After sleeping appropriately after being awake for more than 24 hours, Gio invited the other two members of his new secret spellform cabal to the study space he had created for himself in his dorm room. With only three days to go until the dungeon delve, he needed to get as much done as possible to ensure he wasn’t caught unprepared like the casino.


    “I’m not sure what I expected would happen when you two met… but it wasn’t this,” Gio said.


    Papyrus and Xerxes smiled nervously at each other.


    “Does the Scriptorium have a monopoly on all of the nerds in this school besides me?” Gio asked.


    “It can certainly seem like that, at times… but it’s not as if the Scriptorium itself is a monolith. I said that I already knew of Mister de Lamerie, not that we were very familiar with each other. As a first year, I am the newest member of my department… and the departments don’t interface frequently.” Papyrus responded in a calculated tone.


    Papyrus’ stick-straight pale blonde hair cascaded down from his head and down his narrow shoulders. The tall first-year student wore a lot of beige and a lot of ruffles. Gio was uncertain if it was a family color, or if Papyrus was determined to blend into the parchment that he seemed to surround himself with.


    “Departments. Interesting. Which ones are you two in, then?” Gio asked.


    “I am in the Spellform Restoration department, but I also spend a bit of time in the Parchment Refinement group,” Papyrus answered.


    “I spend my time almost exclusively with the Vault Seekers,” Xerxes replied.


    “Ah. The name alone invites me to draw certain conclusions about the nature of what you do there.” Gio said.


    “Honestly, most of my time is devoted to crawling through old manuscripts to dig for clues and lore. You’ll see once you finally accept my invitation, but the Scriptorium isn’t a place that you can wander freely through.” Xerxes noted.


    “I am curious about the Scriptorium, but I have been informed that I should wring as many concessions out of you as I can before I even think about setting foot there,” Gio replied cheerfully.


    Xerxes rested his chin on his hand. The older student’s dark hair was slicked back with gel in a professional-looking coif that wouldn’t have looked out of place in an advertisement for a barber shop. His piercing eyes surveyed Gio dangerously, just barely obscured by his thick-rimmed brass spectacles.


    “You know, I find it rather annoying that you know how valuable you are. I’m ever so curious as to who let that information slip.” Xerxes quipped while wearing a sardonic smile.


    Gio smiled back at him.


    “That would be privileged information. Do you know what isn’t privileged information? This free, detailed insight into some truly rare spatial magic.” Gio said, pushing copies of his notes toward his two guests.


    “Oh please, [Teleport to Hart’s Casino] is as common as it gets.” Papyrus sniped.


    “Well, yes. But this isn’t that. This is [Return from Hart’s Casino].” Gio said.


    Gio could tell that they were both trying to hide the clear intrigue on their faces.


    Am I as easy to read as they are? This is too easy.


    “It should be clear to both of you that there’s a lot to be learned here. Xerxes and I managed to cobble together a serviceable theory that I was able to leverage to teleport me into the mirror dimension by adding pieces from the first half of the spell… but I can tell that with the full set of components that we have now…” Gio said.


    “...It will be revolutionary.” Xerxes finished for Gio.


    _____


    The three scholars descended into a rhythm of study. Xerxes excelled in finding references for each obscure element of the spell. Gio managed to make connections between each piece of the puzzle, steadily demystifying the return spell much quicker than he had with the first piece. Even though Papyrus was new to the material on hand, his paper magic helped organize the trio’s notes into detailed manuscripts, which further aided the group with their respective tasks.


    By lunchtime, they had conquered the spell thoroughly. The trio dug into their take-out containers as they discussed their hard work.


    “I can’t believe that the siphoning enchantment that I took for granted was the key all along.” Gio said, in between bites of fried pickle.


    “I don’t think you took it for granted. It’s common knowledge that the casino as a whole was leeching energy from the real world… it’s just that the siphon happened to have a beneficial use that we didn’t consider until now.” Xerxes replied.


    A minuscule set of symbols in the middle of [Teleport to Hart’s Casino] turned out to be a crucial part of the function of its sister spell, [Return from Hart’s Casino]. The siphoning enchantment also happened to be responsible for the casino’s reviled reputation as a massive scam.


    Upon activating the teleport spell, an imperceptible marker would be enchanted upon the space the caster teleported from. This marker would then leech a steady but nearly imperceptible stream of ambient mana from the real world into the casino. [Return from Hart’s Casino] leveraged this enchantment ingeniously, by targeting the exact place the caster initially entered the casino and creating a sympathetic bridge back to the material world.


    “So If you cast [Teleport to Hart’s Casino] inside a clean room designed to remove the enchantment…what would have happened if you had tried to use the returning spell?” Papyrus asked.


    “Either the spell wouldn’t be able to successfully resolve… or something much worse.” Xerxes replied.


    Gio gulped.


    I guess it’s a good thing that I didn’t manage to find a copy then.


    Papyrus thoughtfully sipped his green tea.


    “I love this. Thank you for inviting me, Gio. It’s a marvel that others in our year haven’t cultivated a love for spellmaking yet. It’s a fascinating artform.” Papyrus said.


    “Oh, In all likelihood, they won’t,” Xerxes interjected.


    “I beg your pardon?” Papyrus balked.


    “Your classmates. By the time any of this starts to be testable material for your studies, many of them will have likely specialized away from learning how to make spells. In many circles of nobility, creating spells is seen as either a form of high art that should only be attempted by the fabulously wealthy and eccentric, or seen as servant work. My family, for example… are servants. The de Lamerie family has served for generations as spellscribes to the Goldwatch Empire.” Xerxes mentioned.


    Gio knitted his brows.


    “Interesting. I was under the impression that you were a member of the nobility.” Gio noted.


    “In a manner of speaking, we are. We are “treasured assets” of the royal family. In practice, this means that I grew up attending all of the galas and special debutante balls… but was told by my grandfather to be seen and not heard. My family is seen as an… accessory to the legend of the Goldwatch royal line. We have no real claim to power or resources of our own.” Xerxes disdainfully said.


    Papyrus grimaced.


    “I… know the feeling. My family are merchants. Although our company regularly rubs elbows with nobility, I don’t think any of them actually consider us to be their equals. Thankfully, we have spent generations honing our trade.” Papyrus said.


    “Your family makes paper, right?” Gio asked.


    Papyrus smiled.


    “Indeed. The Fabriano Company specializes in parchment and fine inks. We’re not the most prestigious company in the Ringed City… but we do well for ourselves. Anyways… enough talk about such gauche subjects. I want to see the fruits of our labors!” Papyrus said.


    Gio and Xerxes nodded.


    After cleaning up the remnants of their meal, the three students faced the mirror in Gio’s dorm room.


    Gio held the newly inked spell gently. He flourished his hand, allowing the mana to flow through him and into the symbols that they had artfully scribed upon Papyrus’ parchment. Gio focused on his intentions. He recalled Baphelus’ lesson on the Rule of the Sword.


    We’ve done a lot of work to make this spell function. We’ve re-written the whole thing several times. I bled for this spell. I want this to work.


    Gio felt the now-familiar embrace of the cocoon of spatial magic involved with this style of teleportation spell take hold of him. With the last iteration of the spell, there was nearly no feedback when his spell was completed. The last time that Gio had entered the mirror dimension, he wasn’t fully sure that the spell had even worked until he felt Rio tap him on the shoulder.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    This time, Gio felt a satisfying click. It was as if he had been neatly slotted into place by some unseen force. Like he had every right to be there, and in fact was supposed to be in the mirror dimension. The targeting circle that he was standing on glowed slightly.


    <Congratulations! [Beginner Spellwright] has upgraded to [Junior Spellwright].


    By creating an improved version of a potent spell, you have demonstrated an understanding of spellcraft sufficient to advance directly to the next tier.>


    <Do you wish to name your new spell?>


    Awesome!


    Gio felt his system recognize the spell in his hand as something more than the sum of its parts.


    “Uhh… spirits? Could I please hold off on naming the spell for a moment? I didn’t create it alone, and I’d like input from my friends.” Gio said to nobody.


    Rio looked up at Gio from the textbook he was reading, giggling derisively. Gio glared in his direction.


    “What are you laughing at?”


    <Acceptable.>


    Gio held up the spell again, reaching with his mana onto the page to activate the spell’s other function. He felt the silver cord of mana that anchored him to his dorm, and pulled gently on the connection. He felt the same click sensation, and he was back.


    “Did either of you…?” Papyrus asked, with wide eyes.


    “I just got a skill upgrade for that.” Gio replied.


    “I did not.” Xerxes said.


    “Oh…” Gio said, feeling a bit of his excitement deflate on his friend’s behalf.


    “Oh, don’t look at me like that. I’m already at the Senior level. I can tell that this experience was good for me. I may even get an upgrade sooner rather than later… it’s just that this wasn’t enough to push me through the next upgrade. It’s no big deal, you both deserve the upgrade.” Xerxes said.


    Gio perked back up at Xerxes’ explanation.


    “Okay, that’s good, then! What should we name the spell?” Gio asked.


    “Hmm? Gio, this is your project. You name it.” Xerxes said.


    “We worked on it together, though,” Gio replied.


    “That’s… very considerate of you. Xerxes and I can’t even cast the spell, and I don’t really have any dimensions that I’m personally attuned to that I would be able to adapt the spell to if I wanted to make an alternate version. I’ll definitely keep a copy for my portfolio… but It really does feel like your project.” Papyrus said.


    “Okay, fine… I’ll call it “Teleport to the Mirror dimension” or something boring, then.” Gio said.


    Xerxes laughed.


    “I mean… it gets the job done, doesn''t it? What else would you call it?” Xerxes said.


    “There’s certain schools of thought where they prefer dramatic titles. Something about aspirational goals or something.” Papyrus said offhandedly.


    Aspirational goals…


    Gio fell silent for a moment in contemplative thought.


    “I’ve got it. Spirits, I would like to name the spell that we have just created.”


    <Understood. Please say the name that you would like to be associated with your new spell.>


    “Mirrorwalker.” Gio said.


    <[Mirrorwalker] created.>


    “An interesting name. I think it suits you.” Xerxes said.


    “It is certainly aspirational. In the future, I hope to figure out a way to make it so that I don’t need the targeting circle.” Gio replied.


    Xerxes smiled at Gio.


    “I think that… is a good goal. I hope to be involved when you do so.” Xerxes said, walking towards the Manse.


    “Please, keep my offer in mind. The Vault Seekers would certainly enjoy having a man of your talents. See you later, gentlemen.” Xerxes said, before exiting the room.


    “I should get going as well. Minette is still having difficulties with her domain spell.” Papyrus said.


    “I’m sorry to hear that… but wait, aren’t you going to try and rope me into your department like Xerxes?” Gio asked.


    “What would be the point? You know all about the benefits that we could offer already. I’d get shot if anyone knew that I told you this… but to be honest with you, you’re better off joining the Vault Seekers. Don’t get me wrong, I love the work I do for the Scriptorium… but If I was a proper seeker… yeah, I’d join the Vault Seekers. There’s plenty of people in that department without an actual ‘seeker’ skill, but those who do have one are treated very well.” Papyrus said.


    “Huh… I’ll keep that in mind.” Gio said.


    After Papyrus had left, Gio took a few moments to organize his thoughts before setting off to attend his afternoon appointment.


    _____


    The dungeon seal at the heart of the Manse was gleaming in the afternoon sunshine. Although the sky was only visible from a hole many hundreds of feet in the sky, The crystalline walls of the heart of the school reflected the sunlight very well, creating dazzling patterns all over the stone tablet upon which rested a very intricate silver table.


    Baphelus handed Gio a bound leaflet.


    “What’s this?” Gio asked his mentor.


    “Why, it’s dungeon homework, of course.” Baphelus mocked.


    “Master… you can’t be serious.” Gio begged.


    The lich bellowed out a cruel laugh.


    “Drink your tea, silly boy.” Baphelus responded.


    Gio sipped at his tea. Whatever today’s tea was, it certainly wasn’t sweet enough to cut through the bitterness that Gio was feeling.


    Gio looked off to the side, past the glowing symbols that surrounded his mentor’s table. On a strange whim, Gio got up from the table and walked toward the edge of the stone tablet.


    Gio looked down, and saw what looked like miles of crystal wall. After some point, he couldn’t make out much besides teal light.


    “Ponderous today, aren’t we? Or perhaps just avoiding the subject?” Baphelus crowed, walking over to join him in looking over the edge.


    “I’m at peace with the fact that you’re sending me off to the dungeon with homework. It’s definitely a very… Saint Baphelus thing to do. I’m just trying to wrap my head around how I’m supposed to actually get it done while juggling everything else.” Gio replied.


    “I think you’ll manage. You haven’t even looked at what it is yet.” Baphelus responded.


    Gio walked over to the table, picking up the well-bound booklet.


    “Step one, determine what this common spell blueprint is for. Step two, scribe it with only stuff you can find in the dungeon. Step three, alter the spell-expression in the ways described on page three. Step four is optional.” Gio read.


    “For a little spoiler… it’s a combination of things we’ve been working on. It’s very conjuration-heavy work, which means mana intensive… so make sure you’re only practicing when you’re not hiding from monsters or something.” Baphelus explained.


    “Conjuration… it’s a spell that summons something?” Gio asked.


    “Well, that’s what you’re going to be figuring out, now isn’t it?” Baphelus replied.


    “Is this punishment for going to the casino or something?” Gio pleaded.


    Baphelus laughed again.


    “No, Gio. I’ve already told you that I don’t actually consider what you did to be wrong. If anything, I’m glad that the added perspective is going to make you even more cautious of your upcoming adventure. Now get out of my lair, I have to have more tea with weirder people. See you when you get back!” Baphelus said, punctuating the last part in a sing-song voice.