The bustling streets of Hanoi buzzed with life as motorbikes weaved through traffic and street vendors called out their wares. Amidst the chaos, 17-year-old Duy Anh made his way through the crowd, his mind preoccupied with the upcoming national university exam. The pressure was immense; being the son of a high-ranking political family meant expectations were sky-high.
He slipped through the crowd, his handsome features attracting glances, though he hardly noticed. Duy Anh had learned to keep his emotions in check, especially his secret attraction to boys—something that was unthinkable in his social sphere. The weight of his double life often felt unbearable, but he had mastered the art of concealment.
Lost in thought, he almost didn't notice the old woman sitting on the curbside, her appearance out of place amidst the city's modern rush. Her clothes were tattered, and her eyes held a mysterious glint. She reached out as he passed by, her gnarled fingers brushing against his arm.
"Young man," she rasped, her voice oddly compelling. "You have a great destiny ahead of you."
Duy Anh paused, turning to look at her. Something about her seemed... different. "I'm sorry, I don't have any money," he said politely, trying to move on.
"It's not money I seek," she replied, her eyes boring into his. "It's you. Take this." She handed him an old, weathered envelope.
Duy Anh hesitated before accepting the envelope. "What is this?" he asked, curiosity overcoming his caution.
"Open it when the moon is high," she said cryptically. "Your true path will be revealed."
Before he could ask more, the woman vanished into the crowd, leaving Duy Anh standing there with the envelope clutched in his hand. Shaking his head, he slipped it into his pocket and continued on his way, chalking the encounter up to another oddity of city life.
That night, as the moon cast a silver glow over the city, Duy Anh sat in his room, the envelope on his desk. His curiosity got the better of him, and he carefully opened it. Inside was a letter written in an elegant script:
"Dear Duy Anh,
You have been chosen to attend the prestigious Minh Triet University of Magic, located in the hidden heart of Dalat. This is your invitation to a world beyond your imagination, where magic is real and your true potential awaits. Present yourself at the Old Quarter Fountain at midnight, and your journey will begin.
Sincerely,
Headmaster Thien Minh"
Duy Anh's heart raced as he read the letter. Magic? A hidden university? It sounded like something out of a fairy tale. But the old woman's eyes and the letter's authenticity made him believe. Could this be the escape he had longed for?
As midnight approached, he found himself at the Old Quarter Fountain, the city's noise a distant hum. The fountain, usually a simple landmark, shimmered with an ethereal light. He stepped closer, his pulse quickening with each step. Suddenly, a portal opened before him, glowing with a soft, inviting light.
Taking a deep breath, Duy Anh stepped through. He felt a rush of wind, and in the blink of an eye, he was no longer in Hanoi. He stood on the outskirts of Dalat, the cool mountain air refreshing and crisp. Before him loomed the majestic Minh Triet University of Magic, its spires reaching towards the sky, bathed in the glow of a thousand lanterns.
As he approached the grand entrance, a figure emerged from the shadows. A tall, strikingly handsome boy with piercing eyes and an air of confidence. "Welcome to Minh Triet," he said, extending a hand. "I'm Minh, the headmaster's son. It's an honor to meet you, Duy Anh."
Duy Anh shook his hand, feeling an instant connection. "Thank you. This... this is all so incredible."
Minh smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You haven't seen anything yet. Your journey has just begun."
With that, Duy Anh stepped into a world of magic, mystery, and newfound freedom, unaware of the challenges and adventures that lay ahead.