Chapter 15: Pell's Classification Is Revised Upward

The notification arrived on a Thursday, folded into thirds and delivered by the standard internal post — not a correction slip, not a Bureau form, but an administrative notice in cream-coloured stock with the Ministry crest embossed at the top. It appeared in the Record Room's incoming wire tray at half past nine, addressed not to Elias but to Headmaster Solent's administrative office, and it would not have crossed Elias's desk at all except that it arrived during his morning sort and the wire tray had not been divided correctly in three terms and no one had filed a report because the error was functionally useful to everyone who used it.

He read the heading before he registered what he was reading.

BUREAU OF MAGICAL TRUTH — PURITY CLASSIFICATION REVIEW DIVISION