When they entered the district, they first brought their horses to a hostler Grace trusted. They were given chits for the horses, and they arranged for their supplies to be brought to the Testing House.

The Testing House was where all who wished to be students were housed until they were tested. Grace brought them directly to the building and led them inside and stopped inside the massive entry hall. The ceiling was tens of feet above them. Staircases spiralled upwards to corridors and rows of doors. Every square inch of stone was intricately carved in shapes, swirls, animals, vegetation and even monsters. It was a marvel to see.

Daniel whistled and turned in a circle, looking upward. Jasmine crashed into his chest and held him. He kissed the top of her head.

"Don't worry, little one. I'll take care of you." He felt her smile into his chest.

"Ha! I just wanted to hold you."

Grace rolled her eyes at them and walked up to the reception desk.

She rang a little bell and an office door opened. A middle-aged man stepped forward and placed small, round spectacles on the tip of his nose and squinted through them across the counter. “Yes?”

“Hello, I have four candidates to register, please."

The man looked over at them. The glasses made his eyeballs look much larger than they should. Jasmine was holding tight to Daniel, Amy was on his other side pressed up against him, and Amber was holding Amy's hand. The man sniffed. "Ah, yes. Well, we have closed registration for the day. Can you please come back tomorrow?"

Grace stared at the man for a moment. “It is only two o'clock in the afternoon. Registration is open until four. Register them please and see they have one Large room."

"One large room? See here miss, come back tomorrow."

The man turned and started to return to his office.

"Stop."

It was a simple word, but it carried a weight and authority with it.

The man stopped and turned back.

"I want you to contact Headmaster Quinten, right now."

The man sputtered. "Headmaster Quinten? I don't think so. He's a very busy man and has no time for registration issues. Come back tomorrow.

Good day."

The man turned again, and suddenly he stopped. Grace stood before him with her hands on her hips. No one had seen her move.

"I am Grace de Moroingi. Do I need to repeat myself?"

The man took two steps away from her and held a hand to his chest.

"Madame de Moroingi! I'm so sorry! Please excuse my behaviour. My eyesight is not so good these days."

Grace glared at the man. "Contact Quinten right now."

The man deflated and hurried into his office.