Rorschach, a little black unicorn, is on a field trip led by Mage Latania of the College Esoterica, in a mountainous region of Himar. In the mines, he shows off a cantrip to create "black light" to Skiree, his Eeee friend and fellow apprentice, though the special effects are a little more dazzling than expected. Deeper into the mine, Rory attracts the attention of a fire apprentice poodle (Linford) who tries to lead the Aeonian to investigate a dark tunnel. Rory refuses, and learns from a Vartan guide, Miur, about the "shadow monster" believed to have once lurked in the depths of this cavern, far below, and which was slain by the Oak Tribe (Miur's ancestors), leaving only a crystal circle as its remains.