“Hello, Olivia!” Pria Peele said, striding forward and extending a hand. Olivia stood quickly and reached out to take it. Pria was, as Olivia was starting to expect from successful people on Fanwath, a striking figure. She was clearly a Ghelli with an advanced race, her broad, dragonfly-like wings glittering with motes of Energy that continuously fell away from them, bright but fading as they descended, like sparks or embers drifting away from a flame. She wasn’t short, but she seemed so in the presence of Olivia and Oylla. Her silvery hair was cut in a sort of bob, framing her youthful face with its upturned nose and bright green eyes rather strikingly.

Olivia found the professor quite beautiful and was instantly jealous of the sharp gray suit she wore. Her jacket was short and open, revealing a silky white blouse, and her pants were tapered at the ankles, showing off delicate, open-toed black shoes that would have made any Manhattanite jealous. “Pleased to meet you, Professor Peele,” Olivia said, feeling like a giant, ill-dressed oaf looming over the woman.

“The pleasure is mine! I’ve heard a lot about you, Olivia. Please, sit down,” she said, turning to find her own seat. Olivia admired how Pria had taken control of the meeting almost instantly. She glanced at Oylla as she sat back down and saw that one corner of her mouth had quirked up in an amused, sideways grin. Olivia steadied herself with a deep breath and determined to take back her command of the interview.

“Professor, I’ve heard some impressive things about you, but I wonder, what sorts of activities did you see me fulfilling under your tutelage?”

“Ahh, right to the point, I see. Have I come at the end of a long list of suitors?” she asked, chuckling slightly at her choice of words. “No need to answer that. I’m happy to explain what I have in store for members of my graduate team, which you’ll be a part of, even though you have years of basic instruction to attend. I’m new to research, other than what I did in service to older professors.” She paused and gave Oylla a smile and a nod.

“No, when I finished my studies, I didn’t have a desire to sit around trying to figure out new and novel ways to cast spells. I wasn’t interested in spending more time poring over old texts and trying to improve the enchantments on powerful artifacts or even to copy them.” She leaned forward and picked up a teacup that Oylla had filled while she spoke. She took a delicate sip and then continued, “I sought power. I sought to enhance my race. I sought to find and explore the secrets of the world. Well, it's been ten years of that, and I’m ready to work with a team to figure out some of those secrets that I uncovered.”

“Figure out?” Olivia prodded.

“Yes. I’ve come away from my explorations with dozens of artifacts that work in ways that baffle modern understanding. Some were planted by the System—treasures from worlds with more advanced Energy users than Fanwath. Some are mysteries left over from one of the worlds prior to the Joining. Some are natural wonders that defy explanation. I’m back at the academy to utilize its facilities and assemble a research team.” Again she looked at Oylla and smiled, “For a share in whatever I discover, of course.”

“Naturally,” Oylla smiled back and took a long drink of her tea.

“That sounds fascinating, Professor, but I have my own growth to consider. Would helping you to figure out mysterious artifacts be the best path forward for me?” Olivia sat back and crossed her legs, taking a moment to smooth the fabric of her magical robes and ensuring that her magical boot hung just near the edge of the table. If she were being honest, she might admit that she was trying to compete with Pria’s style or at least demonstrate that she wasn’t a typical novice. She didn’t think about it, though, perhaps acting mostly subconsciously.

“Of course, Olivia,” Pria said, smiling, her eyes indicating that she’d taken the clue—Olivia had seen a dungeon or two, herself. “I’ve a lot to teach you concerning spellcraft and Energy usage. Much of our time together would be spent with demonstrations of such and assignments from me to help focus and hone your skills.”

“So I won’t just be a full-time researcher, working for peanuts?”

“Peanuts? Should I assume that’s a colloquial term meant to indicate a small amount? If so, then no, I won’t expect you to be my research slave.” She laughed good-naturedly. “You can expect some field expeditions to test theories and devices and to gain some practical knowledge. I assure you, your time on my team will be rewarding.” Pria paused and added, “What sorts of activities were you hoping for?”

“Well, much of what you said sounded good to me, Professor. You seem like a very successful woman, and I’m sure I’d enjoy learning from your experience.”

“I think you would, as well, Olivia. I believe we have much in common.”

Olivia considered her words for a moment, her mind taking her to rather fanciful places where she studied mystical relics, explored ancient tombs, and tested theories on battlefields from bygone eras. “I’m very intrigued by your proposal, Professor. I surely appreciate you taking the time to come here today, and I’ll be sure to give what you’ve said the consideration it deserves. Is there anything you’d like to add?”

“Only that I’m more interested in working with you than ever. This meeting has been . . .enlightening.” Pria stood and continued, “Don’t stand; it’s fine. I’ll show myself out, ladies. I look forward to hearing from you, Olivia.” She turned and nodded to Oylla, “Professor. Thank you for the time.”

“I’ll speak with you soon. Thank you, Pria,” Oylla said.

Olivia smiled as she watched the professor leave the office, then she turned to Oylla and said, “You weren’t kidding! She’s impressive!”

“Yes, on many levels. Do you think she’d be your first choice as of now?”

“I don’t know! I’m intrigued by Yunsha and Professor Gan-dak, also!”

“Good! I don’t want this decision to be easy. That would mean I didn’t do my job well when I selected the candidates.” Oylla looked like she was about to say more, but a knock sounded on the door, and someone pushed it open. A small man poked his bald head through and cleared his throat noisily.

“Oylla? I saw that Peele girl leave and figured I might get in a bit early. May I come in?”

“Professor ap’Vun!” Oylla glanced quickly at Olivia and winked, then continued, “Please do come in. How fortunate that you saw the opportunity to come in early!” Oylla stood up and walked forward, reaching out with one arm to guide the stooped old fellow in.

Olivia wasn’t sure she’d seen anyone on this world that looked as old as Professor ap’Vun. He couldn’t have been more than five and a half feet tall, and his back was stooped in a permanent, forward-leaning hunch. He had tufts of white hair around the sides of his head, but the top was utterly devoid of it. He wore intricate spectacles consisting of several lenses, and she noticed that the left side had two lenses standing out on wire hinges, whereas the right side had all the lenses aligned. Behind the spectacles, his bright yellow eyes peered sharply, though, and Olivia resolved, then and there, not to underestimate his intelligence just because he acted a bit like a doddering old-timer.

“Greetings, youngster,” he said, sitting down on the couch with a heavy sigh. He peered around at the coffee table and tsked, saying, “Tea? No biscuits?”

“Of course I have biscuits! I was saving them for your visit, but you came early, didn’t you?” Oylla asked, standing and then walking over to her desk. She returned with filigreed tin. She carefully pulled off the top and set the container on the table. Even from where she sat, Olivia could smell the sugary, buttery scent of the contents. “Butter cookies from Flower Wheel’s in Persi Gables.”

“Ahh!” He smacked his lips and smiled, lifting his round blue cheeks with the expression. “That’s more like it! Good lass!” He reached out, took a flakey cookie from the tin, and took a bite, crumbs falling down his chin as he chewed noisily. He saw Olivia and Oylla watching him, and he motioned to the tin and said, “Well? Don’t make me eat these alone! They’re too good to waste them all on an old man!”

“Thank you,” Oylla said, reaching down and taking one of the cookies, and Olivia marveled at her show of respect. She, too, reached down and took a cookie, biting into it and savoring the rich, buttery flavor and the way it practically dissolved on her tongue.

“God, that’s good!” she said, unable to contain the exclamation.

“Hmm, God, is it? What deity do you serve, girl?” Professor ap’Vun asked, squinting at her over the tops of his glasses.

“Oh, um, it's an expression from my world. I’m not very religious.” Olivia had noted how the various races in this world seemed to have different belief structures, but very few of them spoke of any sort of god. She didn’t know how they would receive a discussion of Christianity and didn’t feel like she was the type of person to broach the subject. Olivia hadn’t been to church since she was a child when her grandmother had taken her to Christmas Mass.

“Oh yes, you’re the girl that traveled here through the stars, yes? With your people? Most visitors from other worlds come through the System Stones. I was impressed to hear that your people flew here through space. Now, let’s see here, why was it you wanted to work under my tutelage?”

Olivia started to speak, then stopped and looked at Oylla for clarification. The older woman’s smile was broad, and she simply shrugged at her, her star-filled eyes glittering with amusement. “Professor, my mentors, including Professor Oylla-dak here, have determined that I need a specialized course of study. I’m trying to find the best professor to study under.”

“Excellent, yes, yes. Now, I haven’t taken on an apprentice for some time. Not since old Orthal. I decided to come here and have a sit-down with you when you started showing up in my scryings.”

Again, Olivia glanced at Oylla, but the professor wasn’t any help, simply raising her eyebrow as if to indicate that she was as confused as she was. “Scryings, Professor?”

“Yes, surely Oylla’s told you of my talents for augury? I’ve predicted three of the last four disasters to strike the Empire!”

“And I’m showing up in your, um, auguries?” Olivia scooted forward in her seat, leaning toward the old professor.

“Oh, yes, but not as part of any sort of disaster. Relax, girl. I’ve seen myself dealing with a few strange things, though, and you were present, helping me with this or that. The images weren’t terribly clear, but I’m quite sure it was you. Yes, I’d recognize that pale skin and those burning eyes anywhere.”

“Burning eyes?” Olivia held a hand up to her eye self-consciously. She’d thought she had her elemental effects more under control than that.

“They’re not burning right now, Olivia,” Oylla said helpfully.

“Oh? They look ablaze to me!” Chol ap’Vun said, shrugging. “I see more than the average person, though.”

“What sorts of things would I do if I came to work as your apprentice, Professor?” Olivia asked, trying to steer the conversation back on topic.

“Oh, learn to wield massive amounts of Energy, craft sophisticated spells, investigate rumors and deal with deadly phenomena. You’ll need to get along with my team—I don’t always accompany my apprentices in the field, so you’ll often be working with one of my senior mentees.” He turned to regard Oylla, then continued, “The other professors here probably don’t even know what I do most of the time, but there are a few that understand the importance of my work. I’m confident I’ll be hearing from you, Olivia. You might do yourself a favor when you report to my offices and bring a tin of these biscuits.”

“I . . .” Olivia’s mouth fell open. For the first time in a long while, she was unable to think of something to say. She turned to Oylla and was further flummoxed to see the powerful professor staring at Chol ap’Vun with a look of abstract confusion. The old man stood up, picked up the tin of cookies, and smiled broadly, revealing even, white teeth with very pronounced canines.

“Ladies! Thank you for the visit. I’ll speak to you soon, I’m sure.” He turned then and walked out of the office.

Oylla looked at Olivia, and Olivia could tell she was struggling to find words. Finally, she said, “That was surprising. I thought he was just an old, nearly retired professor biding his time by lingering around the place where he spent most of his life. I don’t know anything about any team that works under him, and I surely didn’t know anything about his ‘auguring’ ability. My mind is so frazzled right now that I’m only just realizing that I’m babbling to you about things I don’t know. Olivia, I must ask that you don’t mention this to anyone while I work to figure out what is going on with that man.”

“I don’t even know what I’d say, Professor,” Olivia said. She meant it, but one thing was for sure: the meeting with Chol ap’Vun had eclipsed the meetings with the other professors in her mind, and she was having a hard time thinking about anything else.