To her right, at the far end of the hall was a raised platform, upon which stood Lord Kelvin Stormwind, the Grand Master of the Volstrum, the male equivalent to Mistress Marakhova. Before him sat dozens of onlookers, here to witness the ceremony. The first of the candidates stood facing him, both men and women, and she walked down the aisle to take up her place at the end of the line. She had been witness to this part of the ceremony before, for all students were required to be present, but to be at the front was a new experience for her.

She looked to her left and noticed Svetlana nervously staring at Lord Kelvin. Natalia understood the other woman's apprehension, for induction into the Stormwinds was no small matter. Logically, she knew that it was just a formality, the family wouldn't go through this ceremony if they weren't sure of their students, but it was still nerve-wracking.

Soon, the other candidates took up positions to her right, each appearing more nervous than the last. She turned her gaze back to the front, where the Master of the Volstrum was readying himself to start his speech, organizing some papers on a lecturn.

Natalia watched with interest as Lord Kelvin spoke, repeating his speech from previous ceremonies. Finally, his litany complete, he called the first candidate to the stage. Mikhail walked up the steps, bowing his head as the master placed a wreath upon it, signifying his admittance into the family. Lord Kelvin pronounced him, Mikhail Stormwind, and then turned the young initiate to the audience to receive their applause.

One by one, the grand master intoned the names of the candidates, calling them up to the stage, garnering the same loud applause each time.

Finally, Natalia's name was called, and she moved up the stairs to the stage where Lord Kelvin waited. Bowing her head, he placed the wreath upon her immaculately coiffed hair.

"I pronounce you," he paused for a moment, "Natalia Stormwind." She turned to the audience but was greeted by only sporadic applause, with the exception of one man who stood, his cheers ringing loudly over the reticence of the others. She smiled as she saw him, Stanislav Voronsky, the mage hunter that had brought her to the Volstrum all those years ago.

She stepped from the stage, resuming her position in the line. The last few candidates advanced, one by one until all had received their reward and then the ceremony was complete.

Now was the time to mingle and receive the accolades of the adoring crowd, a task that most students relished, but which Natalia knew would be a lonely experience for her.

True enough, as the other new candidates were swamped with well-wishers, she stood off to the side, avoiding the press of people.

"Congratulations," said Stanislav, pushing his way past the crowd, "you've made it."