Caelus Darion stood in his office, his gaze fixed on the shimmering glass orb resting on an intricately carved pedestal. Within its depths, the scene of the Oasis unfolded—hopefuls wandering its lush expanse, their movements laced with unease. Each action, every word spoken, was captured in the orb's glow, granting Caelus a bird's-eye view of the trial's progression. His expression was one of calm contemplation, the faintest trace of amusement curling his lips.
The faint creak of the door interrupted his reverie. Without turning, he spoke. "You're late, Nurse Melis."
Melis's voice came in soft but slightly frazzled. "My apologies, Headmaster. I had to ensure everything was in place before leaving them unattended." She stepped into the room, her usual calm demeanor undercut by a hint of nervous energy. "I'm not sure how you manage this so effortlessly."
Caelus finally turned, his piercing gaze meeting hers. He gestured to a chair across from his desk. "Sit. Tell me what's bothering you."
Melis hesitated before settling into the offered seat. "It's just…" She paused, searching for the right words. "This is my first year administering a trial, and I can't help but wonder if I've made it too difficult. They seem… stuck."
Caelus's laugh was warm, a low rumble that filled the room. "Stuck, you say?" He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. "And what exactly led you to that conclusion?"
Melis gestured toward the orb. "Look at them. They're running in circles. That boy with the sigils is obsessing over the wall, another's too wary to act, and even the ones working together seem… aimless. Shouldn't they have made progress by now?"
Caelus smiled knowingly, his eyes flicking back to the orb. "Ah, but progress isn't always linear, Melis. Sometimes, the value of a trial isn't in finding the answer quickly but in how they grapple with the question." He gestured toward the orb, where Aeryn could be seen tending to Martice after his ill-fated encounter with the sigils. "Take her, for instance. She's learning the importance of leadership and initiative, even when the path forward isn't clear."
Melis watched the orb, her brow furrowing. "And the boy with the sigils?"
"Martice? He's learning humility—a rare lesson for someone so gifted," Caelus replied, his tone tinged with amusement. "And that quiet one, Kaelen… he's testing the limits of his unique magic in ways even he hasn't realized yet."
Melis's shoulders relaxed slightly. "I suppose you've seen enough of these trials to know when to intervene."
"Intervene?" Caelus's smile widened. "Melis, the point of a trial is to push them beyond their comfort zones. If we intervene at the first sign of struggle, we rob them of growth. Remember, this is not just a test of skill; it's a test of character."
Melis nodded slowly, though her uncertainty hadn't entirely faded. "Still, it's difficult to watch them flounder."
Caelus stood, moving to pour himself a cup of tea from the ornate kettle on a side table. He poured a second cup and offered it to Melis. "It's only natural to feel that way. But trust in the process. The trial isn't meant to be easy, and they are stronger than they appear."
Melis accepted the cup with a quiet "Thank you" and took a small sip. "Do you ever worry, though? That a trial might… break them?"
Caelus's expression grew serious for a moment. "Worry? Of course. But that's part of the burden we bear as educators. We set the stage, we create the conditions, but it's up to them to rise to the occasion. If they falter, it's a lesson. If they persevere, it's a triumph."
Melis looked into her tea, her reflection distorted by the rippling surface. "I'll try to keep that in mind," she said softly.
Caelus placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're doing well, Melis. They're in capable hands."
She offered a small, grateful smile before rising. "I should return to the Oasis. Even if they're stuck, it's best if I'm there."
"Indeed," Caelus said, watching her head for the door. As it closed behind her, he turned back to the orb. His gaze lingered on the hopefuls, a faint glimmer of pride in his eyes. "Let's see how far they'll go."