Alexander followed her as she led him out of the chamber and into a long, winding corridor. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting scenes of battle and magic, their colors vibrant even in the dim light. The air was cooler here, and the silence was punctuated only by the soft echo of their footsteps.
"Tell me, Alexander," Mistress Seraphine said as they walked. "Do you still remember something about how are you chosen?"
"Nothing," Alexander admitted. "I was already here when I woke up."
Mistress Seraphine nodded, as if she had expected that answer. "Some detail or something special?"
"Special? Nothing," Alexander replied, frowning. "just a single and ornate book."
Keeping in mind the man's warning "Trust no one, and beware the Blood", Alexander did not reveal much, such as the disappearance of the stone tablet, the existence of the Shadow Library and the guardian of the academy.
"A single and ornate book?" Hearing this, her eyes flashed with a gleam. "It seems that the power in your body has been activated."
"You must learn to control it, Alexander. " Mistress Seraphine stopped and turned to face him. "magic is a living force," Mistress Seraphine explained. "It has a will of its own, and it does not easily bend to the will of others. Those who are strong enough to master it can wield incredible power, but those who are not…" She trailed off, her expression grim. "The magic consumes them, body and soul."
"What do I need to do?" Alexander asked, and nodded, trying to process everything she was telling him.
No answer, they arrived at a large wooden door at the end of the corridor. Mistress Seraphine pushed it open, revealing a small, dimly lit room. The walls were lined with shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, and a single candle burned on a wooden desk in the center of the room, casting flickering shadows on the walls.
"This will be your temporary residence," Mistress Seraphine said, gesturing to the room. "Someone will take you to the entrance exam tomorrow, which you can get a preliminary understanding of your power. "
Alexander stepped into the room, the air was thick with the scent of old parchment and ink, and the room seemed to hum with a quiet, almost imperceptible energy.
" By the way, here you will find texts that help you understand the basic information."
"Thank you," he said quietly, turning to face Mistress Seraphine.
She nodded, her expression softening slightly, turned and left the room, closing the door behind her and leaving Alexander alone in the dim light.
He took a deep breath, his mind still racing with everything he had learned. The world he had known was gone, and in its place was a world of magic, danger, and unimaginable power.
He walked over to the desk, picking up one of the ancient tomes and running his fingers over the worn leather cover. The title was written in a language he didn't recognize, but the symbols seemed to pulse with a faint, red light as he touched them.
...
The first rays of dawn filtered through the tall, narrow windows of the Academy, casting a soft, golden light over the stone corridors. Alexander Graves stood in front of one such window, his gaze lost in the distance as he tried to process everything that had happened the day before.
He had spent the night in one of the student dormitories, a small but comfortable room that overlooked the Academy's sprawling grounds. The bed, though unfamiliar, had offered a welcome respite after the overwhelming experiences of the previous day.
A knock on the door startled him from his thoughts. He turned to see a young man standing in the doorway, dressed in the standard uniform of the Academy—dark robes trimmed with silver, a simple yet elegant design that spoke of both tradition and authority. The young man had a friendly smile, his light brown hair falling into his eyes as he gave a small bow.
"Good morning," the young man said, his voice warm and welcoming. "You must be Alexander Graves, right? I'm Cedric, one of the senior students. I'm here to show you around and help you get settled in."
"Yes, that's me. Thank you, Cedric. I could definitely use some help." Alexander nodded, grateful for the guidance.
Cedric laughed, a light, easy sound. "Don't worry, you're not the first new student to feel a bit lost on their first day. The Academy can be a lot to take in, but you'll get the hang of it soon enough. Today is orientation day, so you'll have a chance to meet your fellow students and learn about the different Houses."
Alexander followed Cedric out of the dormitory and into the bustling hallways of the Academy. The corridors were filled with students, all dressed in variations of the same uniform, but each with subtle differences that hinted at their individual Houses—different colors of trim, varying designs on their robes, and distinctive insignias embroidered on their sleeves.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement, a mix of nervous energy and anticipation as students made their way to the Great Hall for the orientation ceremony.
As they walked, Cedric pointed out various landmarks within the Academy. "Over there is the main library," he said, gesturing to a large, ornate building with towering columns. "It's one of the most extensive collections of magical knowledge in the world. You'll probably be spending a lot of time there."
Alexander's thoughts briefly flashed back to his first encounter with magic in the Academy, the orb of light Mistress Seraphine had controlled with such ease. He was here to learn, to understand the power that had brought him to this world, and the library would undoubtedly play a crucial role in that journey.
They continued down a series of winding corridors, passing classrooms filled with students practicing various forms of magic. Alexander caught glimpses of fireballs being conjured, water being shaped into intricate patterns, and even one student levitating several feet off the ground while reciting an incantation.
The diversity of magical abilities on display was staggering, and Alexander felt a pang of doubt as he wondered if he would ever be able to match their skill.
"You'll find that every student here has their own unique talents," Cedric said, as if reading Alexander's thoughts. "Some are naturally gifted in elemental magic, others in alchemy, or enchantments. But everyone starts somewhere, and the Academy is the best place to discover what you're truly capable of."
They finally arrived at the entrance to the Great Hall, a massive chamber with vaulted ceilings and walls lined with banners representing the various Houses.
The room was filled with students, all gathered in groups according to their Houses, chatting excitedly as they awaited the start of the ceremony. At the far end of the hall, a raised platform held a row of ornate chairs, where the House leaders and other senior instructors were seated, watching the students with keen interest.