“‘Wow’ indeed,” the woman said. She was as tall as a cornstalk, with a thin face, sharp nose, and arched eyebrows. Her hair was black except for one white streak that had been pinned back behind her ear. She wore black robes that sparkled with yellow bolts, and she carried a metal cane with a black orb at its end. She looked, Mina thought, very dramatic. “Someday you may create such a masterpiece, perhaps. Not all succeed here. The path of a lightning guardian is not an easy one, and there are those who fail to rise to the challenge.”

Mina felt her mouth grow suddenly dry. Before she’d arrived, she’d never considered that failing to become a storm guardian was a real possibility, but now that she was standing here, it felt like more than just a vague fear.

I was so focused on everything that came before this moment—​the egg hatching, convincing my parents to let me go, traveling up the river—​that I didn’t stop to really think about what would come after.

“We won’t fail,” Jyx said. “We were born for this! Right, Mina?”

I wasn’t, Mina thought, but she buried that thought quickly, before Pixit could see it. She sensed Pixit sliding closer to her. He laid his head under her hand, as if to reassure her. At least he was born for this. Maybe that will be enough. Weakly, Mina whispered, “Right.” She didn’t think anyone heard her.

“If you succeed, you will graduate in six months, as the Class of Fall 894,” the woman said. “Since storm beasts hatch throughout the year, our graduating classes are grouped loosely by season.”

“Go, Fall 894!” Jyx whooped, then said in a more polite, talking-to-a-teacher voice, “I’m Jyx and this is Chauda. We’re here to join the Class of Fall 894.”

“Welcome, Jyx and Chauda.” The woman paused. And Mina realized she was waiting for Mina to introduce herself, but Mina’s throat felt so clogged and her heart was thumping so fast that she had to swallow twice before she could make a sound. By then, the woman had already continued. “You must be Mina and Pixit. I am Professor Werrin, headmistress of Mytris. If you will follow me, I will lead you to your dorm room. Counting you, there are eighteen students in your season, all housed near one another, but we train you in smaller groups to better tailor your lessons to your skill level. As our two newest students, you two will be both roommates and training partners—”

“Yes!” Jyx pumped the air with her fist. “Mina, hope you’re ready to fly high and fast. Both my parents were lightning guardians, and they graduated top of their class. We’re gonna do the same. At least as soon as Pixit and Chauda’s wings can hold us.”