Page 60 of An Arcane Education
The graduate courses where I need to write research papers take up a significant amount of time, but those are at least something I’m used to from the normal world. The tests are more difficult as I have to rely on my memory for both scientific and magical theory. My most stressful midterm, however, is a demonstration in Professor Showen’s class where I’m required to demonstrate basic elemental manipulation with all the elements—fire, water, air, and earth. I manage relative success, thanks to Alaric’s extensive tutoring, and I breathe a major sigh of relief when I receive a grade of a B minus.
On Friday afternoon, after I’ve taken all of my midterms and have finally managed to relax, a woman interrupts my Natural Spellwork class.
Dr. Hagan pauses her lecture on how moon phases can enhance particular spells depending on intention and gives the woman a questioning look.
“Hi, Professor Hagan. Sorry to bother you, but Chancellor Aldrich is asking for a student named Vivian Harver?”
All eyes turn toward me, and AJ nudges me in silent question. I shrug and stand, shoving my notebook into mybag and wondering why the hell the Chancellor would want to see me of all people. From my calculations, I’m maintaining a low B average and not failing any classes.
What if something happened at home and Mom wasn’t able to contact me directly and had to call the school? The thought makes my stomach twist, and as I walk to the castle, my mind races with everything that could’ve possibly gone wrong. If the Chancellor is the one breaking the news, then it must be pretty important. Otherwise, they would’ve had a secretary handle it.
I’ve worked myself into a near panic by the time I reach Chancellor Aldrich’s office, and my hand shakes as I knock on the door.
“Come in,” she calls. When I enter, she smiles politely but shows no indication that she’s about to break bad news to me, which calms my racing mind a little. I’ve only seen her one other time at the new student orientation, and she looks exactly the same. Brown hair with strands of gray twisted into a tight bun, a polite yet intimidating aura, and a sharp gaze that makes me feel as if I’m under inspection.
“Hi,” I say, sinking into one of the chairs in front of her desk.
“Hi, Vivian. I was recently made aware that you’re one of our only students who hasn’t used magic prior to this year, so I wanted to talk with you one-on-one to hear how your classes are going.”
Relief floods through me, and it takes me a moment to regain my composure and get my mind on the right track before I answer. “Sorry, I spent my whole walk here nervous that something was wrong, so I apologize if Iseem a little out of it. But my classes are going well. It’s taken me some time to get the hang of my magic, but I’m managing much better now.”
“That’s great to hear. And your professors have been accommodating?”
I think about telling her about Dr. Lowry and his vendetta against me, but for some reason, I decide not to mention it. “My professors have been great,” I answer. “Professor Showen and Dr. Vale have been particularly helpful in offering assistance to help me catch up with my peers.”
“Wonderful.” The Chancellor’s manicured nails tap against her coffee mug as she lifts it to take a sip before she continues. “I’ve known Professor Showen for a number of years, and she’s one of the kindest, most trustworthy people I’ve met.”
“She’s lovely,” I agree.
“Anyway, I’m happy to hear you’ve been working on your magic and doing well in your classes. I would have checked in earlier if I’d known about your history, but the information somehow slipped my notice. I just wanted to speak to you and let you know that we’re happy to have you here at Arcadia, and if there’s anything I can do to make this experience better for you, please let me know.”
“Thank you so much. I really appreciate that.”
She smiles and stands, giving me my cue to leave, so I stand as well. I don’t think before I blurt, “Did you know my father?”
Chancellor Aldrich looks taken aback by my question, so I clarify. “His name was Cameron Langley. He died before I was born, but I found the old yearbooks in thelibrary here, and you were in the same yearbooks as a professor at that time.”
Her smile tightens, but she doesn’t look shocked by the information, which makes me wonder if Professor Showen already discussed this with her. “Yes, I was a first-year professor when he started school here. He was a great student with a natural aptitude for magic.”
“Is there anything more you could tell me about him?” I ask. “It’s just that I never knew him, so finding out he attended here has opened up a lot of questions for me.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have much information. He was a student of mine for one semester, and while he was a successful student, there was nothing about him that particularly stands out as remarkable.” Her answer is polite and pointed.
“Okay. Thanks for the information anyway.” I turn to leave, but she speaks again.
“It would do you well to spend your time here focusing on your studies. I’m afraid there isn’t any more worthwhile information about your father besides what you’ve found in the yearbooks.”
Disappointment sinks like a stone in my stomach. Her words are sharp, and though I’m sure she needs to be strict to make sure the students here succeed academically and don’t spend too much time on things that detract from that, it still feels harsh that she’d tell me to stop focusing so much time on my dead father. But then I remember what Professor Showen said about my dad abandoning everyone here causing a lot of pain and resentment.
I leave her office in a rush after thanking her andmanage to catch AJ outside the building on his way into the dining hall.
“Hey! What was that all about?” he asks as soon as he sees me.
I tell him about the meeting and he shakes his head as he piles mashed potatoes onto a plate. “That’s bizarre,” he says. “I don’t understand why she’d call you in just for that.”
“Not sure, but I’m glad it’s over. She’s intimidating as hell.”
He laughs, and I eat beside him while copying his sparse notes from the part of class that I’d missed. With any luck, I won’t have to deal with meeting her again now that she’s done her duty, and I can take my time to focus on my schoolwork without any other faculty members treating me as some sort of anomaly to be wary of.
