Two days later, we've just left the dining hall, exhausted from yet another meal of the same uniform food. It's a weekend, but there's no respite from the standard attire or training gear. There's no in-between because, frankly, we have no idea where to even buy clothes around here. So it's uniform on weekends too... I sigh inwardly, feeling the monotony of our attire weighing on me.
As we walk, chatting casually about the day's events, suddenly the air is pierced by a cackling voice. I recognize it immediately as the vice headmaster's voice, Thaddeus Draven.
"I hope our dear first years have enjoyed their time at Tavill so far?" his voice echoes, dripping with sarcasm. "Well, you're not supposed to!" he continues, his laughter now sounding almost maniacal.
Before we can even process his words, a blindingly bright light envelops us, and everything changes. It's like we've been transported to a completely different dimension.
Tavill was already amazing before, but now? It's beyond words. The once-familiar structures around us have transformed into grand, towering edifices. I stand on the pathway, stunned, as the dining hall suddenly has more defined levels, stretching upwards to nine floors. I could have sworn it was only seven before.
As we take in the new sights, a large bird swoops past us, narrowly missing our heads. "Watch it, first years!" a voice yells from atop the bird as it disappears into the distance.
My instincts kick in, warning me of imminent danger. "Everyone, duck!" I shout, dropping down to the ground and pulling Selene with me. Ice spikes whiz through the air where we were standing just moments before, narrowly missing us. It's chaos, a literal warzone.
I tighten my grip on Selene's hand, knowing we need to get out of here, fast. We navigate through the madness, dodging random magical attacks, flying weapons, and massive creatures roaming the campus. I catch a glimpse of a girl riding a large tiger, and my mind reels at the sheer scale of what we're experiencing.
The distance to the House of Shadows seems longer now, the towers towering higher into the sky. Everything feels more intense, more dangerous. It's clear that Tavill's true nature has been revealed, and it's both exhilarating and terrifying. We need to find safety, and fast. Or atleast a place not this chaotic.
"50 merits for this information book," a man suddenly says, appearing in front of us. He's leaning casually against a large, green snake, clad in black robes that billow around him. His presence commands attention, and I can feel the weight of his gaze as he looks us over.
I raise an eyebrow, incredulous at the steep price. "50 merits? Are you insane?" I blurt out before I can stop myself.
The man chuckles, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Look, guys, it's a deal only because we're from the same house, okay? Information is power, and I bet you're feeling a bit confused right now," he says, his tone smooth and persuasive.
His snake slithers around us, circling like a predator, and I can't help but feel a sense of unease. This man is not "asking" for our merits; he's demanding them, albeit in a subtle way.
I reluctantly reach for my merit card and send him the required amount. He tosses the book to me, and I catch it with a frown.
As I take the book, he hands me a card as well. "Names Slate, 4th year, best information dealer in Tavill," he introduces himself. "Just a drop of blood on the card or 5 merits added to it, and I'll be at your service anytime."
With that, he jumps gracefully onto the back of his snake, which begins to slither towards a shadowy area under a nearby tree. In a matter of moments, both man and serpent disappear into the darkness, leaving us standing there with more questions than answers.
We eventually arrive at the House of Shadows, its imposing presence looming before us. The forest behind it seems larger and more mysterious than ever.
As we step inside, the first floor is bustling with activity. People are popping in and out of shadows, and we can hear the faint sound of hissing echoing through the air. I glance at the stairs leading up, and they seem to stretch endlessly into the darkness above.
Just as we're about to start climbing, an old lady suddenly materializes in front of the stairs. She's ghostly and translucent, with no legs to be seen. Her eyes fix on Selene and me, and without a word, she opens a swirling portal.
I look at Selene, and she nods. Hand in hand, we step through the portal, feeling a rush of cool air before finding ourselves outside our room door. The others follow behind us, one by one, appearing through the portal.
The atmosphere inside the house feels different, heavier somehow. Shadows dance along the walls, and the air is thick with an unspoken tension.
Selene and I enter first, followed closely by the others.
*
Finally away from the chaos outside, we find ourselves in the relative calm of our room. I toss the information book to Damien, who eagerly sprawls out on the floor to read it.
After a few minutes we all gather around him, intrigued by what he's discovered.
"Tavill is its own ecosystem," Damien begins, his voice filled with excitement as he pulls out a map from the book. We huddle around him, eager to learn more.
He points to the floating island of Tavill on the map. "This is the House of Shadows," he explains, tracing a path on the map. "All this time, we've only been familiar with the towers, the arena, and the hall, along with the other houses. But Tavill is actually much larger than we thought. The towers, arena, and dining hall are all much bigger than we realized."
Damien continues to explain, pointing out different areas on the map. "Outside of this circle we know, there's the residential area. This is where the professors, legacy employees like blacksmiths, and even some merchant families live. But it's not just current students; ex-students also reside here. Then there's the Tavill Credit Bureau. To keep learning, students need to pay for professors, accommodation, food, materials like weapons and ingredients. Most students end up working in Tavill long after they graduate to pay off these loans."
He points to another section of the map. "This is the market. Everything can be found here, from clothes to beast eggs. It's a bustling hub of activity."
Damien's finger moves to a mysterious tower on the map. "This tower here is the Tower of Challenges. The topmost floor belongs to the vice and headmaster. No one knows how many floors are in the tower, but students attempt it for glory, prestige, and experience."
He continues to explain various aspects of Tavill. "There's also the Student Council, made up of 13 students in their 6th year. The 7th years are rarely in the academy, as they're busy preparing their graduation presentations. Duels can occur with consent from both sides, and while formal duels are a big deal, skirmishes happen anywhere as long as you have the merits to repair any damage. Anything goes in these fights, except killing, which is the ultimate offense."
"Then there are the clubs," Damien adds. "The Security Club is popular; for a monthly fee, they take care of your security. There are also notorious clubs like the Vixens, a female-only club. If you touch a member of the Vixens, you'll have the wrath of about 60% of the female population on you. There are house-specific clubs, tower-specific clubs, merchant and mercenary clubs. You can only join one club and be a minor additional member of another. Essentially, the club you join can determine the course of your life here in Tavill."
As Damien finishes his explanation.
After a moment of silence, we all take time to absorb the wealth of knowledge Damien just shared with us. If Tavill isn't interesting, I don't know what is. The complexities and opportunities of this place are endless.
"Well, I'm sure you all know I'm not joining any clubs. We're creating one," I declare, breaking the silence.
They look at me, a mixture of surprise and anticipation in their eyes. Damien's expression seems to say, "You've grown an extra head," but he ultimately gives in with a resigned sigh.
"So, let's brainstorm club name ideas," I announce with a clap.