The next morning, after a strange mixture of nerves, excitement, and the urge to go straight back to bed again, Rin woke up.
Crowlius, who had somehow claimed her pillow overnight, squawked, "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty! Today's the big day-your first day at Aethera Academy!"
Rin groaned, pulling the blanket over her head. "Five more minutes."
"Five more minutes and your destiny will leave without you!" Crowlius declared dramatically. "Also, I ate your breakfast."
Rin shot up. "WHAT?!"
"Hey, you were taking too long. And that toast looked lonely."
After a record-breaking ten minutes of chaos—burning her toast, well, Crowlius did, putting her robe on backwards, and almost tripping over her wand—Rin finally stood in front of the mirror, ready for her first day as a student of magic.
Crowlius eyed her up and down. "Not bad, kid. You look like someone who might blow up a potion on day one."
"Gee, thanks," said Rin, flatly.
-
✨ The Road to Aethera
When they stepped out into the streets of Aerithen, Rin's eyes went wide again. Flying brooms zipped past like taxis, enchanted cats sported tiny capes, and a band of frogs were playing jazz on the corner.
Rin laughed. "This place never stops being weird, huh?"
Crowlius preened his feathers. "It's called personality. Unlike your math class."
As they made their way toward the Academy, one wrong step landed Rin on a glowing pebble that started singing opera.
"WHAT IS THAT?!" she yelped.
Crowlius sighed. "A mood stone. It sings depending on who steps on it. You must be feeling dramatic today."
"I'm feeling like throwing you in a lake," Rin muttered.
"Ah yes, the spirit of friendship," said the crow proudly.
As the gates of Aethera Academy came into view, Rin gasped. The large castle floated in the air, on shining crystal beams, while waterfalls cascaded into clouds. Flying books whizzed by, and students were everywhere—some flying, others teleporting, some chasing after their homework as it tried to escape.
"It's. magical," Rin whispered.
Crowlius grinned. "You think? Wait till you see the cafeteria - it serves food that bites back."
---
???? The Opening Ceremony
And then they entered a huge hall with glowing banners and glittering chandeliers; hundreds of students filled the seats, chatting excitedly. On the stage was an old man with a long beard which seemed to have its own wind system: Principal Glumbuckle.
He tapped his wand on the podium. "Welcome, dear students, to another wondrous year at Aethera Academy of Magic!"
A lady teacher with bright red hair immediately interrupted, shouting, "Your beard's on fire again, Principal!"
He blinked. "Ah—so it is! Just testing the alertness of my staff!"
The students burst into laughter.
Crowlius whispered, "He once set his chair on fire during a graduation speech. Called it a 'warm welcome.'"
The principal cleared his throat. "As always, Aethera prides itself on producing the finest sorcerers and sorceresses! This year we welcome new students from noble families, floral bloodlines, and those ever-talented mud bloods!"
Rin's heart thudded proudly.
He continued, "Let us also remember the heroes who built our legacy: Lady Elaria the Enchantress, Lord Valen of Stars, and, of course, Sir Alden Arclight!"
Rin stood frozen as applause filled the hall. Students clapped and teachers smiled, while whispers spread:
"Sir Alden's daughter is here, right?
"Which one is she?"
Rin slumped back into her chair. "Why does everyone know already?"
Crowlius smirked. "Welcome to fame, my dear sparkle disaster."
Just then, a loud BANG! echoed through the hall.
A chair flew backward, a banner caught fire-again-and a boy with messy silver hair stood up, grinning like a mischief-maker.
"Well, that was loud," Crowlius muttered. "And dramatic. I like him."
The boy bowed low. "Sorry, my wand sneezed."
Everyone laughed nervously except for the principal, who looked one eye twitch away from a stroke.
Rin leaned in closer to Crowlius. "Who's that?"
Crowlius lowered his voice. "That, my dear Rin, is Prince Kael: the third prince of the royal family, a very troublesome boy.
"Prince?" Rin whispered. "But—he's in a normal student seat!
"Long story," Crowlius said. "After his mom died, the King kinda. revoked his official title. Said Kael wasn't 'fit' for the royal image. But the people love him―he's funny, fearless, and his mom left him so much gold he could literally retire at sixteen. Nobles hate him, though. He calls them 'shiny snobs.'"
Rin blinked. "And he's studying here?
"Yup," Crowlius said. "Apparently the principal begged him not to. He came anyway."
The principal sighed. "Prince Kael, don't blow the chairs up this year.
Kael grinned. "No promises, old man."
The pupils laughed again, and even Rin couldn't help smiling. There was something chaotic and charming about him.
Crowlius chuckled. "Oh boy, you and him in the same school? The kingdom isn't ready."
Rin nudged him. "You think everyone here's this crazy?
"Oh, definitely," Crowlius replied proudly. "This is Aethera, where explosions are part of the curriculum."
Rin giggled softly, looking around at the glowing banners, students chattering excitedly, and floating chandeliers above her head. She could already tell it was going to be nothing like any normal school she had been to. And as the school principal tried to resume his half-interrupted, half-on-fire speech, Rin thought, This is going to be the most unforgettable year of my life. To be continued…