"It transforms the symbols into a quincunx," declared Master Zoltar as he raised three wristbands from a stone table that appeared to be carved from a single piece of rock. The wristbands, which were wide leather cuffs with a strip of iron riveted into the cuffs and secured with a matching metal buckle, elicited awe from Samantha as she picked up her own wristband.
"Wow," she breathed.
Fin, however, remained skeptical. "Are they magic?" he asked.
"These wristbands symbolize your advancement in the Memora. If you successfully pass your end-of-year examination, you will receive a higher rank," Master Zoltar explained. "The first rank, Arcanum, is represented by iron, followed by Aureum, then Obsidian, Platinum, and finally, Diamond. Once you have completed your Diamond Year, you will be considered a journeyman mage, eligible for admission to the Collegium.
"In answer to your question, Fin, yes, these wristbands are magic," he added. "They have been crafted by a metal shaper and serve as keys, granting you access to the classrooms in the tunnels. As you advance, you will receive additional metals and stones to adorn your cuffs, representing your accomplishments, so that by the time you graduate, they will reflect your entire journey here."
Master Zoltar then made his way to a small kitchen area and retrieved three empty wooden plates from a cabinet above an unusual stove. "We prefer to allow new apprentices to settle in their rooms on their first night rather than overwhelming them in the Refectory, so you'll dine here tonight," he said as he produced a package of bologna and a loaf of bread from his pocket, items that seemed to defy the laws of physics.
"Those plates are empty," Fin pointed out.
"So they are," Master Zoltar replied, "but not for long." He then proceeded to make three sandwiches and carefully halved each one, placing them on the wooden plates. "Now, picture your favorite meal," he instructed.
Fin glanced between Master Zoltar, Samantha, and Lance, wondering if this was some kind of magic they were supposed to perform. Could Master Zoltar be suggesting that if they pictured a delicious meal while eating a bologna sandwich, the bologna would taste better? Could the mages have been monitoring his thoughts the whole time?
"Fin, is anything the matter?" Master Zoltar asked, causing Fin to jump.
"Can you hear my thoughts?" Fin blurted out.
Master Zoltar's gaze was intense as he regarded Lance with a hint of enigma. His eyes narrowed with the fluidity of a predatory reptile, reminiscent of the exotic lizards adorning the intricately crafted Memora ceiling. "Samantha," he inquired with a deliberate and measured tone, "can I access Fin's thoughts with my mystical abilities?"
Samantha, a seasoned practitioner of the arcane arts, offered a succinct explanation. "Mages can only delve into an individual's mind if they are actively projecting their thoughts," she informed the duo.
Master Zoltar inclined his head in understanding, "And what does she mean by projecting, Lance?" he asked, eliciting an answer from his protégé.
Lance contemplated the query for a moment before he replied, "Do you mean thinking very hard?"
Master Zoltar gave a slow nod, "Precisely. So please, Fin, concentrate and project your thoughts with the utmost intensity."
Fin concentrated on his favorite foods, imagining the taste and texture in vivid detail. However, his thoughts were constantly hijacked by comical images of absurd culinary creations, such as a pie baked inside a cake, or a pyramid made of 37 Twinkies.
In a fluid motion, Master Zoltar raised his hands and Fin was suddenly unable to think of anything. The image of a sandwich began to take shape in the air, tendrils of bologna unfurling and expanding as the scent of fresh bread filled the air.
Lance, who had been munching on chips, leaned in with a look of amazement. The sandwich had transformed into a plate, a bowl, and a carafe. The bowl was overflowing with macaroni and cheese, coated in breadcrumbs and emanating heat, as though it had just been pulled from an oven. The plate held a decadent brownie smothered in ice cream, while the carafe was filled with an amber liquid that Fin suspected was apple juice.
"Wow," Lance exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder. "It's exactly what I envisioned. But is it real?"
Master Zoltar gave a nod of affirmation. "It is as real as the sandwich. Remember the Fourth Principle of Magic: you can alter a thing's form, but not its essence. And since I did not alter the food's inherent nature, it has truly been transformed." He then turned his gaze to Samantha, "Now, let us see what you are capable of."
Fin was curious if the lack of familiarity with magic would affect the taste of Lance's mac and cheese. Despite his concern, it appeared that Fin was not the only one in the group who had forgotten the principles of magic.
"It held a big plate of sushi with a lump of green stuff on one end and a bowl of soy sauce on the other. With it was another plate with three round pink mochi balls," Samantha described her food as she approached her tray. "I'd received hot green tea to drink and actually looked happy about it."
Fin approached his tray with skepticism, wondering what he would find. To his delight, it contained his favorite meal - chicken fingers with ranch dressing for dipping, a side bowl of spaghetti with tomato sauce, and a peanut butter sandwich with cornflakes for dessert. In his mug was hot chocolate with whipped cream and colorful marshmallows dotting the top.
"And now, I leave you to settle in. Someone will be along soon with your things," Master Zoltar announced, before adding, "I expect the three of you up and dressed at nine tomorrow - and furthermore, I will expect you to be sharp-witted and ready to learn. We have much work to do together, and I would be very sorry if you didn't live up to the promise you showed at the Trial."
"Can I call my father?" Fin asked. "I mean, is there a phone I could use? I don't have one of my own."
"Cellular phones don't work in the Memora, Finnick. We're too far below ground for that. Nor do we have landline phones. We use the elements to communicate. I would suggest we give Landon some time to calm down, and then you and I will contact him together," Master Zoltar replied gently.
"Now," Master Zoltar continued, "I expect the three of you up and dressed at nine tomorrow - and furthermore, I will expect you to be sharp-witted and ready to learn. We have much work to do together, and I would be very sorry if you didn't live up to the promise you showed at the Trial."
Fin bit back any protests and accepted Master Zoltar's response, knowing that it was a definite no, but not a mean one. After Master Zoltar left, the trio sat down to enjoy their meal together, seated on stalagmite stools at the smooth stone table.