"Breathe in, breathe out...Just have to wait for a little bit longer." Placing a hand against her pounding chest, a girl repeated those words like a mantra, in hopes of melting the ice in her nerves. Around her, students were excitedly muttering to each other, whilst showing each other their handbooks. Equipped with golden quills and iridescent tassels, these books were personalized to every student's schedule, chosen class, and elemental attributes. Longingly gazing at them, her heart grew with bubbling anticipation. After all, where her feet stood was where millions of students first started: the Admissions Hall of Hexaneus Academy. A primeval institute where even novices would become fully-fledged magicians through its rigorous courses. Located in the center of the continent, it's become the central hub for all spellcasters alike, ranging from aspiring witches to experienced wizards.
Assigned to a designated department, each occupational class is taught in different parts of campus, known as the Four Spires: the Witches' Apothecary, the School of Wizardry, the Artificers' Atelier, and last but not least, the Amphitheater for Magicians. From learning potion-making to performing spellbinding tricks, each student was allowed to change their class once during their time here. To say that this decision would become a momentous turning point would be an understatement--more like it would pave the way for someone's entire future.
And here she was, a human raised in some desolate forest. Actually, her father would be peeved if he heard that. "The Haven of Kismet is not some forest, kiddo! It is the birthplace of our ancestors, who passed down the secret art of transformation—" And cue the three-hour-long lectures that kept her from nodding asleep.
"Hmph, Father's reaction to my acceptance was so lukewarm, I'd bet he couldn't give two nuts about it," she muttered, crossing her arms. "Still, Hexaneus Academy is much more grandiose than I anticipated..." Looking around, she saw the colossal stained glass windows that towered over her, each one inscribed with each of the Academy's past, present, and future. A day when numerous tribes waged war against each other, a time when peace was bestowed upon the land, and a wish that all civilizations would be united through an eternal alliance.
Before she clenched her fist.
"I made it this far...At least, this is my chance to gauge a better reaction from Father." She nodded resolutely until someone announced, "Aurelie Erwin to Booth No. 8. I repeat, Aurelie Erwin to Booth No. 8."
"And the first step is getting through the orientation." She nodded before making her way over.
Striding over to an intricate wooden sign, she was face to face with an elderly, bespectacled woman, who was currently viewing several documents.
"You're Ms. Aurelie, I presume?" Finally looking up, the woman fixed her glasses, examining the student before her. A young girl with ash blonde hair, inquisitive hazel-green eyes, and a simple attire of a cotton blouse, a vintage vest, and a khaki shorts. A scarlet ribbon was weaved through her silky hair, which caressed both of her shoulders. Slung over her shoulder was a traveler's leather satchel, fitted with many pouches.
"Yes, ma'am," Aurelie answered, poised.
"Interesting...You're quite different from what I envisioned," the teller answered, while adding, "I don't believe we have had many students coming from the Haven of Kismet. Especially for a location that's so remote."
"Ah...At least I was able to subvert your expectations," the girl awkwardly asked, scratching the back of her neck. "Did she mean that in a good or bad way?" she wondered.
"No need to be so stiff, my child. Many of our students do come from various regions across Hexaneus, so you'll find your place here in no time," the former assured before clearing her throat. "But this is still the first day, after all. Just treat this as an old woman's babbling." The creases on the woman's features soften, giving way to a more lighthearted expression. "But going by your name...Could it be that you're the daughter of the famous Mr. Erwin?"
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
"Erm, I think you might be looking into it too hard, ma'am. Perhaps our last names are simply a stroke of coincidence," Aurelie reluctantly answered, her hands shaking at her sides. She had seen the old newspapers that littered the cabin back home, whose edges were yellowed by time. Edward Erwin, she recalled, was the name that dominated the tabloids in days past. They say he was an inventor who built many fantastical machines, some of which included a bubble house transport, a cog-shaped civilian transport, and many others. Yet nobody has seen the inventor in public, leading to headlines being purely based on sensational speculations.
"Gigantic shadow lurks in the pipes of Crowburgh, followed by the sound of tinkering metal--"
"Mysterious benefactor sends the world's first-ever plane to soar through the skies!"
Such rumors and newspapers only amounted to hearsay, but people still attributed the name to some of the most mysterious inventions that have been created thus far. Regardless of whether they were created by the same person or not, it's become somewhat of a tall-tale myth that old witches tell.
"Oh, I see. Pardon my premature judgment, Ms. Aurelie. Seems like some things should remain a secret," the teller briefly chuckled before scanning the last of the documents. "Now all we need is your registration card, and you'll be set to go."
"R-Right..." Slipping her satchel off her shoulder, the girl hurriedly searched through the compartments, her hands rummaging each one. "I'm sure I put it here somewhere..." she thought before brushing against something furry. Its body was long, and the sudden touch sent it slithering around her palm.
"Huh?" Aurelie raised her brow, and she saw a plastic card being clamped shut between someone's paws.
"Psst, here's your card, Relly," an all-too-familiar voice said, whilst meeting the girl's surprised eyes with its beady ones.
"P-Papa?!" she exclaimed before clamping her mouth.
"Hm, is something the matter, Ms. Aurelie?" the teller asked, fixing their glasses. "If you don't have your card, then you still have an alternative option—"
"N-No, I'm fine! Thanks for asking!" Aurelie quickly answered, slapping the card onto the desk. "If that's all, then can I head to the entrance hall after this is finished?"
"Oh, of course..." The woman nodded, puzzled, as she tapped the card against a crystal ball.
"All documents have been confirmed. We thank you for your time with us, and we wish you all the best for your time here at the Hexaneus Academy. You'll find all the relevant information in this personalized handbook," the translucent sphere announced, signaled by the teller giving out the aforementioned items.
"We wish you a stellar time here, Ms. Aurelie," the woman said, bidding farewell to her.
"Thank you." After curtsying, the girl quickly strode through the hallways, her steps quickening with each heartbeat. Clutching her satchel to her chest, she looked to and fro for any onlookers, and she peered into the dark compartment.
"Papa, what are you even doing here?!" she whisper-shouted, while her eyes kept glancing back and forth from her hiding spot.
"Why, checking whether my kiddo's already gotten everything figured out! Do you know how long I've been curled up in that cramped space?" the little creature complained, and its little ears twitched indignantly. "It's not so often that I'd get the chance to leave the forest, you know?"
"Is that so...?" Appearing unconvinced, Aurelie muttered, "Sounds to me that your indifference was just a way of hiding your frenetic worries. Don't tell me you were there the last three days I've been traveling."
"And if I say yes, then you're not going to leave your poor papa out in the cold and rain, are you?" the ermine remarked, gesturing with a paw.
"Ha...Not like I have any other choice. But to think my own father would be keeping me company far off from home..." she muttered to herself before straightening her shoulders. "Fine, but you better stay put. There shouldn't be any first-years having a familiar already, so try not to attract too much attention to us," she advised as the other passerby paid wary glances her way.
"Oh, so it is true. Explains all of the birds, frogs, and other critters running around," her father noted, tilting his head from one of the satchel's pouches. Around them were students of different species and features; some of them ranging from having a long neck to others whose ears twitched atop their head. The orientation leaders, normally third and fourth years, already had the occasional animal trailing alongside them.
"Yeah...And who knew that the famous Edward Erwin was actually an ermine all along?" Aurelie murmured before throwing her satchel back on. "Only two hours left before the official orientation starts, so we have time to explore beforehand."
"Sounds like a fine idea, kiddo!" Edward agreed before dipping back into the pocket. Patting her satchel, the blond-haired girl breathed in and out one more time.
"This is it...Time to see what's in store for me. Hexaneus Academy, here I come!" The girl resolutely nodded before taking her first step into the illustrious school of magic.