I in

ally penetrate the haz

d of sleepiness, sharp as a winter gale for a fraction of a second before dulling back into languid apat

leaned over, hissing disdainfully,

rrowing in mild annoyance. He opened

fuse

ion transformed into pure, vindictive satisfaction. The prodigy who dared

p closer, leaning in just enough so t

w you loathe complica

ow twitched upward.

require none of your time. I require none of your lectures. I will demand no resources, no funding, and no defense from your office. I will handle

a keen, analytical curiosity. A brilliant prodigy who demanded nothing

ing over, clearly preparing to i

d speak, Julian raised

Julian

iable weight that caused the Headmaster to halt

m, already slouching back into his cushions. "I

if accepting a disciple were no more sig

ile touching my lips. Step one was co