Gwyn's fear had been realized. She knew this was all a show, with no real challenge.
"Huh? Are you saying it was easier?"
"Everyone else had regular kindling."
Gwyn was spiraling. Deep down, she knew she'd been given a handicap. The wind had left her sails, and her ship was immediately sinking.
Why do I even bother? I'll never do anything on my own; everyone is just going to do it for me.
She swallowed hard, trying not to get too emotional.
"Don't make that face, Gwynevere." Through a smiling tone, the teacher said. "You, the only student of them all… had iron paper."
Frustratingly enough, Mrs. Farcroft kept pausing for dramatic effect.
That doesn't sound normal.
"Iron paper? What's that?"
Some of the doubt faded, replaced by confusion.
"Iron paper is used for certain texts we wish to preserve for long periods of time." She paused again; the tension was killing Gwyn. "It is nearly one thousand times harder to ignite than regular paper."
Gwyn blinked. Then blinked again. Was she supposed to feel betrayed or impressed with herself?
"What does that mean exactly?"
"It means you are far more talented than anyone here realizes."
"What? You mean?"
"You don't lack magical ability." She sighed. "I wish I could take credit for the idea, but I did not."
"Whose idea was it then?"
"Archimedes," she said plainly. "He figured one of two outcomes: if you didn't light the iron paper, you weren't taking your role seriously and that you shouldn't continue your education, or if you did light it—"
"That I would be a lot further ahead than most people realize."
Mrs. Farcroft nodded.
"Let them underestimate you. You are more capable than you know, Chosen One."
Mrs. Farcroft smiled, clearly expressing her belief in the young woman. Tears began to well up in Gwyn. She embraced her teacher.
"Thanks for believing in me."
"Someone has to believe in you." Mrs. Farcroft pulled away. "I know you can do great things, Gwyn. Now, kick some King of Terror ass for us."
Gwyn nodded; pride filled her to the brim. She couldn't wait to tell Elise what happened.
"Alright, class." Mrs. Farcroft clapped her hands to get her children's attention. "Who wants to color, then take a nap?"
A chorus of ecstatic "me's" rose from the crowd of students.
Gwyn turned to follow the children, but Mrs. Farcroft stopped her.
"Oh, and Gwyn? You don't have to attend the rest of the class. Take the rest of the weekend off. I'll send the Dean news of your success. They should eventually notify you of their next plan. Until then? Enjoy your time off. You deserve it."
Gwyn's lip quivered, the tears trying to come back.
"Thank you!" They hugged one last time. "Will I get to see you again?"
"My door is open for you, any time."
"Thanks, Mrs. Farcroft!"
Elise shouted, standing beside the Chosen One.
Gwyn jumped, startled by the elves' sudden appearance.
"Sorry!" Didn't mean to spook you."
"It's fine, it's fine."
"You know I had Mrs. Farcroft when I was a child," Elise said, reminiscing.
"Really? Is she any different from before?" Gwyn asked, now heading back to the Academy.
"Well, not really. I failed the class over and over again. My father took me out of school and eventually hired a private tutor to help with my advancement. It took me so long just to be able to cast lesser magic."
"It's hard to see you as anything but an amazing caster if I'm being honest."
This comment caused Elise to erupt in a snorting laughter. When she realized what she'd done, Elise frowned.
"Dammit, Gwynevere. Stop making me do that."
She pinched Gwyn on her arm.
"Ow! Hey." Gwyn smiled. "Sorry, you think I'm funny, I don't see how that's my problem."
Elise glared.
"Whatever…" Her smile betrayed her. "You should be proud. You did in five days what took me over a hundred years."
By now, the two women were alone on the testing grounds in Kaldere Academy.
"Can you explain something to me?"
Gwyn's hand touched Elise's. Both women's heart rates skyrocketed.
"I'll give it my best."
"What's iron paper?"
"Oh? It's paper infused with iron and magic. It can be very difficult to burn. It can't be entirely made of iron, or you couldn't easily write on it. A lot of important texts are written with iron paper." Elise rambled. She was suddenly confused. "Why do you ask?"
"How easily does it light?"
"Hmmm. Not very easily. It takes a very long time to burn in fire, sometimes hours to char it slightly."
"Apparently, if Mrs. Farcroft is telling the truth, what she gave me was iron paper."
"What?!"
Elise stopped in her tracks, shouting so loud that birds left their nests and went to the safety of the skies.
"Gwynevere!" She grabbed both of her shoulders. "That is incredibly difficult to burn with lesser magic. I guarantee most elves who attend Kaldere Academy wouldn't be able to do that!"
"How did I do it then? I barely burned you when we…"
The thought of last night was now present in both their minds. Elise's body pressed against Gwyn's, her warm skin—Gwyn shook her head. Trying to focus on right now.
Gwyn felt more suspicious than proud of her ability.
"I just started practicing magic."
"That is interesting, but a Susurrus or a Whisperer would have had to help you." Elise scoffed. "And I didn't help you, if that's what you are insinuating."
"No, I wouldn't think you did."
Gwyn looked over her shoulder and saw a towering figure in black armor standing by a tree, their white eyes sending shivers of despair through her body. She blinked and shook her head.
"Hey, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, just…"
What if I tell them I am seeing the King of Terror? What would they do to me?
Gwyn's mouth was dry. The elves despised the King of Terror; what would they do if they knew she saw his visage suddenly?
Artero approached, dusting his hands.
"Alright, that's taken care of."
Elise wore a fake smile, sounding annoyed as she looked.
"What's taken care of?"
"Oh, Griffith." He let out a little laugh. "I have never seen him that mad before. What did you do to him, Gwynevere?"
"Not you too!" Gwyn pleaded. "I swear, I haven't done anything to him." She then thought of how she had been teasing him recently. "Well, nothing he hadn't started first."
"Uh, huh." Artero looked skeptical. "Anyway. I'm glad I found you two here."
"Why's that?"
Gwyn wasn't sure if she liked where this was going.
He held out a piece of parchment.
"Because I have a surprise for you, Gwyn."
Gwyn reached for it, but he quickly pulled it away.
"Hey! I want to read that."
"Not here." Artero pocketed the paper. "Is there somewhere we want to go so we can all be in… private?"
The insinuation in his voice made Gwyn almost excited, but she wasn't sure why.
Elise looked at him as though he were a different person.
"Why are you being so secretive, Artero? This isn't like you."
Artero shrugged.
"Oh, a little drama never killed anyone." He reached out his hand to Gwyn. "Perhaps we can go to Elise's abode at the Gilded Towers?"
Gwyn took his hand and looked towards Elise.
Elise sighed, resigned to what was about to happen.
"Fine, I don't see why not."
"Perfect!" He said, wearing a confident smile. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Then I can't wait to show you all what I have planned."