Professor Ignel stood up with great difficulty.
His legs shook, and every muscle in his body screamed in protest.
He was exhausted to the bone.
Acting as a living channel for all that compressed mana, enough to power a spell from a 2nd Heavenly Trial caster, had taken everything out of him.
Still, he forced himself upright and looked up at the sky.
*Screeech!*
The messenger eagle was circling high above his head, crying loudly as it searched for a good place to land.
Ignel raised his right arm like a tree branch and shouted, "Come here!"
*Screeech!*
The eagle answered with another sharp cry and dove down in a smooth spiral.
*Thuk!*
It landed perfectly on Ignel's outstretched arm, its sharp talons gripping gently.
Then it started preening its feathers with its beak, looking very pleased with itself.
Professor Ignel glanced at the small scroll tied to the eagle's leg.
"Let's see who sent you," he muttered.
He reached over carefully and untied the letter.
