Jake’s footsteps echoed through the cavernous halls of University of Maryland, Baltimore’s School of Mystic Studies, slowing as he neared the psychic signature he sought. He paused to get his bearings and approached one of the classrooms. 

A smooth baritone with an upstate New York accent resonated from within. “That’s the syllabus in a nutshell. If you have any more questions, direct them to whichever TA you think is cuter.”

The ensuing laughter abruptly faded as Jake slipped inside. He cringed apologetically and slinked into an empty seat in a back corner of the room.

The teacher regarded Jake as if a mystery had just been solved.

He was an imposing figure, a shade over six feet with a solid frame. He wore neatly pressed stone white dress slacks and a light blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, accessorized by a dark blue tie, gold Rolex, and several rings adorning both hands. Wiry black hair and a full black beard filled out the edges of his otherwise smooth, fair skinned features.

A chalkboard stretched from one end of the wall behind him to the other, covered in the middle by a projection screen which contained the syllabus he’d been discussing before Jake’s interruption. The top of the page read:

MYS-320: Ritual Geometry II – Prof Sebastian Blackthorne

As the collective creak of two dozen students twisting in their chairs subsided, the professor spoke again, loud enough to bring attention back on him. 

“So let’s establish a baseline." He let the pause linger until all eyes were back on him. "What are the five principles of magic?”

One eager student said, “Earth, air, fire, water, spirit.”

“Incorrect,” Blackthorne replied flatly. “That was not my question. And even if it had been, there are six elements, not five. But since you brought it up…” He picked up a piece of chalk and repeated the answer, drawing a line for each element until he had a pentagram. He then drew a circle around the five points and asked, “Encompassed by?”

Another student chimed in. “Energy.”

“Thank you, Miss Sawyer. I see you did better in Thaumaturgy 101 than Mr. Morrison.”

He turned during the wave of chuckles, smiling good naturedly. “Now think inward. Magic comes from within.” All of the students raised their hands, save one. Blackthorne gestured to him. “Care to redeem yourself?”

“Knowledge, understanding, discipline, will, faith.”

The professor tapped on each corner of the center pentagon in turn. “Congratulations you’ve passed sophomore year and  you’re ready for my class after all. I didn’t see too many deer in headlights, so let’s go out on a limb and open to chapter two.”

Next Chapter: Meet Tara