Crystal Potential

The Great Hall was abuzz with excitement as Miruna and her roommates stepped through the grand double doors, the soft hum of conversation mingling with the clinking of cutlery and the occasional burst of laughter. The long, glittering ice chandeliers overhead cast a cool, ambient light, illuminating the tables already laden with a tempting array of food. But it wasn’t the food that had everyone’s attention.

“There it is,” Thalia said, pointing toward a towering column near the far end of the hall. A long piece of parchment hung from it, its edges curling slightly, displaying the rankings for the week’s trials.

“Looks like we’re not the only ones curious,” Seraphina remarked, her gaze sweeping over the sizable crowd gathered around the column. Students clustered together, some craning their necks to catch a glimpse, others whispering animatedly.

“Let’s see how long it takes to get a good look,” Aurelia said, her tone resigned but amused as they approached the back of the group.

They waited patiently, shuffling forward whenever a gap opened in the crowd. The tension in the air was palpable, each student eager to see their name on the list.

“Do you think we did okay?” Thalia asked, glancing at the others.

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Miruna replied, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.

“I’m sure we didn’t come last,” Seraphina added with a wink.

The line moved slowly, but eventually, they reached the front. Miruna’s eyes immediately scanned the parchment, the neatly inked names gleaming in the enchanted light.

The top ten names stood out clearly for all to see:

Rowan Darian
Elira Vael
Kieran Albright
Liora Fenwick
Orion Hale
Marisol Deveraux
Caspian Briar
Selene Hargrove
Aurelia Nightshade
Evander Thorne

“Aurelia!” Seraphina exclaimed, pointing excitedly. “You’re ninth!”

Aurelia blinked, her eyes wide. “Ninth?” she echoed in disbelief.

Thalia grinned and nudged her. “That’s top ten! You’re amazing!”

“I didn’t expect that,” Aurelia admitted, her voice soft but pleased.

Miruna smiled at her friend, then turned her attention to the shimmering blur beneath the visible rankings. With a faint hum of magic, her name appeared.

“Twelve,” she murmured, her heart skipping slightly.

“Twelve?” Seraphina said with a teasing smile. “Let’s see where I am.” She paused for a second before grinning. “Fourteenth,” she said with a triumphant smile. “Not bad, not bad at all.”

“Fourteenth,” she announced with a smirk. “Not bad. But Miruna, I’m coming for you.”

Thalia laughed and concentrated list next. Her rank shimmered into view for her:

“Thirteen!” she declared, beaming. “Look at that, Miruna—I’m right behind you.”

Seraphina laughed. “Looks like you’re trapped between us. You’d better watch out.”

Miruna smirked, crossing her arms. “You’re both welcome to try and catch up.”

Thalia grinned. “Oh, I’m not just catching up—I’m overtaking you. Just wait.”

The playful teasing eased the tension that had settled in Miruna’s chest. Despite her initial nerves, the friendly rivalry felt comforting.

“I think we all did great,” Aurelia said quietly, her eyes still fixed on the list. “And now we know where we stand.”

“True,” Thalia said, stretching her arms. “And tonight, we feast in celebration. Rankings or not, we survived week one.”

Seraphina clapped her hands together. “Agreed. But don’t get too comfortable, Miruna. I’ll be moving up next time.”

Miruna chuckled, the corners of her mouth lifting into a soft smile. “We’ll see about that.”

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

A soft chime echoed through the Great Hall, silencing the chatter of the gathered first-years. One of the large arched windows near the ceiling cracked open, letting in a cool gust of air. From the opening came a flurry of movement: owls, sparrows, and even rolls of parchment enchanted to float on their own. The hall filled with the rustle of wings and the faint hum of magic as the birds and scrolls began delivering their messages.

Miruna tilted her head back, marveling at the sight. The flurry of activity was mesmerizing, and for a brief moment, she forgot everything else. Her gaze followed a tawny owl as it gracefully swooped down to deposit a scroll in front of a wide-eyed student.

As she continued watching, a curious realization dawned on her. The dining hall contained only first-years. She frowned slightly, her brow furrowing. Had it been like this all week? She hadn’t noticed before. The older students must dine elsewhere—perhaps in a different hall entirely. Miruna’s thoughts were interrupted as a neatly rolled scroll of parchment, wrapped in a silver ribbon and stamped with the school’s crest, landed delicately in front of her.

Just as she reached out for it, a sudden weight slammed into her shoulder. Startled, she flinched but quickly recognized the familiar shape and soft feathers.

“Aero!” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and delight. Her kestrel let out a chirp, ruffling his feathers before settling comfortably on her shoulder.

“Couldn’t wait to see me, huh?” she murmured, stroking the bird gently. Aero tilted his head, his sharp eyes watching her intently.

Miruna turned her attention back to the scroll in front of her and carefully unwrapped the silver ribbon. As she unfurled the parchment, a smaller slip of paper fell out, fluttering down onto her plate. Frowning, she picked it up and unfolded it.

The note was written in elegant, looping handwriting:

Miruna Potter,
We at the Crystalline Peak School of Arcane Mastery have found discrepancies in your testing knowledge when reviewing your exams. Due to these inconsistencies, your class schedule requires further adjustment. Please report to the Administrative Official at the end of Dinner Block this evening for a consultation regarding your placement and curriculum.

Miruna’s heart sank slightly. Discrepancies? What did that mean? She glanced at the main parchment she had unrolled and saw, to her dismay, that it bore only a single line of text at the top:

To Be Decided.

“What in the world?” she muttered under her breath.

At the table’s end, her roommates had begun discussing their schedules with excited voices.

“Look, I’ve got Practical Enchantments first thing tomorrow!” Seraphina said, waving her parchment excitedly.

“And I’m starting with Potions,” Aurelia added, her voice quiet but pleased. “That’ll be interesting.”

Thalia groaned. “Lucky you. I’ve got Arcane Theory first. It’s probably going to be all lectures.”

“What about you, Miruna?” Seraphina asked, glancing her way. “What’s your schedule look like?”

Miruna hesitated, clutching the two pieces of parchment. “Well…” She unfolded the smaller slip and held it up. “I don’t have a schedule yet.”

“What?” Thalia leaned over, frowning. “Why not?”

“Apparently, there were some discrepancies in my test results,” Miruna explained, her tone measured. “I have to meet with someone tonight to sort it out.”

The three girls exchanged puzzled looks.

“Discrepancies?” Seraphina repeated. “That’s odd. You did well in the dueling trial, didn’t you?”

Miruna shrugged. “I thought I did. But I guess they found something unusual.”

“Maybe it’s just a formality,” Aurelia suggested gently. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Or maybe they realized you’re way ahead of the rest of us and need a special curriculum,” Thalia joked, winking.

Miruna chuckled despite herself. “I’ll find out tomorrow, I suppose.”

Aero chirped softly, shifting on her shoulder as if sensing her unease. She reached up to stroke his feathers again, grateful for the kestrel’s calming presence.

“Well, whatever it is, we’ll back you up,” Seraphina said firmly. “Right, girls?”

“Absolutely,” Thalia agreed.

Aurelia nodded, her expression earnest. “You’ll figure it out, Miruna. And if you need help, we’ll be here.”

Miruna smiled, warmth spreading through her chest at their support. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

As the conversation shifted back to classes and upcoming assignments, Miruna glanced down at the slip of paper again. Discrepancies. The elegant handwriting seemed almost accusatory now, the words etched into her mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something more was at play, something beyond a simple mistake in her test evaluations.

She folded the note carefully and tucked it into her pocket.

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

As the last bell of dinner chimed, signaling the end of the meal, Miruna wiped her hands on the cloth napkin before placing it neatly on the table. Her friends were still discussing their schedules enthusiastically, Seraphina making exaggerated gestures as Thalia rolled her eyes and Aurelia chuckled softly. Miruna excused herself, slipping from the bench and heading toward the wide double doors of the dining hall. Before she could fully step away, Aurelia called out to her, concern lacing her voice.

"Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?" Aurelia asked, her brow furrowed slightly.

Miruna offered a reassuring smile. "I’ll be fine. It’s just a quick meeting."

Thalia crossed her arms, her lips pursed. "Alright, but you have to tell us everything when you get back. Promise?"

"Promise," Miruna said, holding up her hand as if taking an oath.

Seraphina sighed but gave her a small smile. "We’ll meet you back at the dorms later, then. Just... don’t let them keep you too long."

"I’ll be back before you know it," Miruna assured them before finally turning and making her way to the doors, the sounds of their conversation fading behind her.

The murmurs of the room faded behind her as she stepped into the grand corridor, the air cooler outside the bustling space. She was about to try and find someone to ask for directions when a figure approached from the shadows. The man was tall, dressed in the deep gray uniform of the school’s administrative staff. His sharp eyes scanned her face before he gave a curt nod.

“Miruna Potter?” he asked, his voice steady but not unkind.

She straightened instinctively. “Yes, sir.”

“Follow me,” he said, turning without waiting for a response.

Miruna trailed after him, her steps clicking softly against the smooth stone floor. They ascended the spiral staircase at the far end of the hall, the third layer of the castle sprawling above them with its arched ceilings and glowing lanterns hanging from the ceiling.

The administrator’s pace was brisk, and she had to lengthen her stride to keep up. They passed only a few students, most of whom cast curious glances in her direction before continuing on their way.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a wooden door with a brass plaque that read “Administrative Offices.” The man gestured for her to enter and gave her a measured look.

“Sit in the waiting room and remain there until your name is called. Do not wander. Understood?”

“Yes,” she replied, nodding quickly.

The man opened the door and stepped aside, letting her enter. The room was small but comfortable, with plush chairs arranged in a semicircle around a low table. A single enchanted lamp glowed warmly, casting soft light on the dark wood paneling. Miruna took a seat, folding her hands in her lap as the door clicked shut behind her.

Minutes passed in silence, her thoughts wandering as she stared at the faint patterns on the carpet. She was just beginning to wonder how long she’d be kept waiting when the door across from her opened. A boy stepped through, tall and lean, with pale blond hair and sharp blue eyes that lit up when they landed on her.

“Miruna?” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “Fancy seeing you here.”

She blinked in surprise. “Ivan?”

The mentor from her dueling exam stood before her, his confident demeanor softened with curiosity. He stepped closer, his robes swishing softly with each movement.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.

Miruna hesitated before holding up the silver-stamped note and the scroll that had arrived during dinner. “There appears to have been... some kind of issue with my exam results. I’m supposed to meet with someone to sort it out.”

Ivan’s brow furrowed as he took the note from her hand, his eyes scanning the elegant script. He moved to sit beside her, holding the parchment up to the light as he read it silently.

“Huh,” he murmured after a moment. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Miruna let out a dry laugh, leaning back against the chair. “That’s what everyone keeps saying.”

Ivan chuckled, handing the note back to her. “Well, for what it’s worth, you’re not alone. These things tend to work out. You’ll be fine, no matter what it’s about.”

“Thanks,” she said, managing a small smile.

He rose to his feet, brushing invisible dust from his robes. “I need to get going— I was just here to finalize some details for my apprenticeship this semester. I’m sure everything will turn out just fine. Don’t worry about it, okay?”

“Alright,” she agreed, watching as he gave her a friendly wave before disappearing through the main door.

The waiting room grew quiet again, the ticking of a nearby clock the only sound. Miruna’s thoughts swirled as she replayed the events of the day, the uncertainty of her schedule hanging over her like a weight. She shifted in her seat, glancing occasionally at the closed door across the room.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, and a calm voice called out, “Ms. Potter.”

Miruna stood, smoothing her dress before stepping into the office. The room was vast and opulent, with warm tones dominating the decor. Instruments and other objects of all shapes and sizes lined the walls, their polished surfaces gleaming under the soft glow of the enchanted sconces. Large cabinets stuffed with files stood in neat rows, and a faint scent of parchment and wood polish filled the air.

Her eyes were drawn to the back wall, where enormous stained glass windows cast shimmering colors across the room. The panes depicted a scene of a robed figure standing in a vast snowy field, their hands outstretched. From the frozen ground, a crystal castle began to rise, spires and towers forming in intricate detail. The light refracted through the forming structure, casting rainbows across the glass. Once the castle stood tall and complete, the figure turned, raising a wand. A wave of white light rose from the bottom of the panes, wiping the image clean before the scene began again in a flurry of snow.

In the center of it all stood a massive crystal desk, its surface reflecting the light like a pool of water. Behind the desk sat a regal figure, her presence commanding the room. The woman’s silver-white hair was draped elegantly over one shoulder, her navy robes adorned with intricate silver embellishments that caught the light with every movement. Her expression was calm, with sharp eyes observing Miruna with quiet intensity.
Miruna’s breath hitched as she took in the sight, a sense of both awe and apprehension settling over her.

“Ms. Potter,” the woman said, her voice smooth and measured. “Please, have a seat.”

Miruna hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping forward, her palms slightly damp against the fabric of her dress. She lowered herself into the chair opposite the desk, her gaze darting briefly to the woman’s folded hands.

“I understand you’ve had some questions about your results,” the woman began, her tone unwavering.

Miruna nodded, her throat suddenly dry. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this meeting would change everything.