Chapter 7 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with the twin School Masters, Rhian and Rafal, sharing a late dinner in their study. Rafal is visibly agitated, complaining that the Storian has classified Aladdin as Good. He argues that the Pen must be wrong, since Aladdin bragged about his lamp and threatened to turn people into frogs. Rafal declares the Storian can no longer be trusted.
Rhian pushes back, reminding Rafal that the same Pen named them School Masters and keeps their world alive. He insists that if the Storian says Aladdin is Good, it must be true. The brothers trade accusations about who failed to see Aladdin's true nature, and Rafal grows angrier, smashing his plate against a bookcase. He worries that the Pen is siding with Good entirely and might want to eliminate Evil altogether.
Rhian tries to calm him, noting that the balance will work itself out. He points out that the Storian hasn't finished the tale of Peter Stumpf, a former Evil student who became a man-eating werewolf. Rafal counters that Peter Stumpf was just burned at the stake, with a dog licking his bones, so that tale offers no comfort.
Rafal then reveals his hope: if Aladdin proves himself Evil, it will rebalance the sides and prove that the brothers' own judgment was right all along. He wants to end the era of blindly trusting the Storian and instead trust in human judgment.
Rafal adds a seemingly casual remark—that it's a pity the Little Thief no longer has his lamp, since his wish would be enlightening. Rhian looks at him suspiciously. The conversation shifts to their bond of love, which keeps them young and immortal. Rafal needles Rhian about the idea that all twins know one was created better, while Rhian insists the secret that bonds them is love.
Suddenly, the Storian begins writing a new tale, much sooner than usual. The brothers watch as it paints a portrait of Aladdin holding a magic lamp, with a Snake genie unfolding in red smoke. Rhian glares at Rafal, realizing Rafal must have returned the lamp. Rafal grins and says,