"The Hall of Echoes awaits..." The whisper slithered through the air like smoke, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. I shivered as the voice—or voices?—repeated the name with reverence and menace intertwined. "The Hall of Echoes... where past meets present... where magic remembers..."
The world around me stopped spinning, reality solidifying after what felt like an eternity trapped in fictional worlds.
I looked down at my body, thankfully male and normally proportioned once again, and felt an overwhelming wave of relief. No more female bodies. No more droids. No more British wizards. Just regular, unlucky me.
The space around me materialized into something both magnificent and unsettling. We stood in what appeared to be a vast circular chamber with walls that seemed to shift between solid stone and transparent crystal depending on the angle of light. Countless archways lining the perimeter, each glowing with a different hue of magical energy. Between the arches hung ancient-looking tapestries depicting magical duels from different eras. Robed figures wielding staffs, warriors channeling elemental forces through ornate weapons, modern mages with intricate sigil-work at their fingertips.
The floor beneath us was a massive mosaic depicting what I recognized as the major arcana of a traditional tarot deck, arranged in a spiraling pattern that drew the eye inevitably toward the center where a raised platform stood.
"Behold the Hall of Echoes!" Professor Zephyr's voice boomed through the chamber, his figure materializing at the center platform in a theatrical swirl of air currents. "Where the magical techniques of history have left their imprint upon reality itself!"
Professor Gravitas appeared beside him with considerably less flair, simply stepping into existence with perfect poise. "The final stage of Level One," he added, his severe expression softening almost imperceptibly. "Where theoretical knowledge meets practical application."
A familiar green bulbous head popped up between them, tentacle-vines wiggling with excitement. "AND WHAT A SPECTA-CHLOROPHYLL EVENT IT PROMISES TO BE!" Bloombastic bellowed, his head changing colors rapidly. "The Chaos-Father has made it this far, against all statistical probability, I might add!"
"That's rather the point with Mr. Ardent," Professor Gravitas said dryly.
I ignored them as I spotted Finn and Gavril across the chamber and hurried over to them, weaving through clusters of other surviving competitors.
"Looks like you managed to survive without us." Gavril said with a smile.
"Barely," I replied, clasping his shoulder. "How was your third story? I'm guessing equally traumatizing?"
Gavril shuddered dramatically. "I was transformed into a detective in some noir mystery world. Had to solve a murder where all the evidence was encrypted in mathematical equations."
"Could've been worse," Finn chimed in. "I was thrown into some dystopian young adult novel. Had to lead a rebellion against an oppressive government while solving complex alchemy puzzles." He rolled his eyes. "The rebellion part was fun, though. Got to blow stuff up."
"What about you?" Gavril asked, eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Your third story must have been something if you managed to get through it."
I felt heat rising to my face. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Oh, but I think everyone would be fascinated to hear about Mei and her dashing fiancé Takashi," came a smooth voice from behind me.
I spun around to find Elias standing there, looking perfectly composed as always, a hint of amusement dancing in his silver eyes. My stomach dropped. Of course he would bring this up in front of everyone.
"One more word, Aurellian," I growled, "and I swear.."
I didn't finish the threat because something strange happened. As my frustration spiked, I felt that now-familiar sensation, probability currents shifting around me. Without conscious thought, I... nudged them. Just a tiny push in a specific direction.
The result was immediate. Elias's next words came out as a series of unintelligible bubbles, his expression shifting from smug to startled as he realized he could no longer form words properly.
A moment of stunned silence fell between us. Finn and Gavril stared at me with wide eyes. Even Elias looked genuinely surprised, the first time I'd ever seen him caught completely off-guard.
"Did you just.." Gavril began.
"I think I did." I said, equally shocked. The control had come almost intuitively, nothing like the desperate attempts I'd been making during training sessions with Liora.
Elias narrowed his eyes at me, the bubbling sound finally stopping as the effect wore off. He opened his mouth, then closed it, studying me with renewed interest.
"Well," he finally said, his composure returning like a well-practiced mask slipping back into place. "It seems our alliance will be even more interesting than I anticipated."
Before we could discuss what had just happened, a massive holographic display materialized above the central platform, drawing everyone's attention. Numbers and names began appearing, arranging themselves into a ranking system.
"Ah, the moment of truth!" Professor Zephyr announced. "The final rankings after our first two challenges!"
We all watched intently as the numbers settled. I scanned for my name and found it: Asher Ardent - Rank 84. Not great, but I'd survived. Finn was 86, Gavril 82. I continued scanning upward: Elias at 60, Soren at 64, Vael at 69, and Valentina at 71. A total of 90 students remained.
"Congratulations to all of you who have advanced!" Professor Zephyr called out, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. "You've proven your theoretical knowledge can withstand practical application, even in the most unusual circumstances!"
"Do not become complacent," Professor Gravitas added, his stern gaze sweeping across the chamber. "The true test begins now."
"INDEED!" Bloombastic's bulbous head flashed vibrant purple with excitement. "The Hall of Echoes will test both your mettle and Your magic!"
Professor Zephyr stepped forward, his robes billowing dramatically despite the lack of wind. "The rules of this final challenge are simple yet ancient. Each of you will participate in three magical duels based on tarot-themed matchups."
"The tarot," Professor Gravitas explained, "is not merely a divination tool but a symbolic language that predates modern magical theory. Each card represents fundamental magical principles that will influence your duels."
"You must draw thrice or have 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss at least; in order to advance forward" Professor Zephyr continued. "However, the Hall of Echoes is not a neutral battleground."
"This magnificent chamber has absorbed centuries of magical conflict!" Bloombastic interjected, tentacle-vines gesticulating wildly. "Past spells, techniques, and energies have imprinted themselves into the very walls!"
"These magical echoes will manifest unpredictably during your duels," Professor Gravitas said. "You must adapt to these interferences while maintaining your focus on your opponent."
Professor Zephyr gestured toward the walls where I now noticed faint magical inscriptions glowing and fading in rhythmic patterns. "The whispers you hear are not merely atmospheric. They may offer hints, or deliberate distractions. Learning to filter useful information from deception will be crucial."
"Now for the fun part!" Bloombastic announced, his head turning a vivid orange. "THE TAROT SELECTION!"
The floor mosaic began to glow, each card illuminating in sequence until the entire spiral was alight with magical energy. The central platform transformed into what appeared to be a massive tarot deck, cards the size of dinner plates floating in a perfect stack.
"Approach when your name is called," Professor Gravitas instructed. "You will draw two cards, the first represents you, the second your opponent."
Names began to be called in reverse ranking order. As student after student approached, drew their cards, and learned their matchups, I felt my palms growing sweaty. When "Ardent, Asher" finally echoed through the chamber, I took a deep breath and walked forward.
The massive cards shuffled themselves as I approached, their backs decorated with intricate magical symbols that seemed to move when I focused on them. As instructed, I reached for the top card.
The moment my fingers touched it, the card flipped itself over, growing in size until it hung before me like a magical portrait. The image depicted a young man stepping off a cliff, seemingly oblivious to the danger, a small dog at his heels, a bindle over his shoulder, and the sun shining above.
"The Fool!" Professor Zephyr announced, sounding delighted. "Beginnings, innocence, and spontaneity, but also foolishness and risk-taking. How remarkably appropriate!"
"The Fool walks between worlds," Professor Gravitas added with unusual solemnity. "Neither bound by convention nor constrained by fear. A card of tremendous potential, and tremendous danger."
Bloombastic's head turned a thoughtful blue. "The Chaos-Father draws the card of infinite possibility! The statistical correlations are fascinating!"
I reached for the second card, heart pounding. This would reveal my opponent. The card flipped over to reveal a figure in elaborate robes seated before an altar, one hand pointing to the sky, the other to the earth.
"The Magician!" Professor Zephyr proclaimed. "Manifestation, resourcefulness, and power. The skilled practitioner who channels energy through will and intention."
I scanned the rankings until Professor Gravitas announced, "Your opponent will be Marius Deveraux, rank 70."
I vaguely recalled the name, a second-year who specialized in protective magic. One of the students whose sigils I'd accidentally corrupted during the probability incident, turning them from protection wards into attraction beacons for minor void entities. Someone who'd definitely be thrilled to see me.
As I rejoined Finn and Gavril, the selection continued. Gavril drew The Hermit and would face The Chariot, a third-year student named Lyra Windborne. Finn pulled The Star and would face The Empress, a second-year named Isolde Luminar, known for her plant manipulation magic. Both matchups sounded challenging, to say the least.
"So," Finn said when we were all gathered again, "I'm facing someone who can turn flowers into deadly weapons, you're up against someone who can probably summon void creatures now, thanks to you, and Gavril's fighting a third-year speed specialist." He grinned. "Just another day at Arcanis, right?"
Gavril looked pale but determined. "At least they're not Personifications."
"Small mercies," I agreed, feeling remarkably calm despite everything.
I glanced down at my hands, remembering how I'd instinctively manipulated probability to silence Elias. Had that been a fluke, or was I finally beginning to understand my connection to Lady Fortune's domain?
"The first duels will commence in five minutes!" Professor Zephyr announced. "Prepare yourselves!"
"Good luck," Gavril said, a hint of anxiety in his voice. "Though I suppose in your case, that could go either way."
Finn punched my shoulder lightly. "Just try not to destroy reality this time. I'd like to finish the tournament before we all graduate."
"No promises," I replied with a half-smile.
A sudden chime rang through the chamber, and Professor Gravitas's voice echoed around us. "Duelists to your positions."
The floor beneath us began to glow, individual tarot cards illuminating beneath our feet.
"Kick some magical ass," Finn called as he began to fade from view.
"See you on the other side," Gavril added, already semi-transparent.
The teleportation magic took hold, and as the Hall of Echoes dissolved around me, I caught one last glimpse of Elias. He wasn't being teleported yet, his duel must be scheduled later. Our eyes met briefly, and he gave me a slight nod that might have been encouragement or challenge. With Elias, it was always hard to tell.
Then reality folded around me, and I was whisked away to face The Magician.