History classes, my reprieve. The closest to the actual Clavis magic you get before the Liquid season. Be it a cold comfortless morning or rare moment of boredom, it never fails to quench your thirst for knowledge. With time, however, topics of discussion became burdening for the soul and mind more often than not.

That chilly Melting morning Master Girith was generous and didn’t mind our chatty demeanour and silly questions about four-component magic that could only be learned here, within these college walls. 

I still remember that moment when my classmate asked that question. The question. 

‘Master Girith, it would be great to know the true reason why the college of Clavis is the only place where four-component magic is studied. Could you please tell us?’

Master Girith didn’t answer right away. Another girl from our class reluctantly added, ‘I overheard from my aunt that there are people who are not aware of Clavis, but I don’t get how that is possible.’ She didn’t dare look up, being a very shy student. 

Our teacher let out a heavy sigh. Despite our young age, we stayed quiet, as if something important was depending on it. Seeing that everyone wanted to know, he started his story.

‘It was then, during that fateful parade of Four Moons three thousand Circles ago, carelessness of the few cost the lives of many.’ Only at that moment did I realise how serious this was really getting. The grief and sorrow in our teacher’s eyes made me wonder if he had been there in person by some twisted miracle when it happened. That would be impossible, of course, nobody lives that long.

‘Unwilling to grasp the very basics of safety measures, hungry for a feeling of might on their sorry fingertips… Given such a complex and delicate state of events, it would be challenging for an experienced mage to keep their sanity. The younger people didn’t stand a chance.’ For a moment, he seemingly got lost in his own thoughts.

A feeling of dread took me over. With all the preparation we have to undergo while learning magic, how can it still go so terribly wrong? How could it, back then? Master Girith broke the silence once again. 

‘Devious, underhanded deeds, mutilation, murder, perversion. A lot of people have gone completely insane, most of them about your age. They dared call it the Will of Clavis himself. None of them survived.’ He stopped, then inhaled, as if about to add something. No words came out. It was obvious there was more to it, but no further disclosure followed.

‘The Council of the Moons had no other choice but to forbid further practice of Clavis magic. But they did not stop at that. They had chosen to erase the very idea of the fourth moon from people’s memories. Not everybody agreed with the Council. To forget it is to abandon the possibility of learning from our collective failings. Our ancestors made it their goal to keep us from repeating the same mistake again. Thus, this college was created, three thousand Circles ago, far from civilisation. For we cannot afford to forget, cannot let it happen again. You cannot let it happen. You are the future of our true and complete magic. Please remember: safety is everything.’

Years later, I still clearly remember that morning. The lesson I learnt. Safety is everything. Only with your sanity intact and head clear are you free to create true wonders. We cannot afford to forget it, you and I.