Arlen stood in the stone-walled chamber of the mages' guild, the air tingling with the anticipation of those watching. Before him, the senior mage—Mistress Elira—regarded him with a keen, appraising gaze. Around them, shelves of arcane tomes and softly glowing crystals hinted at the knowledge Arlen hoped to access.
"Demonstrate mastery of your current spells," Mistress Elira instructed. "Then, show adaptability by combining or modifying them. We value creativity as much as control."
Arlen began with the basics: he conjured orbs of light, manipulated them into shifting patterns, and extinguished them with a thought. Next, he summoned Shadow Veil, melting his form into the edges of the room, leaving only a faint shimmer where he stood.
For his final display, Arlen focused his mana and wove Shadow Veil with Basic Magic, creating a moving illusion of himself while he skulked invisibly to the other side of the chamber. The audience murmured in appreciation at his seamless blend of concealment and misdirection.
Mistress Elira raised her hand, signaling silence. "Impressive. Now, for adaptability—alter a spell's effect on the fly."
Thinking quickly, Arlen cast Umbral Bolt, then shifted its form mid-flight into a series of smaller, darting shadows that struck multiple targets in rapid succession. The mana control required was immense, but he held the spell steady. The crystals embedded in the walls pulsed in response, measuring his power and finesse.
The senior mage nodded, a rare smile crossing her lips. "You display creativity, control, and the hallmarks of someone ready for deeper study. Welcome to the advanced lessons, Arlen Drayke. May your path through the arcane arts be both challenging and rewarding."
A surge of pride and excitement filled Arlen. The doors to greater magical knowledge—and the skills needed for the next labyrinth—were now open to him.