Book One – Chapter 2

THE LIGHTHOUSE stood as their closest and most refined refuge, nestled in the northernmost reaches of the continent. A hideout accessible only with great difficulty, both in the tangible realm and in the elusive mirror plane.

Yves had crossed paths with his fair share of rivals and mercenaries in the past, all seeking the potent magical artefacts he had acquired during his tenure as an artefact hunter. Some of these artefacts possessed undeniable power and value, while others remained shrouded in enigmatic secrets. With many, Yves had not deciphered the true potential they entailed. Most of them were trash. To safeguard these treasures, he had devised three discreet hiding places, of which the lighthouse was the most warded against detection.

Before his induction into the Emery Thurm Academy, Yves had grappled with his Lightshifter abilities. Much like many young wizards, he had once harboured aspirations of being a Worldbender instead. The art of manipulating light and glass didn’t come instinctively to fledgling wizards; it demanded months and years of guided instruction to unlock its potential. At eight or nine years old, the prospect of creating shards or shifting light simply seems far less alluring than the grandiosity of shapeshifting or elemental control. It can be a frustrating revelation to be stuck with your innate spectrum, especially within the halls of a wizarding school brimming with novices who wielded the very Worldbender spectrum you actually yearned for. Over time, most novices come to terms with their once-thwarted childish desires, instead realising their own potential and limitations. With age came a deeper understanding of your own spectrum’s value — genuine or feigned.