The frost-kissed windows were illuminated with morning sun when Melch woke up, sitting up slowly with his mind lingering on the rules the warden had explained during last night's dinner.
The rules were clear enough: meals punctually eaten in the dining hall, a single guest is only allowed to stay for each student, absolutely no damaging dormitory property with magic and no infighting. However, the idea of credits stuck in his mind. After six months had gone by, they would need to gain enough credits to keep staying in the dorm or face relegation to the outdoor barn. A place, the warden darkly hinted that was cold, cramped and provided no magical amenities the dorms did.
Melch sighed running a hand through his hair. The weight of expectation and burden was always on his shoulders, but he did not let it deter him. Glancing across the room, he noticed a cylindrical pipe-like contraption protruding from the wall.
The pipe was a magic channel, unlike anything he'd ever seen—a smooth, metallic surface with various runes etched along its length. Last night, the warden had explained that this was how packages and letters came through within the academy. Every room in every dormitory was connected to a network of magical pipes, so things could be sent directly to your quarters.
As if on cue, the pipe gave a soft hum and then a faint glow. A capsule, roughly the size of a small box, materialized inside the translucent section of the pipe. The capsule slid gently down into the collection tray at the base clicking into place.
Curious, he approached and picked it up. The capsule was cool to the touch, its surface etched with glowing symbols that faded as he opened it. Inside, he found neatly folded uniforms in white, black and blue, along with a sleek plaque engraved with his name: Melch Vasti. A badge bearing the academy's emblem rested atop a small stack of books and beneath it was a sealed letter.
Melch looked at the plaque very closely. Etched along its edges were runes that pulsed with the warmth of his touch, glowing faintly. More than an ID, this was an object imbued with magic that seemed to carry with it innumerable applications. He laid it down delicately on his desk thinking about how much more he might need to learn regarding the mysteries at the academy.
A loud knock jolted him back into reality.
"Melch, You awake?" Leif's voice came out cheerful as ever.
Melch called out "Yeah, come in."
The door swung open and Leif strolled in, his grin as wide as ever. "Morning, genius!! Got your package, I assume?"
Melch gestured to the open capsule. "Yeah. Did yours come through the pipe too?"
Leif chuckled. "Of course. It's brilliant, isn't it? I sat there for ten minutes watching mine glow, trying to figure out how it works."
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Melch smirked. "Let me guess, you didn't figure it out."
Leif shrugged. "Hey, I'm a magician now, not an engineer. Anyway, what's the plan for today?"
"Breakfast first." Melch said grabbing his coat.
It was a very lively morning in the dining hall with students from all walks of life gathering to eat. The air buzzed with chatter about the inaugural program that would soon take place and the choices they would soon have to make.
Melch and Leif sat at one of the long tables settling on simple bread and fruit. The roasted meats and freshly baked pastries filled the air but Melch wasn't a heavy-breakfast kind of boy.
"So" a student near him started his voice easygoing "what department do you think you'll join? Medicine, yeah?"
Melch nodded. "Yeah, the Medicine Department. It's the best for alchemy and research, and it suits my purpose, too."
Another student leaned over him and said something, after that his tone softened as he asked "Valkora?"
Melch hesitated before nodding. "If there is even a small chance I'll find that cure, I must try.".
Leif leaned back, his tone lightening. “Well, guess that means I’ll need to keep an eye on you. Not that I’m joining the Medicine Department. I’d probably blow something up but I’ll be around.”
Melch chuckled. “Yeah, you’re better off sticking to magic.”
Leif grinned. “Exactly. I’m all about adventure and explosions, not mixing potions. I’ll leave the boring stuff to you.”
As they dined, their conversation was punctuated by good-natured banter as their contrasting personalities spilled over into words. Several other students joined their table introducing themselves and their aspirations. Some wanted to be the most celebrated warriors, while others sought mastery over rare magical arts. Such a diverse range of dreams made Melch only more excited for what lay ahead.
After breakfast, Leif and Melch decided to take the dormitory tour with the newly acquired plaques. The plaques became keys that opened the doors to numerous rooms and facilities. First, they came to the alchemy lab, a small room full of basic ingredients and equipment. Melch gazed at the empty shelves and old apparatus knowing that the warden didn't exaggerate when he told them that students should get credits before receiving proper facilities.
"This place has potential" Melch whispered though he looked skeptical.
Leif raised an eyebrow. "Potential? It looks like nobody's used this in decades."
Melch was ignoring that statement and was noting what he had to improve lab utility in his head.
Battle room was the next stop. Totally not impressive, an arena with dumb dummies, crumbling sparring mats. Near it was, however the training room it was pretty cool. There was enchanted targets there, obstacle courses designed to raise agility and accuracy, and plenty else in there.
“This.” Leif declared “is more my speed.” He glanced toward the battle room and added jokingly “Honestly, the park in the back is probably better for actual duels. At least it’s got space.”
Melch laughed. “You’d use any excuse to duel outside, wouldn’t you?”
Leif grinned. “Of course. Nothing beats fresh air and a cheering audience.”
Almost at noon they returned to the dormitory as preparation for the first program. Melch fetched his letter from the packet that explained an agenda of that day. That would take place in the main hall of that academy where it was supposed they were formally welcomed and got distributed in which departments they chosen.
Leif stood before the door holding in his letter with a slight raise in voice says "Must be about almost time, isn't it?"
Melch nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Together, they joined the stream of students heading toward the grand hall. The building loomed ahead, its towering spires and intricate stonework radiating an air of mystery and grandeur.
Inside, the hall was a magic spectacle. Light orbs floated above the crowd casting a warm, golden glow. Banners bearing the crest of the academy adorned the walls, their colors shifting subtly in a mesmerizing display.
The Anchor stood up to speak in the stage’s center, his presence both authoritative and inviting as he began his speech. He spoke to tradition, opportunity and the boundless potential in every student, his words filled with an aura of inspiration, weaving around them a sense of anticipation and hope.
Leif leaned over to Melch, his voice barely audible. "Think we'll make it through our first week here?
Melch smirked. "If we don't, at least we'll have each other to blame."
Leif laughed. "Here's to survival, then."
It was all Melch could do not to think that they were indeed in this together when the anchor spoke further. Their first journey within Theoder Academy had started, and their choices here now influenced whom they would become.