Chapter 17 n Lorrayne's puzzled expression made Jacqueline lean over and peer into the box . " This is Jacqueline murmured , puzzled . ' Inside the box - how has an astrolabe ? No , it's impossible . It can't be an astrolabe 10 vouchers At the bottom of that sandalwood box an Aetherstone was inlaid , and the body of the box had been painted with Runes of Spatial Weave and Runes of Summoning . It served three main functions . The Aetherstone tested a student's talent direction , the Runes of Spatial Weave stored the teaching implements Jacqueline had prepared , and the Runes of Summoning could produce the implement best suited to each student's aptitude . Jacqueline wondered , ' But I only prepared Seer's Orbs and Tarot decks - how has an astrolabe turned up ? ' Her first instinct was to suspect a problem with the Runes of Summoning . " Perhaps the magic runes have loosened a bit , " Jacqueline said , closing the lid and inspecting the rune carvings , which did look somewhat dim , When Lorrayne heard that , her taut nerves eased slightly . As long as it wasn't her fault , that was a relief . Jacqueline re - energized the runes . " Alright , try again. " " All right , Professor . " Lorrayne opened the lid once more and looked in . Her heart tightened . The astrolabe shimmered with a faint green glow - matching the green tint that had crept across her own face , Jacqueline frowned , plucked the astrolabe out and tossed it aside , then examined the runes carefully again . Finding nothing wrong , she closed the box . " Try once more ." When Lorrayne opened the lid a third time , the expression on her face finally collapsed . The box was empty - there wasn't even a feather inside . Jacqueline fell silent too . She glanced at the sandalwood box , then at the unlucky student , lips moving slightly . Finally she nodded to the student behind Lorrayne , asking him to have a go . Lorrayne reluctantly stepped aside . The boy in back stepped forward , nervous that he might suffer the same misfortune . " May Lady Luck be with me , " he muttered as he opened the box - and a stack of Tarot cards appeared . got a Tarot deck , " the boy cried , delighted , and pulled them out . Now Jacqueline's look toward Lorrayne felt different . " Seeras it's not the box's fault , Jacqueline said with weight , then picked up the astrolabe and added , " Perhaps this is the will of the gods- use this , then . " Lurrayne forced a smile and took the astrolabe . Looked on the bright side , at least I produced something , right ? " Everyone in class was curious about what had happened . When they saw Lorrayne turn with a glossy green astrolabe in her hands , they burst into laughter . " Oh my God Why's she holding an astrolabe ? " " This is hilarious - did she get an astrolabe for divination ? " How does she even use it does she suck her head inside ? " The Highborn students rolled with laughter , eyes like they were looking at some freak specimen , the Lowborn students snickered under the breath but dared not laugh aloud . Lurrayne returned to her seat without expression , ignoring the taunting glances . She looked down at the astrolabie and a dozen theories flashed through her nund . Why is mine different from everyone else's ? Has someque tampered with the box to make me look foolish , or is it simply my rotten luck ? Tady Tobias wont stoop by mock a week student , the problem probably hes with myself Chapter 17 10 vouchers What mechanism determines what the box produces ? The opener's wish ? Some trait of the opener ? ' A thought began to form in Lorrayne's mind . The biggest thing that set her apart from the others was that she'd come from another world . The civilization that raised her was the Celestial civilization , and its oldest form of divination was astrolabe divination . It was likely that when the subject of divination came up , her subconscious flashed to divination - so the box produced an astrolabe . Once she realized no one had tampered with the box , Lorrayne's gaze on the astrolabe softened . She thought . ' Astrolabe is good - it symbolizes longevity ; surely this will help me live longer . As for the surrounding laughter , let them laugh ; I can't control other people's mouths . When the mockery died without any reaction from the subject , the students gradually quieted . " Done laughing ? " Jacqueline's ghostly voice drifted over the classroom . The room fell tense ; no one dared make another sound - the vast chamber was suddenly pin - drop silent . Jacqueline continued , " If you're done , we'll carry on . Now , put your hands on your implements , close your eyes , and begin to meditate . " There was no intention pressing the issue further ; everyone breathed easier and shut their eyes , waiting for her next instruction . Jacqueline went on , " You walk into the dark . It is pitch - black before you ... move forward - there is no wind , no obstacle , no end . " This is your inner world . " Let yourself stop . Relax . Slowly lift your head . " Something seems to light up in the dark . Stare at it . Follow its path . " Lorrayne closed her eyes tight . In the pitch - black space a point of light did seem to appear , flickering upward like a morning star . When she realized it was a star , the whole sky brightened . Stars arranged themselves in their positions , redrawing the star chart from the classroom walls . The firmafhent glittered with cool light . Jacqueline's voice came from nowhere . " Tell me what is that ? Don't use your mouth ; answer with your mind . " A hush and a few half - suppressed snorts rippled through the room ; many students had their mouths open mid - breath but snapped them shut at the last line , faces going bright red . Lorrayne no longer heard them . She was lost in the star map , as if swimming through the cosmos - nebulae circling her , the heavenly river flowing beneath her feet like a dazzling dream . Stars shifted and the sky reversed ; Lorrayne glimpsed the trails of star - paths - meeting , overlapping , breaking away , repeating . The star trails spun faster and faster until , at a critical point , the celestial bodies blurred away and only golden lines remained , tangled and whirling . They rotated violently and coalesced into a massive spiral of star - paths , stirring the universe around . Dizziness swept through Lorrayne . The spinning star - dial turned into a mysterious , deep - black vortex , sucking at the cosmos ; the terrifying pull felt as if it would swallow her whole . The vertigo intensified . Lorrayne fought to close her eyes , but a sharp ringing filled her ears . Space collapsed . The sense of weightlessness struck , and in that falling instant she jerked her eyes open . Shadows in the classroom swam , blinking . Lorrayne realized she was seeing double . Faeryone else was still deep in meditation , Jacqueline's voice Blowed calmly on . Watching them , it seemed meditating was effortless for others . Lorrayne thought , ' But I failed so quickly . Is my talent that poor ? " Lomayne pondered for a few seconds , then closed her eyes again . Unfortunately her bucus wouldn't come back , she couldn't return to that inner world So Lornay he sat with her eyes closed and pretended to meditate , listening to Jacqueline while tracing the star paths in her mind . 2/3 Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.