Soon more of the crystal spheres launched forward, and it became evident rather quickly that the forty feet, max, that the first orb had traveled was child's play.

I found myself watching Laliera with anticipation. Her orb wasn't the brightest, but it was close. When it launched, it seemed to roll forever before stopping at least two hundred feet away. Once again, she wasn't the farthest, but Laliera seemed proud of her performance and it again netted her 13 points as she took fifth.

"That's my girl." Opheira beamed, as Reevia took first in the Test of Will. I wasn't surprised. Spellcasters were the ones most frequently chosen by the...