It was indeed spring—that was the season when my story began. You're probably wondering what I'm talking about. Let me explain. This is a story about many things, but above all, it's a story about Cupid stepping into my life and turning it into a fairytale. Allow me to take you on a journey through the highs and lows, the ups and downs. It all starts in the year 13XX, in the middle of April...
At a distance, a tall building overlooking a vast campus came into view. It was the one and only Hermandry School of Magic and Thought one of the first institutions to allow both women and men to study magic, and one that promoted and nourished female mages.
Our protagonist, Withney, had been selected through the gifted scholarship program. She stepped down from the public carriage in front of the enormous campus, wide-eyed and awe-struck."I can't believe I made it to Hermandry. I'm still in disbelief, even after arriving here,"said the young lady with golden hair and a touch of baby fat still softening her features. She was just 15 years old and, for the first time in her life, this far from home. It was a little scary. Her father had been adamantly against letting her go, but her mother had convinced him otherwise.
He had warned her about many things and told her to contact him immediately if anything went awry. Her father was a respected man—the head of the Winterskern Traders Union, one of the three largest merchant unions in the Evernight Empire and its neighboring countries. He had packed a variety of magical items, including many contact scrolls, into the endless backpack gifted to her by her eldest brother as a congratulatory present.
She was happy. She was determined to make her place in this academy and, by extension, in the world.
Still caught up in her dreams, she slammed into the iron gates—mistakenly thinking she had to push them open.
"Such a great start to my school year. Hopefully nobody saw that. If someone did, I'll never live it down,"she muttered, rubbing her chin in pain. Suddenly, she heard snickering behind her. As she turned around, dreading the worst—that someone had seen her and was already planning to spread rumors—she braced herself to beg for mercy.But instead, she saw a young girl with brunette hair, sharp features, and an adorable smile. It was her best friend, Maylyn!
"What are you doing here?" asked Withney shocked and absolutely dumbfounded."Surprise! You airhead. Watch where you're going, you klutz,"snickered Maylyn. After calming down, she let out a sigh of relief and teased,"I was selected into the Magical Studies Department due to my superior intellect. I kept it a surprise for you."
Withney's face twisted into a playful scowl.
"You meanie! I thought I was done for—that I'd forever be known as the girl who couldn't walk properly."Maylyn laughed again.
"Wouldn't be wrong! Anyway, let's go. And try walking properly this time, you klutz."
She pulled open the iron gates, grabbed Withney's hand, and pulled her along. It was still scary being this far from home, but now Withney wasn't alone.
She thought back—it all made sense now. Her parents must have known that Maylyn was also accepted.
As they walked together, the girls chatted excitedly about everything they had seen and experienced on the journey to Hermandry. Soon, they arrived in front of a large brown building with multiple windows and a sign above the entrance:
**Auditorium**
**1st Year**
It was time for the orientation speech, as mentioned in their acceptance letters.
Multiple boys and girls from different walks of life were gathered there. Not paying much attention to the crowd, the duo walked into the auditorium and sat down in the middle of the third row.
At Hermandry, there were several departments and fields of study, but only three were directly connected to magic.
The Magical Studies Department, which Maylyn was a part of, focused on the history and true nature of magic.
The Magical Tools Department trained students to design and build magical artifacts.
And finally, the Practical Magic Department, which Withney had been accepted into, taught the use of magic in real-world scenarios and elemental control.
The Practical Magic Department was by far the most expensive and prestigious—so much so that the other departments were sometimes seen as sub-departments. Students like Maylyn, who belonged to other departments, were rare exceptions.
As the auditorium filled, the two girls continued gossiping until, suddenly, the lights dimmed and focused on the center of the stage. An older woman, seemingly in her 40s, stepped into the spotlight and began speaking.
To everyone's surprise, her voice rang out clearly in every corner of the room.
"I welcome you to Hermandry School of Magic and Thought. I am your dean, Sxailar Mercury. You may call me Dean Mercury. From today onwards, you are all part of Hermandry's student body. I hope to see each and every one of you shine and become proud representatives of this school. I also hope to see the same number of faces four years from now when you graduate. You must start studying and practicing immediately to avoid falling behind your peers. Here at Hermandry, we provide the best of everything so you can reach your highest potential."
After several more pleasantries and explanations, Dean Mercury exited the stage, and the teachers began introducing themselves to their new students.
Withney and Maylyn sat in awe. They glanced at each other with shared excitement.
"Did you see that? That was Madam Mercury—the first female archmage after Madam Sylvia in three generations! She looks so experienced and strong in real life,"
"Of course! Who do you think I am? Dean Mercury is my childhood hero—an inspiration for every aspiring female mage. She became an archmage at 36! Most take until their 40s or 50s."
As they whispered and fangirled over their dean, the orientation came to a close.
The students were told to pick up their identity cards from their department offices and head to their dorms. Classes would begin in a week—the first week was meant for socializing, exploring the campus and the town, and getting to know their peers.
And just like that, it finally hit Withney:
She was truly at Hermandry School of Magic and Thought.
She was on her way to becoming a real mage.