Stupidly, his first instinct was to ask Zasia for advice. She had a way of cutting through his bullshit to get to the core problem. Of course, the one person he could count on most was nowhere to be found, and it was his own dumb fault. Kedrin would still listen, but even his understanding had limits. He wasn’t counting on too much support from the two of them this time.

Why did these moments of clarity always come after he’d screwed everything up? Avoiding it until it blew over was tempting, but he knew that wouldn’t work this time. He didn’t really want to, either. He was really, really sick of being a mess. Ironically, losing Zasia, the one person who’d tried her best to make him better, was finally the one thing that encouraged him to try. How pathetic.

Aldric sighed as he rubbed his face with his hands in exhaustion. He already knew what Miraea would say. To be the change he wanted to see. That these kids still had a chance, and he could be the one that showed them a better way. He had an awful feeling in his gut that he was just going to be beating his head against the wall. Maybe all of his efforts would prove fruitless. It wouldn’t be the first time that good intentions failed him.

But meeting Nadrina had made him weirdly hopeful. Maybe she was what he needed. She was a commoner, and more than enthusiastic to learn. She didn’t have any of the nonsense that nobles and other mages had polluting her thoughts and actions. Aldric realized that a professor probably shouldn’t single out students like that, but he’d never claimed to be a good professor. If he could at least get one kid to see magic like he had once, maybe that would be enough for him.

And who better than the girl who’d given him almost the same answer he’d given to Miraea all those years ago?

Aldric smiled despite himself. “Fine. You’ll get your way, as always.”

The empty room didn’t answer him, of course, no matter how much he longed to hear her voice again. However, he could imagine the familiar frown replaced by that lovely, quiet smile.

Chapter 5

Aldric faced down the enemy in front of him, feeling sweat drip down his neck as his nerves got the better of him. Thrice now he’d gone to make his move, but his foe still stood, mocking him with its presence. Aldric had faced down some horrible things in the past. Impossible odds were commonplace to him. There shouldn’t be an enemy that could cause him to hesitate or doubt himself.

And yet, a stupid office door had him at a standstill.

“Um, professor? You can just go on in—”