I looked around, taking in the grandeur of Andosa College's entrance courtyard. The courtyard was bustling with activity—students in robes of various colors, faculty members with commanding presences, and a few bonded creatures moving in tandem with their partners.
The towering gates leading to the main campus loomed ahead, engraved with intricate, ancient runes that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, the air thick with the promise of potential and power.
Father clapped his hands, drawing our attention. "Alright, you two, listen up. This is where you're officially on your own—unless, of course, you need a dramatic parental intervention, which I'm always available for." He shot us a grin, clearly teasing but with an underlying hint of genuine care.
"We'll be fine, Dad," I said, rolling my eyes but smiling. "You and Mom trained us well enough."
"Good," Caspian said, a touch more serious now. He turned to Vic, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Remember, Vic, you've got all the support you need here. Don't hesitate to use what you've learned—and don't hesitate to rely on Lyra."
Vic nodded, the gratitude in his eyes evident. "Thanks, Master. I'll do my best."
"I know you will, son," Caspian said warmly before turning back to me. "And you, Lyra…" He paused, his expression softening. "Remember what your mother said. No room for complacency. Keep pushing forward, and always—always—watch out for each other."
I nodded, the weight of his words settling in. "We will. I promise."
Caspian smiled, stepping back from us. He gave a short nod, his eyes twinkling with a mix of pride and mischief. "Alright, enough of the heartfelt speeches. Time for me to make my grand exit."
With that, he raised his hand, and the air around him shimmered with magic. Runes swirled in the air, and with a brief flash, Caspian disappeared, leaving behind only a faint pulse of mana in the space he'd occupied.
Vic exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing now that Caspian was gone. He glanced up at me, his eyes bright. "Well, here we are."
I grinned, reaching out to ruffle his hair—a gesture he promptly ducked away from, swatting at my hand. "Let's see what this place has to offer."
We made our way toward the towering gates, the runes on the archway glowing subtly as we passed beneath them. Beyond the gates, the campus unfolded in a breathtaking panorama—a mix of ancient stone structures and newer buildings seamlessly blended together, each surrounded by lush gardens and wide pathways bustling with students.
The main courtyard was expansive, with students gathered in small groups, some practicing spells, others chatting or studying under the shade of the tall trees that dotted the area.
A few professors moved between the groups, their flowing robes and confident strides making them easily distinguishable from the students.
"This place is huge," I said, my eyes scanning the surroundings. "It's a lot more… lively than I imagined."
Vic nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "There are students from all over, different species, different backgrounds. It's kind of amazing."
As we continued walking, I couldn't help but notice the diversity of the student body. There were humans, of course, some with striking features or unique clothing that hinted at their various regions of origin.
Beast kin, easily recognizable by their animalistic features—such as cat-like ears, fox tails, or wolf-like fur—moved with an agile grace that spoke of their natural physical prowess. Some of them walked alongside bonded creatures, forming an even stronger connection between nature and magic.
I also saw demon kin, their horns and unusual eye colors giving them an otherworldly look. Some had dark red or ashen skin, while others had intricate patterns that seemed almost alive, shifting subtly across their skin. They exuded a confidence that bordered on intimidating, their presence commanding respect and curiosity from those around them.
There were elves, too, with their elegant features and pointed ears, their clothing often adorned with leaves, flowers, or other natural elements that seemed to grow as part of the fabric. They walked with an air of wisdom, their eyes reflecting an understanding of magic that ran deep.
Among the crowds were also a few individuals who looked like hybrids—perhaps mixes of elves and beast kin, or even demon kin and humans. Their appearances were striking, often combining the best features of their parentage in fascinating and unexpected ways.
It was mesmerizing to see such a mix of beings, all gathered in one place, each with their own strengths, cultures, and backgrounds. It truly felt like a melting pot of potential and possibility, a place where differences were celebrated, and everyone had something unique to offer.
We continued walking, taking it all in. The sound of laughter and the crackle of spells being cast filled the air, mixing with the distant hum of conversations. It was almost overwhelming, but in a way that made me feel alive, like I was stepping into something bigger than myself.
As we rounded a corner, I suddenly caught sight of a human woman and a dog-like bonded creature in a humanoid form. They were entangled in each other, the woman pressing against the creature, her hands running across her back as their lips met in a heated kiss. The bonded creature's hands roamed her body, their intimacy on full display for anyone to see.
My face flushed, heat spreading up my neck, and I noticed Vic's cheeks were equally red. We both quickly looked away, trying to refocus on where we were headed, though the scene seemed burned into my memory. I swallowed, feeling the awkwardness settle between us.
"I guess… this really is different," Vic murmured, his voice low, clearly trying to shake off the embarrassment.
"Yeah," I agreed, my voice coming out a little more strained than I intended. "Just gotta… get used to it, I suppose."
A woman approached us, her robe adorned with intricate golden embroidery, clearly marking her as a faculty member. She had a warm smile and a commanding presence, her eyes sharp as they took us in. "New arrivals, I assume?" she asked, her voice kind but authoritative. Her gaze lingered on our flushed faces, and she chuckled softly. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Things can be… quite open around here."
"Yes, ma'am," I replied, giving a respectful nod. "Lyra and Victor Valora. Mother said someone is expecting us?."
The professor's eyes lit up with recognition, and she gave a nod. "Ah, yes, of course. You must be advanced student candidates."
She smiled warmly and continued, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Professor Charlette Tybus, one of the faculty members responsible for overseeing new students and helping them get acclimated to life here at Andosa. You might be seeing me around quite a bit, with the new school year and all."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor Tybus," Vic said politely, his previous embarrassment fading.
"Likewise," I added, smiling at her.
Professor Tybus nodded and gestured for us to follow her. "Come along, then. The Dean is expecting you."
I blinked in surprise. Mother contacted the Dean of the entire school? I thought, feeling a mix of awe and bewilderment. It seemed she truly had more influence here than I realized.
As we walked, Professor Tybus glanced over at us. "I've heard some impressive things about both of you—Lyra, your combat skills, and Victor, your magical aptitude. It's not often we get students with your level of experience, especially at your age."
"Thank you, Professor," I replied. "We've had quite a bit of… preparation, you could say."
Professor Tybus smiled knowingly. "So I've heard. I must say, it's refreshing to see students arrive here with such dedication. Andosa is very challenging, but I think you'll both find your place here."
Vic and I exchanged a quick glance, a mixture of excitement and nervousness passing between us.
We followed Professor Tybus across the bustling campus, her presence effortlessly parting the sea of students as we made our way to the Dean's office. The cobbled pathways beneath our feet seemed to pulse with the energy of countless students who had walked them before us.
We passed by towering archways covered in ivy, each one framing views of lush courtyards and gardens, with students scattered across the green, engrossed in spellbooks or practicing incantations.
Statues of ancient scholars and heroes stood tall at key points, their eyes seemingly watching our every move. The intricate detailing on their armor and robes made them look almost lifelike, as if they might spring to life at any moment to impart their wisdom.
We walked past a large fountain at the heart of the campus, its waters flowing in rhythmic arcs, sparkling under the sunlight. A group of students gathered around it, one of them practicing water manipulation—his fingers moving gracefully as streams of water twisted into elegant shapes above the fountain before splashing back down. I watched in awe, captivated by the level of control.
A few bonded creatures—some in their full beast forms and others in humanoid shapes—dotted the campus. One particularly striking pair caught my attention:
a tall elven student with long, flowing silver hair walked alongside a bonded phoenix, its feathers blazing a brilliant gold and crimson. The phoenix let out a melodic call, and I couldn't help but feel the beauty of it all.
The buildings themselves seemed to hum with power, ancient runes carved into the stones glowed faintly, resonating with the magic that filled the air.
Professor Tybus led us along a winding path lined with flowering trees, their petals fluttering down like soft pink snowflakes, adding an almost ethereal quality to our walk.
The sounds of chatter, laughter, and spells being cast seemed to blend together into a harmonious symphony. Students in colorful robes hurried to their classes, some riding on small, floating platforms while others simply walked, their eyes scanning notes or chatting animatedly with friends.
Every corner we turned revealed something new—alchemy labs where students were carefully concocting potions, a dueling arena where two young mages were sparring, their magic clashing in vibrant bursts of color, and open courtyards where mentors offered guidance to groups of attentive listeners.
Professor Tybus came to a stop in front of an ornate set of double doors. She turned to us, her expression softening. "Well, we've made it," she said, her eyes glinting with a hint of mystery. "The Dean is waiting for you both inside."
My heart pounded as I exchanged a nervous glance with Vic. This was it—the moment we had been preparing for. We stepped forward, ready to face whatever awaited us behind those doors.