Edith Blythe straightened her flower-trimmed hat and strode toward the Wizard Council Hall. Her purple coat swirled around her boots as she walked. She clutched her application scroll tight in one hand. Today she would prove herself worthy of a council seat. The men inside thought women couldn't master high magic. They were wrong. The path to the hall's entrance curved past the old testing grounds. A tall pillar stood at the center, covered in orchids that bloomed even in winter. Runes carved deep into the stone glowed faint blue in the morning light. Every wizard who joined the council had to activate those ancient inscriptions. The magic required precision and raw power working together. Edith stopped before the pillar and placed her palm against the cold stone. She whispered the old words her grandmother taught her. The runes blazed bright gold, then white. Light shot up the pillar's full height. The orchids trembled and released their sweet scent into the air. Edith pulled her hand back and smiled. The council would have to listen now. She walked through the massive doors into the Grand Chamber. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting sharp light across the stone floor. Carvings covered every wall, showing the faces of wizards who had sat in judgment here for centuries. All men. Edith's boots clicked as she crossed to the center of the room. Five empty chairs waited on a raised platform ahead. The council members would arrive soon to test her. She unrolled her scroll and held it at her side. Her heart beat fast, but her hands stayed steady. This was the moment she had worked toward since she was eight years old, reading her grandmother's spell books by candlelight. The door behind the platform opened with a low creak. Five wizards in black robes filed onto the platform and took their seats. They stared down at her with blank faces. The oldest one held up a staff and struck it once against the floor. His voice filled the chamber. "You wish to join this council. First you must prove your skill in combat magic." He gestured to the far side of the room where a circular platform rose from the floor. Orchids lined its edges, their purple petals catching the light. "Step up and defend yourself." Edith tucked her scroll into her coat and walked to the platform. She climbed the three stairs and turned to face the council. One of them stood and moved toward the other side of the platform. His hands already glowed with blue fire. Edith lifted her chin and spread her fingers wide. She had trained for this her whole life. Now she would show them what a woman could do.