Delgar was still exhausted when he was called from his room to the chancellor’s office. He had just finished putting his books in order after writing his final examinations, a hard and grueling time when he had spent more nighttime hours awake than he had ever wanted to think about. He had no choice in the matter: if he failed the examination, he would fail school. But, despite his fatigue, there was no refusing the call of the chancellor, so Delgar put down the books and headed out of his residence.
    He found four people sitting in Chancellor Berran’s office, three of whom he recognized. Daelyn gave him a sage nod, as did Archmage Velnan. The fourth man was tall and dark haired, but with a fair complexion and almost green eyes.
    Delgar swallowed when Berran looked up and motioned to the only empty chair in the office. “Please sit, Novice Delgar.”
    Delgar sat down carefully, trying to make himself seem as small as possible.
    “Your sponsor, Archmage Velnan, Vice-Chancellor Vertanus and I have been reviewing your record for this year, now that your examination results are in,” Berran said. “We have all been quite amazed.”
    “Sir, I can explain,” Delgar began. “I didn’t get a lot of sleep the night before, and-”
    “And your results are exemplary,” Berran stated. “I don’t think the Mageschool has ever had a student as apt at theory as yourself. Be proud, Master Delgar; you have lived up to your sponsor’s expectations, and my own.”
    “I’m a Master?” Delgar stammered, hardly believing his ears.
    Velnan nodded. “Any novice who passes his first year becomes a master of magical theory. Be thankful, young Delgar; half of your class didn’t make it.”
    “Before we admit you to your first year of practical magic, Vice-Chancellor Vertanus has some questions for you,” Berran said. “Vertanus?”
    The tall man turned in his chair to face Delgar. “Master Delgar,” he said with a deep, aristocratic voice. “I understand that you have performed some wild magic. Is this true?”
    Delgar nodded. “Yes sir.”
    “Will you please tell me exactly what happened?”
    Delgar took a deep breath. Finally, he began to talk. As he told the Archmages what had happened, the tears began to flow out of him, until he faced the wizards, tired and drained.
    Vertanus nodded and turned to Berran. “I don’t see any hazard here. Obviously the wild magic only arose when Master Delgar’s life and family were threatened. I don’t believe he will accidentally destroy one of the laboratories.”
    Berran nodded and turned to Delgar. “I’m sorry for putting you through that, but it was necessary. Welcome to your second year, Master Delgar. Archmage Velnan has requested you as his student, so he will be your tutor next year. Also, Daelyn has arranged for us to provide you with employment over the summer in our libraries. You will be working with several of your classmates; this arrangement is very common for students whose sponsors live far from Taerra, and our students come from all over Mideorth. Do you have any questions?”
    “Just one, sir,” Delgar said. “I have a friend named Tomlin, and I was wondering if he passed.”
    “I really shouldn’t release that information,” Berran said.
    Velnan held up his hand. “I don’t see a problem. His marks were not as high as yours, but he certainly passed. I believe his tutor will be Archmage Lydia; she specializes in earth magic.”
    “Thank you sir.”
    “Well, I don’t believe that we have any more business with you today, Master Delgar,” Berran said. “You may go.”
    As Delgar got up, Daelyn put his hand on his shoulder. “Delgar, could you please wait outside for a moment? I want to talk to you after this.”
    Delgar nodded and walked out of the office. Just outside the door he collapsed in relief. He had passed. As he listened to the muffled voices of his sponsor and the Archmages, he had the unshakable feeling that he had only taken the first steps on a long journey.