Glossary

The late-Qing, early-Republic bronze mirror that Lan Yingchen's grandmother left to him by name before she died. The pattern on the back is exactly the cracked ring he sees in mid-air—and it is in no catalogue of bronze mirrors.

The academy's first lesson teaches no spellwork at all, only two words: "Seeing"—noticing what should not exist; and the "Void"—stopping for five minutes every morning. The instructor does not explain the "Void".

Before those "who can see" set foot in the academy, someone comes to them first. They call themselves arcane inspectors, and they hide behind the most ordinary of signboards—a counselling office, for instance.