The Thorn of Dentonhill Read Online Free Page A

Mister Calbert, you get to fulfill the fantasy of many, many students who have passed through these halls. You have permission to blast me.”
    â€œSir?” Veranix asked.
    â€œWhatever form of magic blast or jinx you prefer, Mister Calbert. Hit me, full strength.” Veranix was still feeling tired and drained, now even more than before. He wasn’t sure how much strength he could even muster.
    â€œAre you certain, sir?” Veranix asked. “I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”
    â€œNow, Mister Calbert.”
    The students above chuckled nervously. Veranix was sure all of them were glad they weren’t down here.
    â€œAll right, Professor.” Veranix drew in the
numina
from around him. He raised his hand to release the energy, but it was already gone. Nothing happened. He tried again, but the
numina
was gone. He couldn’t make any magic.
    Professor Alimen nodded and looked up at the crowd. “As you see, the dalmatium effectively absorbs
numina
energy, making any magic all but impossible.” He took the rock away from Veranix and put it back on the table. “Thank you, Mister Calbert. Back up top, and try to stay awake.”
    Veranix slunk back up the stairs as Alimen continued the lecture.
    â€œNow, also unlike napranium, dalmatium is a hard metal, and it does not lose its properties when alloyed with iron. In fact, our city’s constabulary has special shackles for mages that are made with dalmatium. Mister Calbert has some idea now what it would be like to wear them.”
    Veranix stepped back into place next to Delmin. Every student with red and gray trim looked at him with sympathy and fear.
    â€œHow did it feel?” Delmin whispered to him.
    â€œStrange. Like I was leaking.”
    â€œTeach you to doze off in lecture,” Delmin said.
    â€œShh,” Veranix said. “I don’t want to miss any more.”
    â€œNext lecture we’ll start going over crystals,” Alimen continued. He put the rock in a small box, latching it shut. “I’ll have more samples to demonstrate at that class. Good day, all.”
    â€œMore samples?” Veranix asked Delmin. “What did that mean?”
    â€œOh, the dalmatium was the only thing he had to show today,” Delmin said, gathering his notes while other students filed out of the hall. “The other metals, napranium, theralium, and so on are too rare for him to get.”
    â€œMister Calbert!” Alimen’s voice boomed across the lecture hall. Veranix and Delmin both stopped in their tracks. Veranix turned to see Alimen approaching, arms full of boxes and charts.
    â€œYes, Professor?” Veranix held out his arms, offering to take some of the professor’s burden.
    Alimen gave him a dismissive shake of the head, refusing the help. “Please note that you have a practical course with me tomorrow at nine bells. I will demand both your punctuality and full attention.” Despite the harsh tone, Alimen’s face was cheerful and bright. “Mister Sarren, yours is at eleven bells. Though I know you need no prodding.”
    â€œWe could switch, Professor,” Veranix suggested.
    â€œAbsolutely not, Veranix,” Alimen said with a chuckle and a shake of his head. “I want to have you done with so I can enjoy the rest of my day.” He winked after this comment, and went out of the hall.
    Delmin knocked Veranix’s arm as they followed. “We could switch? Nine bells is all yours, my friend. Come on, let’s beat the crowd to lunch.”
    â€œI’m going to skip it,” Veranix said. “I need some real sleep.”
    â€œYour choice.” Delmin dashed off across the lawn to Holmwood, leaving Veranix to trudge alone to Almers Hall.
    Almers was several hundred years old, having been built when the University of Maradaine was just the Great High College of Maradaine, and Veranix was certain that very few changes had been made to the