He didnt know what hed been expecting, but he should have known it wouldnt be like your typical classroom. Instead, it was a domed room, with the seats in a horseshoe around the edges. In the middle was a sort of stage, with a raised platform. And there stood a woman in a white lab coat. She immediately reminded Oliver of Ms. Belfry, with her chestnut brown hair and warm smile. He wondered how Ms. Belfry was doing, back at Campbell Junior High.

Doctor Ziblatt is a wonderful tutor, Simon said to Oliver. Shes the most intelligent person one could ever have the pleasure of knowing.

They took their seats and Oliver noticed Esther sitting just a few rows ahead. She had a very poised demeanor, Oliver thought, as though she was aware that she drew the attention of every boy in the room.

Oh, Ralph said, leaning over from beside him. You should strap in.

What? Oliver asked. Why?

He noticed black straps hanging either side of him and quickly clipped in. No sooner had he done so than the whole room started to spin. Oliver clutched the edge of the bench, feeling his neon pancakes swirling in his stomach and regretting now the speed with which hed eaten them.

Whats happening? he said.

But when he looked over, Walter, Simon, Ralph, and Hazel were just blurs beside him. In fact, the whole room was a blur!

Then at last, everything came back into focus, in crystal, pinpoint precision.

You okay? Ralph asked, looking over at Oliver. He grinned widely.

Oliver blinked several times. I think so. What just happened?

Centrifugal motion, Hazel explained. It helps us tap into our powers more easily. But of course you have to get to the point where you dont feel like youre spinning anymore, which is very fast. Its never fun to get there, but once you are its fine.

So were still spinning now? Oliver asked, surprised.

Yeah! Walter exclaimed enthusiastically. Cool, huh?

Just then, Doctor Ziblatt addressed the class. Today were going to resume our studies on dimensional vision. Could someone remind the rest of the class what that is?

To Olivers shock, almost every single hand shot into the air. The School for Seers was very different from Campbell Junior High, he realized; the students actually wanted to learn. Even though Edmund and Vinnie had taken a disliking to him, at least he wouldnt have to deal with being called a freak or a nerd in this place.

Doctor Ziblatt scanned the students with their raised hands. Miss Valentini, she said, pointing at Esther.

Oliver watched with rapt attention as the beautiful Esther stood, her black hair glistening under the lights.

Dimensional vision is the ability to see through your current dimensional plane into the next, she said.

Her voice was like a piano, or a harp, making the most wonderful music. Olivers heart skipped a beat.