After everyone had checked in at the dorms and settled into their rooms, Mara gathered them again in the hallway.

“How were your rooms?” she asked, her expression bored but her voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Lance shrugged, exchanging glances with the others. “Not much to look at,” he admitted.

“Barebones,” Oliver added.

Bella crossed her arms. “Could use some personality.”

Felix nodded in agreement. “Functional, but… yeah, pretty dull.”

Mara smirked. “Yep, pretty standard. Don’t worry, though. You can add a few personal touches—rugs, a mirror, or even slap a light rune on the wall if you want. Just remember, everything gets reset after you leave, so don’t get too attached.”

“Noted,” Lance said, glancing around at the others, who seemed equally unimpressed with their rooms.

“Alright, follow me,” Mara said, her tone shifting to business. “We’ve got orientation now.”

The group followed Mara out of the dorms and back into the sprawling university grounds, eventually arriving at a large, domed building that loomed like a giant monument. Inside, the orientation hall was packed with first-year students, all nervously chatting and exchanging glances as they waited for it to begin.

Up front, standing on a raised platform, was Headmaster Elowen. His imposing figure was draped in dark, flowing robes that shimmered like liquid shadow, and his gaze was as cold as the air that seemed to hang around him. Unlike the warm, inspiring figure of authority Lance had imagined, Elowen looked stern, perhaps even a bit foreboding.

“Welcome,” the Headmaster’s voice boomed, quieting the room instantly. “To Arcanis University, where you will spend the next several years honing your skills—or watching them wither away.”

The students shifted uncomfortably, exchanging nervous glances.

“Magic,” Elowen continued, his voice echoing in the large hall, “is power. Power comes with consequences. Some of you will excel, while others… will struggle. Those who are careless? Well, try not to kill yourselves.”

A nervous chuckle spread through the crowd, though it was more out of discomfort than actual amusement. The Headmaster's dark humor hung in the air like a cloud, making everyone shift in their seats.

Elowen raised his hands, and in an instant, the air above them shimmered as enormous illusions appeared. The images showed different areas of the university in vivid detail.

“The Library,” Elowen said, gesturing toward the illusion of endless shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. “It is divided into nine floors. First-years have access only to the first floor. To gain access to the next, you must prove your capability by casting at least a Tier 2 spell. The higher the tier you can cast, the more knowledge you will be allowed to access. If you can cast Tier 3 spells, you gain access to the third floor, and so on, up to the ninth.”

Elowen’s hand waved, and the illusion shifted to the Training Grounds. Students were shown sparring, casting spells, and practicing their abilities, while healers stood by with glowing hands, ready to assist anyone who pushed themselves too far.

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“Here, you will push your limits,” Elowen explained. “You may practice any spell or technique you wish, and if you get hurt, healers are on standby. But do not grow careless. Just because you can be healed doesn’t mean you can be reckless.”

The image of a student hurling a fireball while dodging a lightning bolt flashed in front of them, leaving Lance in awe of the intense training he would soon undergo.

Next, the illusion shifted to show the Summoning Chamber, a massive, dark room filled with glowing arcane symbols carved into the floor. The chamber was vast, its high ceilings and shadowy corners giving it a mysterious air.

“This is the Summoning Room,” Elowen said, his voice carrying a weight of importance. “Here, you will summon ancient creatures from other planes. Some will offer knowledge, others might demand a trade. It is not to be taken lightly. You will also use this room for summoning classes, should you choose that path.”

Lance’s heart raced at the thought of summoning beings from other planes. His imagination ran wild with the possibilities—what kind of creatures could he summon? What knowledge could they offer him? He could feel the excitement building, but also a sense of caution. Summoning beings from other planes wasn’t just about power; it was about respect, control, and the danger that came with it.

The illusion changed once more, this time showing the student facilities scattered across the campus. Elowen gestured toward an image of a bustling street lined with shops and stalls.

“There are several restaurants on campus if you wish to dine out,” Elowen explained. “But for those of you who prefer to cook your own meals, there are also grocery stores where you can buy fresh ingredients.” He paused, a thin smile creeping onto his face. “Of course, there is a mess hall where you can get free food. But, after a few weeks, you’ll likely get tired of it and want to prepare your own meals.”

He glanced around the hall, grinning slightly. “Trust me, I’ve seen it happen a thousand times.”

The scene shifted again, this time showing rows of laboratories and magical circles.

“Should you need specialized facilities, there are rentable alchemy labs where you can concoct your potions and other magical experiments,” Elowen continued. “And, for more advanced students, rentable summoning circles for those particularly tricky creatures or experiments. Take care when using them.”

Finally, Elowen’s expression darkened slightly, and the illusion faded. “You’ll also find many clubs and organizations on campus, for those of you who want to join something beyond your classes. Though one thing you won’t find…” He hesitated, his lips curling with disdain. “…are religious sites.”

The room fell into an awkward silence as Elowen continued, his tone dripping with subtle contempt. “Magic and divinity don’t tend to mix. We’ve found that it’s… safer, shall we say, to keep them separate.”

Lance raised an eyebrow at the distinct edge in Elowen’s voice. It was clear that the Headmaster didn’t have much respect for the divine, but the reason behind it remained a mystery.

The illusions faded, leaving only the Headmaster’s imposing presence at the front of the hall. “Your time here will test you. Some of you will rise to greatness. Others… will fall short.” His tone was grave, his gaze hard. “Welcome to Arcanis University. Let’s see if you survive.”

With that, Elowen gave a curt nod and turned, disappearing into the shadows, leaving the students buzzing with excitement, nerves, and uncertainty.

Kade let out a low whistle. “Well, that was… motivating.”

“Try not to die. Great pep talk,” Bella muttered, shaking her head.

“Very reassuring,” Felix added, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Mara sighed and rolled her eyes. “Alright, that’s the orientation. Get used to your surroundings, check out your rooms or whatever, and meet me back at the office in an hour. Then I’ll show you to your first official session.