Crystal Potential

The group trudged through the brightly lit cavern, the icy walls glittering faintly in the glow of the rays of sunlight streaming in through the roof. Their breaths fogged in the cold air, but the soft crunch of their footsteps on the frost-covered stone was the only sound, save for the occasional murmur of awe from a student.

Miruna’s eyes scanned the surroundings of the dormitory’s entrance as they drew closer to the towering gates. Looking closer than she had been able to before, she noticed that the wrought iron swirled into arcane patterns rippling faintly as though alive. The double gates seemed to shimmer under the icy glow of the cavern. The dark iron lattice was almost black, inlaid with faint blue etchings that pulsed gently, like a heartbeat as they twisted around.

When they passed through the gates, Miruna felt an unexpected tug, as though an invisible hand briefly brushed against her. She froze, looking around nervously, and found several others with a confused look on their faces.

The professor leading the group paused, glancing back at the students. "If you felt a slight pull as you passed through, don’t be alarmed," he said in a crisp voice. "That is the wards recognizing your magical signature. The incantation your guides used earlier allowed the wards of the Mages Quadrant to register you as students and grant you passage. From now on, you will be able to enter this section of the castle freely."

The students exchanged murmurs of curiosity, but the professor gave no further explanation, continuing down the path that led to the main castle.

As they ascended through the cavern toward the castle, Miruna fell into step with Alaric. The cold air had a way of sharpening her senses, and she was keen to learn more about the days ahead. “What happens during the first week? Do you know?” she asked, breaking the silence.

Alaric smiled faintly, his breath visible in the cold. “The first week of each semester is for testing. Every class will evaluate your progress so far—where you stand in relation to your peers. At the end of the week, there’s a board posted with everyone’s rankings.”

“Rankings?” Miruna’s interest was piqued. She had never been in an environment where magical prowess was measured against others.

“It’s a big deal here,” Alaric explained. “Everyone strives to improve their rank, but it’s not just about competition. The rankings also help the professors tailor their lessons to our strengths and weaknesses. The first week is stressful, but it’s also exciting. You get a clear sense of where you stand.”

Miruna nodded, her excitement growing. The idea of seeing her progress laid out in such a tangible way thrilled her. She wondered where she might place among her peers. By now, the castle doors were looming ahead, their ornate design blending into the icy-colored bricks making up the building. The towering doors swung open effortlessly as the professor gestured with a subtle flick of his wand. Beyond them lay the grandeur of the castle, its halls echoing with the low murmur of students and the faint hum of magic.

Before she could take in the details of the castle’s interior, Miruna was abruptly dragged away by her roommates. “You’re sitting with us,” Seraphina declared, her grip firm but playful as she steered Miruna toward the dining hall.

The dining hall took Miruna’s breath away. The space was large enough to host a ball like the ones that she knew her family had gone to, with ceilings so high they seemed to vanish into the shadows. Two of the four walls were covered in massive stained glass murals that stretched from floor to ceiling, depicting scenes from the school’s history. The colors danced as though alive, the enchanted glass moving subtly to bring the events to life. One mural showed a powerful figure standing atop a jagged glacier, her arms raised as the ice below her feet rose to form the castle itself.

“That’s Elara Frostwind,” Thalia explained as she caught Miruna’s gaze. “She founded this school centuries ago and raised the castle from the glacier with nothing but her magic. We’ll learn all about her in our history classes.”

The tables were scattered throughout the room, each covered in shimmering pale blue tablecloths. They varied in size, seating anywhere from four to twelve students. The layout was both elegant and inviting, though Miruna couldn’t help but feel slightly out of place. At their chosen table, each place setting was arranged with meticulous precision. The formal layout made her pause, her fingers hovering over the array of utensils.

Noticing her hesitation, Aurelia leaned in with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll learn all about proper etiquette in our first-year classes. But for now…” She pointed to the fork farthest from the plate. “Start from the outside and work your way in. That’s the salad fork. The butter knife goes diagonally across the bread plate to your left. Your wine glasses go on the right, though we obviously won’t need those right now. Oh! And that spoon is for dessert.” She gestured to the spoon positioned above the plate. “It’s a bit much at first, but you’ll get used to it.”

Miruna nodded, grateful for the explanation. She scanned the menu beside her plate, the elegant script listing an array of options. The dishes sounded delicious, but she wasn’t sure where to start.

“Try the smoked salmon with a light salad,” Seraphina suggested, her tone casual. “It’s one of the better choices for a first meal here.”

Miruna took her advice, pairing her meal with a simple glass of water. As the food was served, she marveled at the presentation. The salmon was perfectly cooked, its delicate aroma mingling with the freshness of the salad. The meal was simple but exquisite, a perfect reflection of the balance between practicality and refinement that seemed to define the school.

The conversation around the table shifted as they ate, moving from idle chatter to more personal stories about their lives before coming to Crystalline Peak. Miruna listened intently, feeling the first inklings of connection with her new roommates.

A sudden flurry of motion above the tables caught everyone’s attention. Papers flew through the air, gliding gracefully as they landed in front of each student. Miruna’s eyes widened as a map of the castle and her schedule for the week settled neatly onto her plate. The parchment was crisp and embossed with the school’s crest, the ink shimmering faintly in the glow of the enchanted chandeliers.

For a moment, the dining hall was filled with the sound of rustling paper as students eagerly examined their schedules. Miruna’s heart raced as she picked up hers, excitement and nerves swirling in equal measure as she unfolded the parchment with the schedule.

Weekday:
5:30 AM - 7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM: First Period
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Second Period
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Morning Break
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Third Period
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Fourth Period
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Fifth Period
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Sixth Period
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Seventh Period
8:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Eighth Period
11:00 PM: Curfew

Weekend:
6:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: first block
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Second Block
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Third Block
11:00 PM: Curfew

Behind the first page was a parchment containing the times and schedule of exams for the first week.

Weekday Schedule: Testing Periods

Monday
- First Period: Basic Magical Theory
- Second Period: Reading and Comprehension (Magical Texts)
- Third Period: Practical Spellcasting (Basic Charms)
- Fourth Period: History of Magic (General Knowledge)
- Fifth Period: Introduction to Magical Creatures
- Sixth Period: Herbology Basics (Plant Identification and Care)
- Seventh Period: Basic Numerology and Arithmancy
- Night Class: Magical Ethics and Laws

Tuesday
- First Period: Intermediate Magical Theory
- Second Period: Potions Ingredients Identification
- Third Period: Spellcasting (Defensive Magic Basics)
- Fourth Period: Wand Lore and Compatibility
- Fifth Period: Magical Geography (Familiarization with Magical Regions)
- Sixth Period: Artifacts and Relics Identification
- Seventh Period: Runes Interpretation Basics
- Night Class: Astronomy (Celestial Navigation)

Wednesday
- First Period: Applied Magical Theory (Complex Concepts)
- Second Period: Reading and Comprehension (Ancient Texts)
- Third Period: Practical Spellcasting (Intermediate Charms)
- Fourth Period: Magical History (Specialized Topics)
- Fifth Period: Magical Creature Interaction (Practical)
- Sixth Period: Herbology (Potion Ingredients Preparation)
- Seventh Period: Basic Alchemy Concepts
- Night Class: Magical Philosophy

Thursday
- First Period: Advanced Magical Theory
- Second Period: Potions Brewing (Introductory Level)
- Third Period: Spellcasting (Transfiguration Basics)
- Fourth Period: Magical Ethics (Case Studies)
- Fifth Period: Elemental Magic Basics (Earth, Air, Fire, Water)
- Sixth Period: Enchantments and Hexes Identification
- Seventh Period: Magical Defense (Shielding Spells)
- Night Class: Illusions and Glamour Magic Basics

Friday
- First Period: Magical Energy Manipulation (Theoretical)
- Second Period: Potions Brewing (Advanced Techniques)
- Third Period: Spellcasting (Practical Transfiguration)
- Fourth Period: Runes (Intermediate Applications)
- Fifth Period: Magical Creature Behavior Analysis
- Sixth Period: Herbology (Fieldwork Assessment)
- Seventh Period: Advanced Numerology and Arithmancy
- Night Class: Artifact Creation Theory

Weekend Testing Schedule

Saturday
- First Block: Dueling Assessment (Practical) – Part 1
- Second Block: Dueling Assessment (Practical) – Part 2
- Lunch: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Third Block: Results and Placement Announcements
Note: No testing is scheduled for Sunday. Students can use this time to rest, reflect, or prepare for classes based on their placement results. Class schedules will be released on Sunday for normal class days.

The enchanted parchment schedules spark a flurry of conversation at their table. Thalia and Seraphina practically vibrate with excitement as they scan the subjects listed for the week. Even Aurelia, normally reserved, smiles faintly as she studies the intricate script.

"This is going to be amazing," Thalia exclaims, her face glowing. "Look at this lineup—Care for Magical Creatures exams and classes! Do you think we’ll see dragons? Oh, I hope we do!"

Miruna sits frozen, staring at the sheer breadth of subjects and the tight scheduling laid out on the parchment before her. Her mind races as the realization of the courseload sets in. "This is… a lot," she murmurs, her voice barely audible over the chatter.

Seraphina glances up, raising an eyebrow. "A lot? What do you mean?"

Miruna shifts uncomfortably, feeling the heat rise to her face. "I mean, I knew the coursework here would be rigorous, but I didn’t expect… well, *this*," she admits, gesturing to the parchment.

For a moment, there’s silence. Then Thalia and Seraphina burst into laughter. Even Aurelia giggles behind her hand. Miruna’s stomach twists, but before she can speak, Seraphina leans forward. "Oh, no, Miruna, we’re not laughing at you!" she says quickly, her voice warm with reassurance. "It’s just—we all had the same reaction when we first saw the schedule. You’re not alone."

Thalia nods emphatically. "It looks worse than it is. The professors here are tough, sure, but they’re not cruel. Classes usually blend theory and practical work, so you’re not just sitting in lectures all day. The exams are the only time it’s all theory."

"Plus," Aurelia adds, her voice quiet but steady, "the professors let you out five to ten minutes early so you can walk to your next class. Rowan told me."

That bit of information eases the tension in Miruna’s shoulders. "Oh," she says, exhaling a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. "That… actually sounds manageable."

"Exactly!" Thalia beams, her enthusiasm seemingly endless. "And it’s not all serious, either. Between classes, breaks, and meals, you’ll find time to breathe. It’ll be fine, I promise."

They delve into a spirited discussion about the classes and exams. Thalia’s excitement about the Care for Magical Creatures tests is infectious. Even Miruna finds herself smiling at the thought of seeing dragons, though she can hardly believe it might be possible.

As the group finishes their meal, Seraphina suggests exploring the campus to map out their classes for the week. They spend the afternoon weaving through the castle’s corridors and winding staircases, noting the locations of key classrooms and lecture halls. The glowing blue etchings in the walls and occasional flicker of magical wards give the castle an ethereal quality.

When dinner time arrives, they return to the dining hall. After sitting down at the same table as they had for lunch, Miruna looks down at the menu to see various options. Looking at Thalia, she quickly chooses the same thing.

The first course is a delicate consommé garnished with fresh herbs and a swirl of cream. The second course features seared duck breast served with a red wine reduction, truffle mashed potatoes, and roasted seasonal vegetables. For dessert, they are presented with individual molten chocolate cakes, paired with a dollop of vanilla bean crème fraîche.

Midway through the meal, a folded note materializes in front of Miruna, bearing the healer Aricel’s neat handwriting. She reads it eagerly, her heart lifting at the message:

Your prosthetic will be completed in two days. Please come to the hospital wing on Tuesday during breakfast to have it fitted and adjusted.

Miruna’s hand trembles slightly as she turns the note over and writes her reply on the back:

Thank you. I’ll be there.

Following Aricel’s instructions, she whispers the incantation, “redditur mittenti” after writing the healer’s name at the top of the parchment. The note vanishes in a shimmer of light, leaving Miruna with a sense of anticipation she hasn’t felt in years.

The evening winds down as the girls walk back to their dorm, their conversation buzzing with plans and speculations about the upcoming week. Thalia insists they’ll see dragons, while Seraphina bets on hippogriffs. Aurelia chuckles quietly, amused by their energy.

Back in the room, Miruna takes a long, soothing shower before slipping into her softest pajamas. Exhaustion tugs at her, but it’s a welcome kind of tired—one born of excitement and the promise of new beginnings. As she slides into bed, the anticipation for what the next day will bring lulls her into a deep and dreamless sleep.