The Mage's Forgotten Wand

Professor Kendrick's announcement cut through the usual morning combat practice chatter like a blade. "The academy is organizing an educational expedition to Study Site Seven – a controlled Wound Zone under House Blackbridge supervision."

Zeph's sensitivity immediately detected the subtle shift in her magical signature. This wasn't just another academy event. Something about the announcement had her concerned, though her corporate facade remained perfect.

"Selected students will have the opportunity to study standardized containment procedures," she continued, her scarred hands steady on her cane. "Both academic excellence and practical skill will be considered in the selection process."

```

Status Check:

[Location: Training Hall]

[Announcement: Wound Zone Expedition]

[Hidden Warning: Detected]

[Security Level: Increasing]

[Thaddeus's Interest: Peaked]

```

"A Wound Zone?" Thaddeus's words appeared slowly in the book hidden in Zeph's bag. "Now that is interesting. And potentially disastrous, given your current level of magical competence."

Students whispered excitedly about the opportunity. Wound Zones were rarely accessible to anyone below graduate level, and even then only under strict supervision. The chance to see one up close...

"The expedition will last five days," Kendrick explained. "House Blackbridge security forces will maintain a safety perimeter while students observe and analyze containment methods. Those interested should submit applications by tomorrow evening."

Raven caught Zeph's eye from across the training hall. Her premium wand moved through perfect corporate forms, but he detected worry in her usually precise movements. She'd clearly noticed something off about the announcement too.

After class, they met in their usual practice courtyard, joined by Ash who'd brought his modified detection equipment.

"Something's wrong," Raven said without preamble. "Grandmother warned me about Study Site Seven. It's not just another Wound Zone – it's where they test new containment methods."

"Indeed," Thaddeus added. "Though 'containment' might be a generous term for what the Houses do to Wound Zones. More like 'profitable suppression of natural healing processes.'"

```

Investigation Status:

[Study Site Seven: Research Needed]

[Threat Assessment: Unknown]

[Group Response: Forming]

[Information Sources: Limited]

[Risk Level: Escalating]

```

Ash's detection arrays hummed as he analyzed recent data. "Corporate security channels are showing increased activity around that sector. More than standard containment would require."

"The timing is suspicious," Raven noted. "Right after the Crimson Dawn's attack on the library? When we know they're growing bolder?"

Zeph extended his sensitivity through the academy's flows, feeling the currents of power and politics moving beneath the surface. "Professor Kendrick was trying to warn us. This isn't just an educational opportunity."

"Of course not," Thaddeus scoffed. "It's either a trap, a cover for something worse, or both. Possibly with additional layers of corporate machination thrown in for variety. The real question is: what are you going to do about it?"

The answer seemed obvious. "We have to go. If the Crimson Dawn is involved..."

"We need to be there," Raven finished. "But getting selected won't be easy. They'll want top students for something this sensitive."

"Which presents a slight problem," Thaddeus commented. "Given that one of us is supposedly struggling with basic corporate magic. Unless you've suddenly developed the ability to maintain your cover while drastically improving your standardized performance?"

But Zeph was already thinking about the application process. His sensitivity traced patterns of possibility through the natural flows, seeing how they could turn this challenge to advantage.

"What if..." he said slowly, "that's exactly what we do? Not suddenly becoming perfect, but showing just enough improvement to justify inclusion? Especially if a top student requests me as a practice partner?"

Raven caught on immediately. "It would make sense. I could claim working with a struggling student helps refine my teaching skills. Very corporate-minded approach."

"Assuming," Thaddeus added, "you can manage controlled improvement without revealing your true capabilities. Your magical subtlety still ranks somewhere between a rampaging troll and an explosion in a power matrix."

```

Plan Development:

[Cover Story: Formulating]

[Selection Strategy: Defined]

[Risk Assessment: High]

[Group Roles: Assigning]

[Thaddeus's Approval: Reluctant]

```

They spent the next hour planning. Ash would monitor corporate communications for any hint of what was really happening at Study Site Seven. Raven would ensure her application emphasized the teaching aspects of her request. And Zeph...

"Your performance needs to improve," Thaddeus instructed, "but gradually. Like a student finally grasping basic concepts, not someone hiding significant power. Think you can manage that level of control, or should we prepare for the inevitable disaster?"

"I can do it," Zeph insisted. "We need to know what's happening at that Wound Zone. If the Crimson Dawn is involved..."

"Then we're potentially walking into significant danger," Thaddeus finished. "Which, given your current magical capabilities, is rather like sending a novice swimmer to investigate sea monsters. But I suppose we don't have much choice."

The crystal spires caught afternoon light as they refined their strategy. Each had their role to play – Raven the perfect student, Ash the hidden investigator, Zeph the struggling learner showing promising improvement. But beneath their planned facades, all felt the weight of what might be coming.

"One more thing," Thaddeus added as they prepared to separate. "Wound Zones are... different. Natural flows twist in ways that defy corporate understanding. If something goes wrong out there, standardized magic won't be enough."

"Then we'll just have to make sure nothing goes wrong," Raven said, but her voice held an edge of uncertainty.

Zeph's sensitivity traced the currents of power flowing through the academy, feeling how they moved in perfect, natural patterns. Whatever waited at Study Site Seven would be different – magic torn and twisted by the Houses' attempts at control.

The question was: what else would they find there? And would they be ready for it when they did?

Above them, the crystal spires pulsed with regulated power, their light steady and controlled. But somewhere out there, a Wound Zone waited – a place where reality itself had been torn, where corruption and corporate control met in an uneasy balance.

And something told Zeph that balance was about to shift.