The Witcher Academy, the most prestigious witch academia in all of Enchantia, brimmed with students from diverse kingdoms. Each student wielded spells as unique as fingerprints, their magical signatures setting them apart.
Asmodeus, a fresh-faced newcomer from a quiet village, stepped through the towering iron gates with hesitant steps. His dark hair fell messily over his sharp green eyes, darting nervously as he clutched his leather-bound satchel close. The sheer size of the academy overwhelmed him, the murmurs of experienced students brushing past like a storm he couldn't comprehend.
He was so lost in thought, scanning the gothic spires for any sign of the beginners' class, that he barely noticed the figure he collided with. A soft gasp escaped the girl before she steadied herself.
"Sorry! I didn't—" Asmodeus began, his cheeks flushing.
"It's fine," she interrupted with a warm smile, brushing a strand of auburn hair from her face. Her golden eyes sparkled with amusement, framed by the gentle curve of her freckled cheeks. "You look just as lost as I feel."
"First day?" he asked sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.
She nodded, clutching a map in her hands. "Belial," she offered, her voice light but steady.
"Asmodeus," he replied, his lips curving into a tentative smile.
For a moment, their awkward silence was filled with the faint hum of distant chants echoing through the stone corridors. Then Belial tilted her head, her playful smirk breaking the tension.
"Well, Asmodeus, shall we wander aimlessly together?"
His nerves eased as he let out a soft chuckle. "Lead the way… or guess the way."
Together, they strolled through the labyrinthine halls, their uncertain steps finding comfort in each other's company. Belial's laughter was bright, Asmodeus's smiles rare but genuine. Though neither admitted it, the chaos of their first day already felt a little less daunting.
After class, Asmodeus and Belial found themselves walking side by side down the wide stone path leading to the courtyard. The late afternoon sunlight bathed the academy's ancient walls in a golden glow, but the two were too engrossed in their conversation to notice.
"So, you're telling me you tried to enchant a broom, and it flew straight into a goat?" Belial laughed, her golden eyes glinting with amusement. She clutched her sides, nearly doubling over.
Asmodeus chuckled, his ears turning pink. "I didn't know the spell would work! I thought it'd just… wiggle or something," he admitted, his hands gesturing animatedly.
Belial wiped a tear from her cheek, her freckled nose scrunching as she grinned. "Well, at least you have good aim. Poor goat!"
The playful exchange settled into a comfortable silence as they reached the courtyard's central fountain. Asmodeus leaned against the cool stone edge, his emerald eyes staring into the rippling water. "You seem pretty excited about this whole magic thing," he said quietly, his voice softer now.
Belial tilted her head, studying him. "Aren't you? This place is amazing. They say the best students here get to work for kings, maybe even become legendary sorcerers." Her tone was laced with wonder, but she noticed the way Asmodeus's shoulders slumped.
He shrugged, offering a half-smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I guess I'm not like the others. I don't really… dream of that stuff."
Belial frowned, her gaze searching his face. "Then why are you here?"
Asmodeus hesitated, brushing a hand through his dark hair. "I guess… I'm just trying to figure that out."
Belial's expression softened, and she placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "Well, until you do, I'm here. We can stumble through this together, okay?"
Her sincerity made his chest tighten, and for the first time since arriving at the academy, he felt a flicker of warmth. He nodded, his smile more genuine now. "Okay."
As the fountain gurgled beside them, they shared a quiet understanding. Neither of them had all the answers, but for now, they had each other—and that was a start.