The Iron Trial

Call’s narrative arc in The Iron Trial illustrates how Fate and Destiny interact with individuality and choice. As Call and his friends learn more about their roles in the magical world, Call grapples with how fate shapes his identity—and what power he has, if any, to change his future.

Call’s attendance at the Magisterium seems predestined and inevitable, alluding to his identity as the reincarnation of the infamous Makar and Enemy of Death, Constantine Madden. Call scores the lowest on the Magisterium trial; however, Master Rufus sees that Call has incredible magical power regardless. For example, he accidentally sets the red ball on fire instead of being able to reach it through climbing, levitating, or magical summoning. Furthermore, despite Alastair’s constant warnings, Call feels drawn to the Magisterium: “In that moment, despite everything his father had told Call, he wanted to go to the Magisterium. It no longer seemed dark or scary, but amazing. Like being an explorer or going to another planet” (37). Call’s pull toward the Magisterium suggests that fate is at play. At the Magisterium, Call finally fits in and finds companionship and mastery, unlike his experience of loneliness and isolation at non-magic school; the theme of Friendship and Belonging intersects here with fate and destiny, suggesting that Call has found the place he is meant to be.