The princess turned the cube over in her hand. She focused on the white side. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and then tick tock tick tock. She'd managed to get the clock started.
"Very good, Anna!" I said. "Now, release control of the spirit, and let's see if the clock keeps moving."
The clock immediately stopped.
Anna dropped the cube on the table and sat back in her seat. She blew a tuft of hair from her face. "This is tough."
I nodded. "Indeed. This is usually reserved for fifth-year mages, and even they have a hard time getting it right."
"Why are you giving it to me then?" The princess picked up the cube again, glaring at the white face.
"You're far more advanced than second-year mages, Anna. None of them dare set foot in the sparring arena."
Anna smiled, "That's because I have a good teacher and a powerful focus. It would take me decades to do this on my own."
The princess stared at the clock, and soon it was ticking again.
