Page 61 of Architecti
I always take the first class of every new intake.Why?Because contracts are the basis for all demon magic.The more contracts we create, the more future possibilities we steal, the more magic we harness.
My class is already sat when I walk in.
We are in a borrowed classroom.There’s steep, tiered seating facing a mass of chalkboards along one wall.The sides of the hall are all shelved with relics and items from the dead.Meaningful trinkets, old bones and other things the shades needed to help them move on.
My gaze lands on Midnight first, she’s sat in the back row with Bastien and Lex, the two students in her apartment in House Inferos.
Midnight is wearing black leather trousers, her scythe harness strapped to her thigh and a vest top showing off her toned shoulders and arms, the cut of her biceps visible even though she’s nowhere near a gym.
I swallow and refocus on my notes.I need to get rid of this ridiculous obsession with her.I’m a middle-aged woman with a professional tenure at the greatest academy in the realm, and I do not need my attention misplaced on a student who is likely to get me fired.
“Students of Finis Academy.Welcome and congratulations on passing the Severance Rite.This year is going to be the hardest of your life.Graduates of Finis are well respected for one reason and one reason alone… can anyone tell me what that is?”
It’s the same opening speech I always give.Something to put the fear into them.Set their competitive natures alight.
I’m met with silence followed by uncomfortable coughing and the rustling fabric of bottoms shifting in seats.
A woman raises her hand near the front row.
“Yes?”
She gives the man sat next to her a hesitant glance and then says, “Because we’re qualified?”
Oh, dear demons below.I stare at the woman, astonished.Is she joking?If this is the standard we’re letting in, we don’t stand a chance against the Societas.
“While accurate, that is, on this occasion, incorrect,” I say.
The woman shrinks in her seat.
“The reason is this: Our pass mark is simple… survive the year.”
A peal of nervous laughter ripples through the room.But my face remains expressionless.
A man in the front row raises his hand.“Could you elaborate, Professor?”
“Certainly.You will, of course, receive points throughout the year, and there will be an overall top student.But in order to receive your qualifications, you merely need to survive.That, in itself, will be a challenge.”
The man glances at the student to his right, his Adam’s apple bobbing visibly.I don’t class myself a sadist at all.I’m far more masochistic, enjoying the release that pain gives me.However, there are a few moments when my morals slip, and I rather enjoy tormenting the new students.This is one of them.
“The good news for you is that there are many ways to gain points.The bad news is that there are many more ways to die.”
“Like what?”A brunette man sat a few rows back asks.His friends all jeer and clap.I guarantee they’re wannabe Veilwalkers; the ego is dripping off them.
“I’m glad you asked.”I inhale and then proceed to rattle off a lengthy list at top speed.“Wraith attacks, ashspawn attacks, sigil and or rune backlash, death by haunting, suicide, in-class duelling, incorrect Veilwalking, fabric fuck-ups, death by fear, accidentally cutting your soul, losing your soul, breaching the Veil while inadequately prepared, pissing the Tower off, and I suppose getting hit by falling bricks, given our current tremors.Those are off the top of my head, shall I continue?”
The entire hall is silent.
“I didn’t think so.Now, today is the introduction to contracts.Can anyone tell me why we start here?”
“Theft is the basis for all demonic magic,” Midnight shouts from the back.
A couple of the students hiss out an “Ooouch” and a couple of others shout “Burn.”
“Would you mind putting your hand up in class.What’s your name?”
Even from the front of the lecture hall I can see the smirk she gives me.
“I think you managed to pronounce my name just fine last night, don’t you?”
