Chapter 14: Step One Is Believing
And Quen grinned, spinning in place once, arms wide.
"Class begins now."
Silence stretched across the floating platform.
Students shifted awkwardly, glancing around for direction, unsure whether they were supposed to start walking, casting spells, or bowing.
Ethan was about to ask a question—any question—when Quen paused mid-twirl, turned their head slightly, and blinked.
"Oh. Right." They chuckled softly, turning toward the center of the stone platform. "You're all still standing. My mistake."
They raised a single hand. The air shimmered. And with a burst of soft light, a wave of ornate chairs shimmered into existence—hovering just above the stone before gently lowering into place in perfect rows.
Chairs of all styles. No uniformity. One was shaped like a giant lily pad. Another looked like it was carved from ice. Ethan swore one of them was just... a cloud.
"Choose wisely," Quen said with a smirk. "Your posture says more about your spellcasting than your grades ever will."
The students hesitated for a beat, then started moving toward the seats, each selecting one like it might bite them.
Ethan picked a sturdy-looking one with deep blue cushioning that pulsed faintly under his hands. As he sat, the chair adjusted slightly to match the curve of his back. It felt... perfect.