Crystal Potential

As Miruna stepped into the dining hall, the hum of conversation and the clinking of dishes filled the air. It was noticeably fuller than usual, and it took her a moment to realize why—the older students had joined them. Instead of the usual sea of first years, the tables were now a mix of ages, some students laughing easily with their younger peers while others kept to themselves, focused on their meals or quiet conversations. The sheer energy of the room was different, charged in a way that made her skin prickle.

As she focused on different groups of students, a faint glow flickered around them, subtle yet unmistakable. It wasn’t just candlelight or morning sunlight playing tricks on her eyes—this was something else. Magic. It shimmered like a second skin, clinging to each student in delicate, shifting hues. She had never seen magic like this before, not with her bare eyes. A strange sensation washed over her, like an itch beneath her skin, but she pushed it aside. The glow varied from person to person, some a soft, pulsing light like waves lapping against the shore, others jagged and sharp like lightning barely restrained. Colors bled into one another, swirling with every movement. Some auras drifted gently around their owners like mist, while others clung tightly, barely shifting at all.

Then, at the farthest corner of the room, her breath caught. A single table, half-hidden in the shadows, was overrun with magic so thick it was nearly impossible to see through. Unlike the soft glows around other students, this was something else entirely— wild, restless, an uncontained force pressing against the air itself. The sheer density of it made her stomach twist. The students sitting there barely spoke as if they were aware of the weight of the magic that clung to them. The flickering layers of power around them moved strangely, almost alive in their own right, twisting and curling in unnatural ways. Miruna forced herself to look away, a dull ache settling behind her eyes.

Shaken, she refocused on making her way to her usual seat. Her gaze flitted across the room, catching on certain students where the magic pulsed brighter, stronger. There were individuals whose power stood out among the rest, their magical presence crackling like barely-contained storms or flowing like molten gold. No two auras were alike, each student a unique current in the invisible sea that surrounded them all. It was overwhelming, but also mesmerizing, a glimpse into something deeper, something she was only now beginning to see.

Taking a steadying breath, she finally reached her table, pushing aside her unease as her roommates spotted her and immediately rushed to greet her.

"Miruna!" Thalia was the first to speak, her voice sharp with surprise and relief. She reached out as if to grab Miruna’s arm but hesitated, her fingers curling slightly. "What happened to you?"

"You look—" Aurelia's eyes widened as she took in Miruna’s face, her words faltering. "Different. Really different."

Seraphina didn’t hesitate. "What in the stars—your eyes! And your ears!" She leaned in, scanning Miruna’s face with an intensity that made Miruna shift uncomfortably. "You weren’t like this yesterday."

All three of them were staring now, eyes flicking from her sharper cheekbones to the pointed tips of her ears, down to the mismatched colors of her eyes. Miruna could feel their curiosity pressing in on her, thick as the magic lingering in the air. The weight of their attention made her skin prickle, and she resisted the urge to reach up and touch her face, as if that would somehow confirm what she already knew.

"I—" She stopped, unsure of what to say. It wasn’t like she had an easy answer. She could still feel the hum of magic beneath her skin, coiled in her bones like something waiting. Something awakened.

She forced a casual shrug, waving a hand dismissively. "It’s... a long story," she said, keeping her tone light. "I’ll explain later."

The three girls exchanged glances, an entire silent conversation passing between them in a matter of seconds. A crease formed between Aurelia’s brows, and Thalia bit her lip as if holding back more questions.

Then, after a brief pause, Thalia nodded. "Alright. But just so you know," she said, her voice softer now, "if you ever do want to talk about it, we’re here."

"Yeah," Aurelia agreed, her gaze still lingering on Miruna, as if trying to commit every change to memory. "You don’t have to tell us now. But whenever you’re ready."

Seraphina, ever the boldest, crossed her arms. "And if you’re not ready to talk, that’s fine. But just so you know, we’re definitely not letting this go forever." She smirked, though there was genuine warmth behind it.

Miruna let out a small breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Despite their obvious curiosity, they weren’t pushing. A tension she hadn’t even named began to unravel in her chest.

She gave them a grateful nod before shifting the conversation away from herself. "So… did I miss anything important?"

Thalia leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “We got our ranking amulets while you were gone.”
She glanced between the others, excitement flickering in her eyes. “It was actually kind of—”

“You won’t have to wait long to see,” Aurelia interrupted, her gaze shifting past Miruna’s shoulder.

Miruna turned slightly, just in time to see a woman approaching their table. She was dressed in deep navy robes with silver embroidery lining the cuffs, her steps measured and deliberate. A clipboard rested against her forearm, the edges of parchment peeking from its bindings. Though her expression was neutral, there was an air of quiet authority about her, the kind that immediately commanded attention.

As she reached their table, her sharp eyes settled on Miruna.

“Miruna Potter?”

Miruna straightened. “Yes.”

The woman gave a small nod, scanning the list on her clipboard before reaching into the satchel at her side. A moment later, she pulled out a small, ornate box—blue and silver, with swirling engravings along its edges. She held it out to Miruna.

“This is your ranking amulet,” she said, her voice even and precise. “The color indicates your standing within the levels of learning—not your rank within your class, but your current level within the school’s arcane tiers.”
Miruna took the box carefully, its cool metal surface smooth beneath her fingertips. For a brief moment, she simply held it, tracing the elegant patterns carved into the lid.

“The amulet serves as your primary identification within the academy,” the woman continued. “You’ll need it to access buildings restricted to certain levels, check books in and out of the library, and retrieve advanced documents permitted only for students of your rank and above.”

Miruna lifted her gaze, meeting the woman’s eyes. There was a quiet weight in her words, as if she was emphasizing the importance of this item beyond just an academic necessity.

“It is extremely important that you find a way to keep it with you at all times.”

Miruna nodded, tucking the box against her palm. “I understand.”

The woman hesitated for a fraction of a second before adding, “Additionally, under conditions of high stress or danger, the amulet has tracking capabilities. This is a precautionary measure for student safety, but it is only activated in specific circumstances.”

Miruna stiffened slightly at that. Tracking?

She glanced down at the box in her hands, its weight suddenly feeling different. Her mind flickered back to the tower that had been her prison—where the days blurred together in quiet solitude, where no footsteps ever climbed the stairs to check on her, no voices called her name. No one had ever tracked her then. No one had cared where she was because they had already decided she did not matter.

This was different.

It made sense, of course. A school like Crystalline Peak would have ways of ensuring student safety. But as Miruna turned the box over in her hands, a quiet confusion settled in. No one had ever needed to keep track of her before—why would they start now?

“If you have any questions,” the woman continued, her tone brisk but not unkind, “there’s a paper inside the box with additional details. Or you may ask a staff member for further clarification.”

Miruna exhaled slowly and gave a small nod. “Thank you.”

The woman returned the nod before turning to another table, her clipboard in hand.

For a moment, silence stretched between Miruna and her roommates.

Carefully, she lifted the lid of the box. Inside, nestled on a soft velvet lining, was a roughly round chunk of crystal, shining yellow against the silken pillow in the box.. The back was set in silver, smooth and polished, and as she turned it over, she saw her last name delicately etched into the metal—Potter.

Her fingers brushed over the engraving, tracing the shallow indentations. It was strange, seeing her name carved into something as if it mattered. As if she mattered enough for someone to keep track of.

Miruna was still running her fingers over the engraving on the back of the amulet when a voice cut through her thoughts.

"Well, don’t keep us in suspense!" Seraphina huffed, leaning closer. "What color did you get?"

Miruna blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before holding up the crystal. The soft yellow shimmered faintly under the dining hall’s warm light, its silver backing catching the glow from the floating lanterns above.

The girls shared a look before holding up their own amulets. Two of them gleamed with a stark white glow—Thalia and Seraphina. But Aurelia’s was different in a way that stood out immediately; instead of white, hers had a soft golden hue only alike to Miruna’s.

"White for novices," Aurelia explained, tapping her own amulet. "It’s the first rank. Pretty much all first-years get this one." She tilted her head toward Miruna. "But yours isn’t white. And neither is mine."

Miruna looked at Aurelia’s yellow amulet, then back at her own, identical in color. "So, what does that mean?"

"Acolyte," Aurelia answered simply. "One step above novice."

Miruna frowned, tilting her head. "And the rest?"

Aurelia ran through them quickly, gesturing as she spoke. "It goes from white—Novice, to yellow—Acolyte, then orange for Apprentice, green for Journeyman, blue for Master, purple for Sage, and black for Archmage."

Miruna turned her own amulet over in her palm. "So... Acolyte?"

"Looks like it," Thalia said, eyes wide. "That’s... really good for a first year."

Seraphina let out a low whistle. "I knew you were something special."

Miruna shifted under their gazes. She still wasn’t sure what any of this meant, and she didn’t particularly like the attention.

Sensing the change in atmosphere, Aurelia spoke up again. "You know what? We should celebrate. We have a free day tomorrow—let’s explore the campus."

Seraphina perked up instantly. "Now that’s an idea I can get behind."

Thalia nodded with a smile. "I think we could all use a break after everything. And we might as well see what’s out there."

Miruna glanced at her amulet one last time before closing the box and tucking it into her pocket. "Alright," she said. "Let’s do it."

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

After breakfast, the four of them stepped into the vast, open space of the main cavern, gazing in awe at the intricate stonework and glowing crystal veins that lined the towering rock and ice walls. The ceiling stretched so high above them that it was easy to forget they were underground at all. Pathways wove between buildings, and students milled about, talking and laughing as they went about their day.

As Miruna took a step forward, something caught her eye—thin, shimmering streams of light coursing through the stone beneath her feet. At first, she thought they were reflections from the glowing crystals embedded in the walls, but as she focused, she realized they pulsed rhythmically, like veins carrying lifeblood through a living thing. The currents twisted and branched beneath the pathways, weaving intricate, unseen networks beneath the school. They weren’t just light—they were magic she realized now, flowing like underground rivers, feeding the wards and enchantments that kept the cavern alive. The sight of it was mesmerizing, almost hypnotic, and she felt a strange pull in her chest, as if a whisper of that magic recognized her in return.

"This place is huge," Thalia murmured, taking it all in.

Suddenly, movement caught Miruna’s eye. A large group of older students emerged from a wide tunnel carved into the cavern wall, their voices carrying through the crisp air. Some were laughing, others engaged in quiet conversation, but all of them looked purposeful, as if they had just returned from somewhere important. The tunnel behind them loomed dark and mysterious, its entrance framed with subtle, swirling runes that flickered faintly as students passed through.

Miruna exchanged a glance with the others. Seraphina raised an eyebrow. Aurelia tilted her head, clearly curious. And Thalia? Thalia was already grinning.

“Should we?” she asked, mischief glinting in her eyes.

Aurelia hesitated. “I mean, technically, no one said we couldn’t…”

Miruna crossed her arms. “If we get in trouble or if this turns out to be dangerous, just remember—it wasn’t my idea.”

Thalia laughed and grabbed her wrist. “Noted. Now come on.”

With a shared look of excitement, they slipped toward the tunnel, stepping into the unknown.

Curious, they made their way through, the tunnel sloping gently downward. As they walked, the air became cooler, carrying the faint scent of fresh bread and burning wood.

The tunnel opened up into a second cavern, smaller than the main one but no less impressive. Stone pathways branched in all directions, leading to charming little buildings that lined the streets. Lanterns hung from posts, casting a warm, golden light over the cobblestone roads. Shopkeepers stood outside their stores, chatting with customers, while others bustled around carrying parcels or baskets filled with goods. Students hurried around, bags overflowing with new parchments and various other things.

"It’s a whole village," Aurelia whispered in awe.

"And we’re definitely exploring it," Seraphina declared, already leading the way.

They wandered through the streets, peeking into various shops. One was filled with books and enchanted scrolls, their pages glowing faintly with magic. Another displayed racks of robes and cloaks woven with shimmering thread. A small apothecary smelled of herbs and potions, glass jars lining the walls.

Eventually, the scent of food drew them toward a small booth where a woman stirred a large pot of thick, hearty soup.

"Smells amazing," Thalia said, practically drooling.

Miruna hesitated when the others moved to pay, patting her pockets. She had nothing.

Catching on, Seraphina waved her off. "Don’t even think about it. We’ve got you covered."

"But—"

"Not up for debate," Aurelia said firmly. "You’re not going hungry."

Reluctantly, Miruna accepted the meal—a steaming bread bowl filled with rich, spiced stew. She took a bite, the warmth settling deep in her stomach, and for the first time in a long while, she felt... content.

After finishing their food, they continued exploring, eventually stopping outside a jewelry and accessories shop.

"Let’s check it out," Thalia suggested, pushing open the door.

Inside, the walls were lined with delicate chains, carved gemstone rings, and finely crafted metalwork. The shopkeeper, an older man with spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose, looked up and smiled.

"First years, are you?" he asked, eyeing their uniforms.

They nodded.

"Then I imagine you’ve just received your amulets."

Miruna and the others exchanged glances before nodding again.

The man chuckled. "Thought so. I remember my own first year—keeping track of that thing was a nightmare. I offer free fittings for new students. Better to have it secure than to lose it on your first week, eh?"

That caught their attention.

Aurelia chose to have hers turned into a necklace, a delicate chain holding the yellow crystal. Thalia opted for a cuff-style bracelet, sturdy and close-fitting. Seraphina, like Aurelia, went with a necklace.

Miruna hesitated. A necklace was practical, but... she glanced down at her prosthetic leg, remembering the hidden compartment built into the calf.

After a moment, she decided. She had the amulet fitted onto a necklace but tucked it safely inside the compartment for easy access.

"Smart," the shopkeeper noted with approval.

With their amulets secured, the girls left the shop and made their way back toward the dining hall for dinner.

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

That evening, the four of them sat together in the common area of their dorm, lounging on the plush seating as they talked about the day.

"I can’t believe we found a whole village down there," Thalia said, stretching her arms over her head.

"And the food," Seraphina added, sighing in content. "That stew was amazing."

Aurelia smiled. "I think we made the right choice coming here."

Miruna listened, feeling an unfamiliar warmth settle in her chest. She had spent so many years alone, locked away, unseen. But now, sitting here, surrounded by her new roommates, she felt... different.

Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all.

With that final thought, she curled up beneath her blankets and let sleep take her.