The silver mask was sliced clean through by the blade. Kandelian stared at the face beneath it, at the nine bloodshot eyes laid bare—like enormous fish eggs—and the brown-black, ulcerated skin left by scorching...
For a moment, he remembered the first time he had met this student. "Hello, is this the registration office for the War Magic Department?"
His enrollment work had been almost finished then.
As he gathered the documents on his desk, a young man poked his head through the gap in the door.
A brown mushroom cut covered half his face, even hiding his eyes deep beneath his fringe. The two red blotches on his cheeks looked strange, like the flush of someone brimming with vitality.
He pushed up the enormous round glasses on his nose, trying to peer timidly out at the world.
Seated in the admissions office, Kandelian instinctively knitted his brows.
This was clearly not the sort of candidate he wanted.
But he never judged others by first impressions, so he merely cleared his throat to establish his authority, then answered in a low voice, "Come in."
He watched the fellow enter with an embarrassed grin, limping as though he had sprained his leg.
That also revealed a robe that looked soaked in black oil. He stood filthy in the office, leaving a black footprint with every step.
"Should I stand here?"
"Where else? On your hands over there?"
"All right."
When the fellow actually began planting his hands on the floor, Kandelian grew irritated.
How did Starlight Mage Academy, renowned throughout the Lord Alliance, turn out students like this? "I understand your circumstances now. Go home and wait to hear from us."
"All right."
Watching the young man nod blankly and turn to leave, Kandelian nearly laughed in exasperation. "You don't have anything