Amber Crystal

"Hmpf, you're not too bad..."

I was wearing the same uniform as Nina, with the difference that mine was the male version. Black pants and a fitted blazer. It was strangely disconfortable. The outfit reminded me too much of the one I used to have back on Earth, as if someone had taken that design and just added a few fancier details. I even had to wear the same damn red tie.

"If I could at least get rid of this thing on my neck," I muttered, tugging at the tie to loosen it.

Nina stepped closer before I could complain more. Her fingers moved lightly along the tie, adjusting it with precision. Her face was dangerously close to mine, and I instinctively turned my face away, the warmth climbing up my cheeks.

"It's part of the rules, " she said, serious.

Nina looked like the kind of student who followed every single school rule strictly. Her uniform was impeccable, without a single wrinkle. Unlike hers, mine would be a mess in a few days. It didn't matter, though.

"Much better," Nina said, satisfied with the result.

"T-thanks," I mumbled.

After leaving the changing room, Nina guided me through the school. It was like a labyrinth, with each corridor and corner hiding a different surprise. The building was massive, bustling with students wherever I looked.

Unlike my boring school on Earth, this place had a mystical and vibrant atmosphere. School announcements appeared on the clear stone wall as students passed by, and flying papers hovered above our heads. It was like something out of a movie.

As we went up and down stairs, I peeked through the half-open doors at classes in session. Teachers wore extravagant hats and robes embroidered with glowing symbols. One of them drew formulas in the air with nothing but light, like a magical chalk. Another snapped his fingers and levitated a pile of books to the lectern. To the students around them, it was the most normal thing in the world.

Nina then led me to a smaller building by the central courtyard. It looked simple from the outside, but as soon as we stepped in, a bell chimed above our heads, and the interior was much bigger than it looked. It was like walking into an antique shop.

The place was illuminated by floating magical lanterns held in iron holders. Rows upon rows of shelves covered the walls, displaying items of all kinds: wands, staffs, amulets, rings. Each one was distinct from the others. They bore intricate carved symbols, and their color was so varied it looked like a field of flowers. There were also low tables in the center, with glass display boxes on top of them, holding polished, glistening stones.

"This is where new students come to choose their catalysts," Nina said, crossing her arms. "Everyone needs one to use in classes."

Before I could ask more, a woman appeared from behind the counter. She had gray hair tied into a bun.

"You must be the new student," she said warmly. "Welcome, I'm Aranel, responsible for the school's artifacts."

She made a gesture towards the shelves, presenting them like a grand treasure. "Every catalyst serves the same purpose: to stabilize the user's magic flow. But each one does it in its own way. The choice in the end depends on your goal, and of course, your personal taste."

We walked among the tables as Aranel explained the items on display.

Basically, every artifact had a specific purpose. Wands were popular and elegant, suitable for quick and precise casting at long range. Staffs were the scholar's favorite. They provided tremendous power and stability, but were harder to handle. And then there were the magic stones, versatile and discreet. They could be used alone or embedded in another artifact or weapon.

I got lost just looking at them. Everything seemed incredible in its own way, and the variety of options was terrifying. It was like being told to pick up a weapon without knowing how to shoot.

"A lot of people have a hard time choosing," Aranel said with a smile. My behaviour was clearly something she had seen many times before.

But unlike Aranel, Nina didn't share the same patience.

"Just pick one. Anything will work just fine," she said, raising an eyebrow.

Still, I couldn't decide. My eyes wandered the room, observing every detail of the artifacts, until I stopped by one of the glass cases on a nearby table. Inside was a smooth amber-colored stone. Unlike the others next to it, it didn't grow brightly. It only reflected a gentle, steady light.

"That's a good choice," said Aranel, noticing my interest in that. She opened the case with care and handed me the stone. To my surprise, it released a warm and comforting heat as I touched it. "Amber crystal. Balanced, good for almost every kind of magic. It's simple, yet reliable."

I hold that in the palm of my hand, thoughtful. I didn't want anything flashy like a big staff, nor flexible like a wand. Something versatile and straightforward like that crystal was the perfect choice.

"They're easy to carry around. Most students wear them as pendants or bracelets, but if you prefer, we can adapt them into other things," explained Aranel.

An idea came to mind. "I'd like a small chain."

She looked at me curiously, but didn't question it. She prepared a discreet chain and handed it to me after fitting the crystal. I took it and put it inside the inner pocket of my uniform, just like someone tucking away a pocket watch.

"Hmpf," murmured Nina, without commenting on anything further.

I thanked Aranel before we left the room. The crystal felt light and warm against my chest. The catalyst was hidden and comfortable. A great choice.

***

As we passed by another wing, a room caught my attention. It was a classroom filled with tables cluttered with colorful vials, spirals of smoke rising into the air, and students grinding up plants I had never seen before. When they mixed the powder with the glowing liquids, they fizzled, sparkled, and changed colors in an instant.

"Want to take a look?" Nina said.

"Can we?"

"Of course. As long as you stay quiet."

We slowly entered the room. The air was heavy with a crisp scent of dried herbs, burnt wood, and something like cinnamon. I almost coughed, but no one noticed.

A group of students huddled around a table, smiling in satisfaction after the liquid they were working on turned a translucent red. But the enjoyment didn’t last long. Quickly, their expressions returned to focus on the task before them.

"They're making a healing potion."

"You seem to know a lot about magic."

"Well... you could say I've seen it thousands of times before."

Despite her confident smile, there was something beneath her words that hinted at things she wasn't saying.

"About what Professor Arven said earlier... What did he mean about seeing you back?"

Nina hesitated. Her confident eyes shifted into something uncertain.

"I was just away for a while. Nothing important."

The short reply made it evident that I shouldn't push further.

We then reached the end of our tour and stopped in front of the dormitory. The place that would become my new home from that day on. I'd sleep there until I learned what I needed to understand what happened to my sister and to me.

"Thanks for everything today, really."

"It was nothing," Nina said. Her ears twitched slightly before she turned away.

Who would've thought? Me, in another world, surrounded by magic, starting something new. And, for the first time in a while, I was excited.

Still, I couldn't lose focus. I was there for only one reason. To find my sister.

I climbed the stairs to my dorm, found the door with my number, and took a deep breath before turning the knob. I knew I'd have to share the room with another student. I imagined we'd barely see each other, maybe only at night.

How wrong I was.

The first thing I saw would be marked in my memory forever.

"My love, I like you so much," said the guy, passionately kissing a scribbled drawing on the wall.

I froze.

At that moment, I knew my days in the dorm were going to be anything but normal.