Crystal Potential

Miruna jolted awake to the sound of a loud thud and muffled voices. Blinking rapidly, she tried to shake off the fog of sleep as her heart raced. The commotion was coming from the main part of the dormitory, where her roommates were clearly up and about. With a groggy groan, she rolled over and squinted at the clock mounted on the opposite wall. It read 6:00 AM.

She sighed, sitting up and swinging her leg over the side of the bed. Moving down the stairs she let out a yawn as she headed to her wardrobe. The cool floorboards met her bare foot as she reached for the uniform hanging neatly on the rod in one of her cabinets. With practiced ease, she pulled on a silver long-sleeve blouse and tucked it into a midnight blue sweater vest. Next came the ankle-length skirt, its soft fabric brushing her fingers as she smoothed it down. She glanced at the pair of calf-length brown boots she’d laid out the night before and grabbed the right one, carefully lacing it up before slipping into her wheelchair. She had already resolved to use it for the day; it would make navigating the sprawling campus far easier.

Rolling out of her cozy corner, Miruna found her roommates already in various states of morning chaos. Seraphina and Aurelia sat comfortably on the lounge in the middle of the common room, sipping steaming cups of tea and chatting quietly. In stark contrast, Thalia was darting around like a frantic bird, one sock on her foot and her hair half braided, the rest hanging in loose waves around her face.

“Morning,” Miruna greeted with a yawn, maneuvering her wheelchair into the room.

“Morning!” Seraphina and Aurelia chorused back. Thalia, mid-spin as she searched for something on one of the shelves, just waved distractedly.

“She’s been like this for fifteen minutes,” Aurelia said with a small smile, gesturing to Thalia’s whirlwind state. “I think she’s nervous.”

“Nervous? Excited!” Thalia corrected; her voice slightly muffled as she dug through her bag. “We’re about to start actual classes. Well, exams first, but still. The professors here teach about dragons! Can you imagine?”

Miruna chuckled as she wheeled closer. “I’d like to see the dragons, but I’m not sure I want to meet one in person just yet.”

Thalia grinned, finally finding the elusive second sock and hopping on one foot as she pulled it on. “Suit yourself. But if there’s a dragon studies class later, I’m signing up immediately.”

The four girls spent a few minutes going over their schedules for the day while Thalia finished getting ready. Their first stop was the dining hall for breakfast, followed by their initial exam in Basic Magical Theory. The room fell quiet as each girl mentally prepared for the day ahead.

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The walk to the castle was brisk but pleasant, the crisp morning air tinged with the faint smell of dew and earth. Miruna couldn’t help but marvel at the towering spires and sprawling halls of Crystalline Peak, her wheelchair gliding smoothly over the cobbled pathways. The dining hall was bustling when they arrived, with students of all years gathered at the scattered tables laden with food. The girls found an open spot and tucked into their breakfast—a hearty spread of fresh fruit, buttered toast, and porridge with honey.

Conversation was light but tinged with excitement as they discussed the exams. Seraphina, who appeared to be a planner, laid out her strategy for tackling test questions, while Aurelia expressed mild anxiety about the practical portions. Thalia, on the other hand, was brimming with enthusiasm, speculating about what sorts of spells and theories they’d be tested on.

Once breakfast was finished, they pulled out their maps to find the location of their first exam. The room for Basic Magical Theory was on the second floor of the castle, in one of the larger lecture halls. They made their way there, pausing occasionally to marvel at the ornate architecture and enchanted decorations lining the hallways. When they finally reached the room, a sign outside confirmed they were in the right place.

Inside, the hall was already filled with rows of desks, each marked with a small nameplate. The girls exchanged brief goodbyes and encouraging words before heading to their respective seats. Miruna found hers near the center, her name neatly inscribed on the plate. She adjusted her wheelchair and settled in, taking a deep breath as she tried to calm her nerves.

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At precisely 8:00 AM, a melodic chime echoed through the room, silencing the low hum of chatter. A tall, stern-looking professor with sharp features and a flowing green robe stepped onto the dais at the front of the room.

“Good morning, students,” she began, her voice crisp and commanding. “Welcome to your first day at Crystalline Peak. For the next week, this room will be the center of your academic life. All your exams will take place here. You will have a fifteen-minute break between each period. I encourage you to use that time wisely.”

She scanned the room, her gaze piercing as it landed briefly on each student. “The goal of these exams is not to intimidate you but to assess your foundational knowledge and ensure you are placed in the appropriate classes. Do your best, and remember, this is only the beginning of your journey.”

With a wave of her hand, shimmering bubbles formed around each student, isolating them from their peers. A quill and a thick test packet materialized on each desk.

“Let us begin,” the professor announced.

Miruna picked up her quill and flipped open the test packet. The first question was printed neatly at the top of the page:

Define the three primary principles of magical energy and provide an example of each in practice.

She thought for a moment, her mind racing to recall the lessons she had taught herself over the years. Carefully, she began writing, outlining the principles of focus, intention, and flow.

The second question followed:

Explain the differences between a charm and a hex, and describe a scenario in which each might be used.

Miruna’s quill moved steadily as she detailed the subtle nuances of the two spell types, her confidence growing with each line.

The third question was more challenging:

Identify three historical figures known for their contributions to magical theory and explain how their discoveries influence modern spellcasting.

She paused, tapping the quill against her chin. Names and achievements floated through her mind, and she began jotting down her response, feeling the pressure of the exam but also a sense of determination to prove herself.

The soft scratching of quills filled the room as Miruna focused intently, the weight of the week’s exams already settling on her shoulders. But for now, she pushed aside her nerves and concentrated on the task at hand.

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A chime rang through the air, soft yet firm, signaling the end of the morning’s exams. Miruna set her quill down and stretched her fingers, which were sore from writing. The shimmering bubble around her vanished, and the students began gathering their things. She wheeled herself out of the exam room, feeling both relieved and mentally drained. The hallway outside was abuzz with chatter, students eagerly discussing the tests.

As she exited, she spotted her roommates waiting for her near the large windows overlooking the courtyard. Thalia was mid-sentence, her words punctuated with wide gestures, while Seraphina and Aurelia listened, their expressions amused.

“There she is!” Thalia called out, waving enthusiastically. “How’d you do?”

“Fine, I think,” Miruna replied, steering her wheelchair closer to the group. “What about you all?”

The four of them began walking toward the dining hall.

“The Magical Theory test wasn’t too bad,” Aurelia started, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “The questions were fair, though I wasn’t expecting that essay on historical spell anomalies.”

“I blanked on that one,” Thalia admitted sheepishly. “I think I mixed up the Gorlash Incident with the Wispwood Hex. Ugh, it’s probably all wrong.”

Seraphina chuckled. “I didn’t find that part too hard. But the Reading and Comprehension section? The passage about magical ley lines had me second-guessing every answer.”

“I liked that one,” Miruna said, smiling. “Though the charms exam was more nerve-wracking. Being pulled into a separate room for the practical portion made me feel like I was on trial.”

Thalia groaned dramatically. “Don’t remind me. I barely got the unlocking charm to work! The door just creaked open—does that even count?”

Aurelia laughed softly. “I think it does. My freezing charm was more of a ‘slightly chilled’ charm. The examiner didn’t look impressed.”

“I think I did alright,” Seraphina said, shrugging. “Though I spent too much time on the written portion about wand movements. I had to rush through the last page.”

The group reached the dining hall, where the aroma of roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread filled the air. Long tables were set with a lavish spread: glazed salmon, roasted root vegetables, fluffy wild rice pilaf, and fresh fruit tarts. The girls helped themselves to generous portions and settled at a table near the tall, enchanted windows.

“This feels too fancy to be a regular lunch,” Thalia said, spearing a piece of salmon with her fork.

“It’s the first day,” Aurelia replied. “They’re probably trying to impress us.”

Miruna smiled faintly as she ate, the rich flavors of the salmon perfectly balanced with the tangy glaze. The meal was a welcome break from the mental strain of the exams. They chatted idly, Thalia recounting a humorous story about her brother’s first day at another school, before they eventually returned to the exam room for the afternoon sessions.

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The afternoon exams began with General Knowledge: History of Magic. Miruna found herself engrossed in the questions about ancient magical civilizations and key events that shaped the modern wizarding world. Next came Introduction to Magical Creatures, which had Thalia grinning from ear to ear as they walked to their assigned testing room.

Inside, each student was presented with enchanted images of various magical creatures. A sleek, translucent niffler darted across one card, while another depicted a proud hippogriff bowing. They were tasked with identifying each creature and describing its characteristics and behaviors. Miruna wrote diligently, recalling her readings on the more obscure creatures like the shimmering mooncalf and the bowtruckle.

The final exam of the afternoon was Herbology Basics. The test room was lined with tables, each holding twenty plants. A clipboard of parchment was given to each student, and they were instructed to write down everything they knew about them. Miruna moved along the row, carefully observing each specimen. Some were familiar—like the vibrant green leaves of dittany—while others were new to her. She paused at one plant that wouldn’t stop giggling, its tiny purple flowers quivering with each sound.

“Did that plant just laugh at me?” Thalia whispered, leaning toward Miruna with a conspiratorial grin.

“I think it’s laughing at all of us,” Miruna replied, stifling her own laugh.

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When the exams finally ended, the girls made their way to the dining hall once more, exhaustion evident on their faces. Dinner that evening was a creamy pasta dish topped with freshly grilled chicken, accompanied by a side of sautéed spinach and garlic bread.

“This is heaven,” Thalia declared, twirling her fork through the pasta. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was until now.”

“It’s amazing,” Aurelia agreed, savoring a bite. “The chicken is so tender.”

Seraphina nodded, but her attention was fixed on Thalia, who had launched into an animated retelling of the Magical Creatures exam.

“And did you see the picture of the dragon?” Thalia exclaimed. “It looked so real! I swear I could feel the heat of its flames. And that niffler? Adorable. I want one.”

“You’d lose all your jewelry within a day,” Seraphina teased.

As they laughed, the topic shifted to the giggling plant from the Herbology exam.

“I couldn’t take it seriously,” Thalia admitted, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. “Every time I tried to write something, it just laughed harder!”

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After dinner, the group returned to the exam room for the evening sessions: Numerology and Arithmancy followed by Magical Ethics and Laws. The former was filled with complex calculations and theories, while the latter required them to analyze scenarios and determine the ethical and legal implications of various magical actions.

By the time they returned to their dormitory, the girls were thoroughly exhausted.

“That was a day,” Seraphina said, collapsing onto the lounge.

“No kidding,” Thalia agreed, kicking off her shoes. “I think my brain is fried.”

“I don’t want to see another test packet for a month,” Aurelia groaned, rubbing her temples.

Miruna chuckled, though she felt the same. She extended her staff from her holder and whispered an incantation, setting an alarm for 5:30 AM.

“I’m meeting with Aricel tomorrow morning during breakfast,” she told her roommates. “I’ll join you all in the dining hall after.”

The girls nodded, too tired to ask further questions. They each prepared for bed in silence, the weight of the day’s work finally catching up with them. As Miruna settled into her bed, she stared at the enchanted ceiling above, the soft glow of starlight calming her thoughts. Tomorrow would bring more challenges, but for now, sleep welcomed her.