The Tour
Miruna followed the group as they left the underground dock, moving carefully to avoid slipping on the damp stone floor. Her crutches made soft tapping noises against the stone, drawing some subtle glances from other students. Though no one seemed rude, she noticed their curiosity in the way they occasionally whispered to one another or glanced at her missing leg. Miruna kept her chin up, pretending not to notice, though it made her cheeks warm with discomfort.
As they stepped into the cold, crisp air outside, Miruna felt a slight sense of relief. The underground dock had been claustrophobic, and now, with the vastness of the glacier stretching before them, she could breathe more easily. The landscape was breathtaking—a mix of icy terrain, gleaming crystal structures, and paths lined with softly glowing stones. Miruna tightened her grip on her crutches and stood with the rest of her group.
A tall, regal woman with silver hair braided neatly over her shoulder and a robe with accents that shimmered like frost, stood at the front. She wore a deep blue robe that billowed slightly in the wind, her sharp eyes scanning the students with a hint of warmth.
"Welcome, first years," she began, her tone clear and steady. "I am Professor Lyara, and I will be your guide today. Crystalline Peak School of Arcane Mastery has stood for over eight centuries, nestled within the glacier of Lumina Frost, a place where magic and nature blend seamlessly. Every part of this school is designed to inspire your learning and exploration. We accept forty new students every year, though transfer students are occasionally admitted. Our curriculum is rigorous, but it is designed to bring out the best in each of you. I understand that many of you are anxious, perhaps even overwhelmed, but know that you were all chosen to be here for a reason. It is a place of great opportunity, and I trust that you will all grow here—both as students and as individuals."
Miruna listened intently, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. She noticed a few other students stealing glances at her crutches, their eyes flicking to the empty space where her left leg should have been. Miruna tried not to stiffen, but the familiar feeling of being observed too closely made her shift uncomfortably.
"Is she… missing a leg?" a girl with curly red hair whispered to her friend, her eyes wide.
"It looks like it," the friend whispered back, glancing sideways at Miruna. "I’ve never seen anyone get around so well on crutches."
Miruna stiffened slightly, feeling the familiar flush of discomfort rise to her cheeks. She kept her eyes forward, pretending not to notice. I’m used to it… they’re just curious. It’s fine.
Professor Lyara continued, oblivious to the murmurs. "The Crystalline Peak campus is a marvel of magical design, a place where nature and magic blend seamlessly. The glacier we stand upon, Lumina Frost, was chosen by our founders for its unique magical properties. Here, the air is thick with magical energy, the ice itself imbued with enchantments that make this place a perfect sanctuary for magical learning."
As they walked, the professor gestured to the paths lined with softly glowing stones. "These paths are lined with enchanted Apatite," she explained. "The Apatite is a crystal that guides students around the campus. If you ever find yourself lost or unsure of where to go, simply ask the stones for guidance, and they will show you the way."
Miruna felt a small wave of relief at that. Getting lost had been one of her bigger worries. She moved slightly slower than the others due to her crutches, but at least she wouldn’t have to worry about wandering aimlessly in this vast place.
They approached the first building, a tall, slender spire that seemed to twist toward the sky like a frozen whirlpool. The windows gleamed with a soft, golden light.
"This," Professor Lyara announced, "is the Charmspire. It is here where you will learn the art of charms—one of the most versatile and essential branches of magic. Charms are woven into the fabric of magical life and can be used for everything from simple tasks to complex enchantments. You’ll find yourself spending a good deal of time here during your first year."
Miruna looked up at the structure, impressed by its elegance. She had always admired charms, and the thought of learning them in such a magnificent place filled her with a sense of excitement. As she observed the building, she felt someone standing beside her and glanced over to see the boy she had smiled at on the boat. He was tall, with olive skin, dark hair, and striking amber eyes. He wore a deep green shirt and black slacks, looking slightly out of place among the bustling crowd of students.
He seemed hesitant, glancing at her before offering a quiet, “Hi.” His voice was soft, almost shy, but there was a warmth in his tone that made Miruna relax.
“Hi,” she replied, giving him a small smile. She wasn’t quite sure what to say next, the words sticking in her throat.
The silence between them stretched for a few moments, growing awkward. The boy shifted on his feet, clearly unsure of how to continue the conversation. After a beat, he glanced at the Charmspire and said, “I guess… we’ll be spending a lot of time here, huh?”
“Yeah,” Miruna nodded, thankful for the simple observation. “Charms seem like they’ll be fun… and useful.”
“Definitely,” He agreed, though his smile was brief and a little nervous. “I’ve read about charms… but I’ve never really gotten the chance to practice.”
“Same here,” Miruna admitted, though she didn’t elaborate. Her isolation back home had meant that practicing magic—especially offensive magic—was nearly impossible. She had done what she could, but her knowledge of charms remained mostly theoretical.
“I’m Miruna,” she said, trying to keep the conversation going.
The boy turned to her, his amber eyes wide. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before replying, "Alaric… Alaric Blackwood." He offered a shy smile. "It’s nice to meet you."
She nodded, not sure what else to say. There was an awkward pause between them, but she didn’t mind. It was nice to have someone next to her who didn’t immediately bombard her with questions about her leg— or her brother.
They continued to move along, passing a beautiful building surrounded by lush, vibrant greenery. The building itself was a tall, glass structure, with panes that glowed softly in the dim light.
"This is the Greenhouse of Enchanted Flora," Professor Lyara said. "In this building, you will study herbology and magical plants. Within these walls are plants that do not exist anywhere else in the world—plants that sing, plants that dance, plants that can heal, and even some that can harm. You will learn to care for them and understand their unique properties."
A boy with freckles and sandy hair whispered to the student next to him, "Did you see those flowers moving?"
Miruna looked closer and saw it too—some of the plants inside were swaying gently, almost like they were dancing in place. She smiled slightly, intrigued by the idea of learning about such exotic species.
They continued down the path, passing by the Hall of Potions, its dark blue walls gleaming with a mysterious light. Steam rose from chimneys near the top, and the air smelled faintly of herbs and smoke.
"Here, in the Hall of Potions, you will master the art of potion-making and alchemy," Professor Lyara explained. "Alchemy and potions are core components of magical practice. You will start with simple draughts, but by the time you finish your studies, you’ll be able to brew potions that can heal, transform, or even protect you from harm."
Miruna couldn’t help but lean in a little, fascinated. She had been able to brew back in her tower, but had never had enough ingredients for anything more difficult than a healing balm. The idea of working in a lab with all the ingredients laid out before her filled her with a sense of eager anticipation.
They continued past the Transfiguration Tower, its high spire reaching toward the heavens like a frozen finger. The walls of the tower seemed to shimmer and change, reflecting different shapes and colors as they walked by.
"This is the Transfiguration Tower," Professor Lyara said. "One of the most challenging courses you will take here. You will learn to change the form and properties of objects, animals, and, eventually, even people. It requires focus, precision, and a deep understanding of the nature of magic."
Miruna felt a little overwhelmed. Changing people…? That’s some serious magic. She glanced at Alaric, who looked equally impressed.
"Sounds… intense," he murmured quietly, more to himself than to her.
"It does," Miruna agreed softly, nodding.
They continued on, passing a series of smaller buildings—the Arithmancy Hall, the Runes Hall, and the Enchanting Rooms. Each had its own unique architecture and aura, but Miruna was most captivated by the library. The Library of Arcane Wisdom loomed in the distance, its walls made entirely of what appeared to be solid ice, glowing from within with a warm, inviting light.
"This," Professor Lyara said, gesturing toward the library, "is the heart of our academic studies. The Library of Arcane Wisdom contains the largest collection of magical texts, manuscripts, and research materials in existence. Here, you will find knowledge that spans centuries, from the earliest forms of magic to the most recent discoveries. I expect each of you to spend considerable time here."
Miruna couldn’t take her eyes off the library. It’s perfect. She could already imagine herself sitting inside, lost in a book, the world outside fading away as she immersed herself in knowledge.
Alaric seemed to notice her interest. "You… you like books?" he asked, glancing at her curiously.
"I love them," Miruna replied, her voice more enthusiastic than she had intended. "I’ve spent most of my time reading, actually. It’s kind of my escape."
Alaric nodded, seeming to understand. "Same here. I’ve always felt more at home in books than… you know, around people."
Miruna gave him a small smile, feeling a bit more at ease. "Yeah, me too."
The group moved on, passing the Creature Stables, where large, majestic snow dragons lounged. The dragons were enormous, their scales shimmering like a frosted mirror, and their eyes sharp and intelligent.
"The snow dragons," Professor Lyara explained, "are one of the many magical creatures you will encounter here. They are gentle and tame, used for transport, protection, travel, and occasionally in magical sports. You may even have the opportunity to ride one someday."
A girl in front of Miruna gasped softly, "I’d love to ride one of those."
Miruna felt a similar thrill of excitement. She had never seen a dragon up close before, let alone one she could potentially ride.
They continued past other specialized areas—the Astronomy Tower, which seemed to reach up into the sky itself, and the Dueling Arena, a grand, open space where students practiced combat spells and defensive magic.
The professor paused briefly by the arena. "For those interested in dueling, this is where you will practice and compete. Dueling is an important skill, teaching you both offense and defense, and it’s also one of our most popular extracurricular activities."
Miruna shifted her grip on her crutches slightly, feeling a twinge of envy at the thought of dueling. She had never had the chance to practice offensive magic. Maybe I can learn here… maybe I can catch up.
As they approached the grand castle at the heart of the campus, Professor Lyara began to wrap up the tour. "The castle houses the main dining halls, staff offices, libraries, smaller classrooms, and quiet study areas. You will find it is a place of great activity, but also a place where you can find a quiet corner to read or rest."
She led them through the large wooden doors, and Miruna felt a wave of warmth wash over her. The castle's interior was even more magnificent than its exterior, with high ceilings, ornate carvings, and enchanted torches lining the walls. The enchanted ceiling reflected the bright, icy sky outside.
Professor Lyara stopped in the grand hall and turned to face the group. "Now, before we continue with the rest of the day’s events, we will have a series of health checks to ensure that you are all well and ready to begin your journey here. Follow me, and we will proceed."
Miruna felt a sense of anticipation mixed with a bit of nervousness. She took a deep breath and followed the group deeper into the castle, her crutches tapping softly against the stone floor. She noticed a few more glances her way, students curious but not unkind.
"Do you think she’ll have a hard time with all the physical stuff?" a boy with glasses whispered to his friend.
The friend shrugged. "Maybe… but she looks determined. She’ll probably figure it out."
Miruna pretended not to hear, but inside, she felt a surge of determination. I’ll figure it out. I have to.
As they continued, she glanced at Alaric, who gave her a small, encouraging smile. She felt her heart lighten a bit. Maybe this place won’t be so bad after all. Maybe I can find my way here.
They moved deeper into the castle, the magic all around them, and for the first time in a long while, Miruna felt a glimmer of hope.