The Rithmatist

by Brandon Sanderson

“I suspect that, with all of his attempts to divide the Rithmatists from the common folk, this will quite upset Professor Nalizar. A tragedy.”

“Parents,” he said. “The bane of every school’s existence.”

“Unicorns?” he asked sufferingly. “The unicorn is a very noble and majestic animal!” “It’s just an . . . undignified way to be defeated, particularly with them prancing about like that.” “Well,” she said, rising, “at least I don’t have any pink chalk. They won’t let us use colors until we’re juniors.”

“You’re going to . . . occupy the school?” Fitch asked.

“We’re all freaks sometimes, Melody,” he replied. “You’re just . . . well, better at it than most.”

What good is having friends if they don’t put you in mortal peril every once in a while?”

“What’s wrong with unicorns?” she demanded from behind him, her chalk sounding as it scraped the ground. “They’re a noble and—” “They’re a noble and incredibly girly animal,” Joel said. “I’ve got my masculine reputation to think of.” “Oh hush, you,” she said. “You’ll deal with unicorns—maybe some flower people and a pegasus or two—and you’ll like it. Otherwise, you can just go draw your own circle, thank you very much.”