Oh yes, Professor Amethyst said. Youre a very important young man, Oliver. Some might say youre as important as I am, but that depends on which history book youre reading, I suppose.

Im sorry, Oliver said, spinning to face the man who was currently floating behind him. But what do you mean?

Doctor Ziblatt had seemed certain Oliver couldnt be the one they were waiting for. With all his failures, Oliver was inclined to agree with her. But the headmaster seemed to be suggesting the opposite. Oliver didnt even dare hope that the headmaster was right about this.

It will all become clear, Professor Amethyst said. One bit of information at a time. We dont want your head to...

...explode, Oliver finished. Hed heard the mantra enough now.

Professor Amethyst chuckled. I called for you now because in ninety-nine point nine percent of timelines, Edmund comes to his senses and knocks you silly.

Oh, Oliver said. About that…

Im not going to give you an ear-lashing, Professor Amethyst said. Although I cant tolerate violence in my school and youll be punished in due course. But thats not what this meeting is for. This is an introduction. A welcome.

Oliver felt relieved to be temporarily let off the hook.

Can we sit down somewhere? he asked. This spinning is making me seasick.

Of course, Professor Amethyst replied.

He clicked his fingers and in the blink of an eye, the space transformed. The galaxy disappeared and Oliver was suddenly sitting on a couch. Just a plain brown leather couch, with a slight rip in the armrest. There was a fireplace to the left, and a coffee table ahead of him, sitting on a weathered Persian rug.

Is this more what youre used to? Professor Amethyst said.

Oliver looked around at the room, which had the appearance of an old 1940s-era study. His head spun from the suddenness of the transformation that had taken place before his eyes. Professor Amethyst must be a very powerful Seer if he could rearrange all those atoms so quickly without breaking a sweat.

I guess, Oliver said.

Good, then lets begin, Professor Amethyst said. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knobby knees. Firstly, I want to apologize.

Apologize for what? Oliver asked, blinking with confusion.

For the death of your guide. Inventor Illstrom, wasnt it?

Oliver felt a horrible sinking feeling in his chest at the mention of Armandos name. Hed not given anywhere near enough thought to his deceased hero since coming to the school; hed let the factory fade into the back of his focus. He felt awful about that now, about letting Armandos murder take second fiddle to his adventure at the school.

But then another thought struck him. Why was Professor Amethyst apologizing for that?

Armandos death wasnt your fault, Oliver said.