The ancient bell of Starlight Academy tolled thirteen times on the first morning of term, which was impossible, because the bell had no clapper and had not rung in two hundred years.
Tomas Reed heard it from the dormitory stairs with his trunk in his hands and his acceptance letter — obtained, he was fairly sure, by some clerical error — getting damp in his pocket. Around him, the sons and daughters of the great magical houses went still as deer.
Thirteen tolls. The founders' number. The number carved over the gate: WHEN THE BELL SPEAKS, LISTEN.
The headmistress came out onto the steps in her own good time, looked up at the silent tower, and then — Tomas would swear to it later — looked directly at him.
"First years," she announced, "assembly. Now. Bring nothing. Leave your wands."
A girl with silver braids fell into step beside Tomas as the crowd moved. "You heard it too," she said. It was not a question. "In your head, I mean. The voice underneath the ringing."
Tomas's mouth went dry. "What voice?"
"The one," she said, "that just said your name."
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The comment section sleeps on this gem.
That last panel?? Hello??
The cliffhangers should be illegal, part 12.
That last panel?? Hello??
The worldbuilding keeps getting deeper.
That last panel?? Hello??
The dialogue in this one is so sharp.
Five stars, would lose sleep again.
Read it twice, it hits different the second time.
Thirteen tolls. THIRTEEN. I counted twice.