Trinity Academy

Two months later, Trinity Academy, Orientation Ceremony

It has been twenty years since the sun has vanished behind this impenetrable fog. It pains me to realize that this year, most of you will enter your adult lives having never felt the warmth of the sun on a summer day, seen the burning orange of the evening sun, or gazed upon the star-filled cosmos.

But dear students, do not mistake these gray skies for normalcy simply because they are all you have ever known! Do not grow complacent with what you have been robbed of, simply because you have become accustomed to its absence! In the past decade, Trinity Academy’s world-class researchers have made significant leaps in understanding the ancient tongue. Perhaps they hold the key to the mystery behind the fog, or even the means to vanquish it.

Perhaps the person to finally make that breakthrough is sitting among you today…

“Lady Victoria… Lady Victoria… wake up, sleepyhead…”

A violent shake jolted me awake.

“Huh?!!”

“My lady, please refrain from falling asleep during the orientation speech. It reflects poorly on yourself and your family.”

Did I fall asleep? I look out through the towering stained glass windows of the auditorium; judging from the fading light, I must have been out for at least an hour.

“It was only a quick nap… yawn… what was the speech about anyways?”

“Study hard and don’t break things.”

“Sounds like something my father would say,” I pouted, unconvinced.

Looking around, the headmaster, or whoever else had been speaking, had long since left. The other students had already packed their bags and were making their way to the exits.

“Whatever, it’s getting late, we should go.”

...

Students spilled from the auditorium onto the overcast campus like water through irrigation canals. Above us, Mount Peerless loomed, its long twilight shadow stretching across the cobblestone roads. Evening fog rolled down verdant hills, enveloping the brick campus buildings as powerful gas lamps roared to life, their warm light raging against the approaching darkness.

As we made our way to the dorms, I began to notice just how many guards were stationed around campus. They wore heavy wool coats trimmed with the red and white stripes of the academy, and carried a mix of weapons from muskets to polearms to crossbows. Those without weapons instead carried a large bookbag; compared to the measly bags of the students I saw, these guards seemed to possess quite a large spell repertoire. I wonder how they compare to mine…

“Klara… I didn’t realize there would be so many guards on campus… I was hoping to practice some spellcasting…”

“My Lady, I am sure this academy has designated facilities where you can ‘practice’ to your heart’s content.”

“I know… I mean, why does a school need so many guards anyways? And why did you say practice like that?”

“Given our proximity to Mount Peerless, there is always the risk of an attack by the Mountain Men or their possessed creations. It was all in the orientation speech,” Klara responded, conveniently dodging my second question.

“I mean, do we really need this many—”

One look from Klara and I realize I’ve said too much.

“Never mind, I suppose the academy would be in trouble if something happened to the child of some noble…”

“An astute observation, my lady. As expected of a prodigy of your age.”

I was about to respond, but a sign caught my eye.

“Trinity Academy has an artifact museum?!”

Klara didn’t even have the chance to say anything before I ran off towards the entrance. She sighed, picking up the luggage I had dropped in my excitement.

“I suppose I cannot stop you. I’ll see you at the dormitories, my lady. Please try not to be late.” Klara then headed off while I ran off to the museum to catch a glimpse of the ancient relics and artifacts.

At least, until a guard saw me and scared me off. Hmph, I mean, it’s not like I was going to steal them.

I saw most of them were the usual enchanted swords and spell tablets and such, although I did spot some strange obsidian bricks. Not sure what a brick is worth preserving for.

From there, I went to the library—a renovated cathedral, circling around to the research laboratories and dining hall before I realized I was lost.

In the courtyard, I spotted a group of boys playing with fire cantrips, uttering brief incantations into shimmering air as little flames danced along their fingertips.

“A lighter cantrip? Not bad,” I said, walking over. “But watch this.”

The boys stared at me in confusion. “Who’s this lost child—”

They suddenly fell silent as small halos of fire started spinning around my fingertips, before they fired into the air and exploded like miniature fireworks.

“Tada!” I bowed. “See, if you make some modifications to—”

“Hey!” a guard yelled. “Spellcasting is forbidden outside designated areas!”

Crap. The boys froze in terror, giving me my chance to slip out of sight. At least until one of them grabbed me by my collar, sending me falling to the ground.

“Just where do you think you’re going? Open it up,” he said, prodding at my bookbag. “And you too,” he gestured to the boys.

“We didn’t do anything. It was all her.”

I felt guilty, so I took one for the team, handing over a spellbook with a sour taste in my mouth. Even those simple cantrips took several hours copying tens of thousands of arcane runes by hand. Copying spells: a noble’s favorite legally mandated pastime, as I liked to say.

“All of them.”

I instantly felt the load off my shoulders as I handed over two more leatherbound spellbooks, each nearly a thousand pages thick.

“You can collect these from the Academy Watch building tomorrow. In the meantime, reflect on what you’ve done,” he said, storming off.

Sigh. I’m not getting out of this one. I hope they won’t look too closely at my experimental spell…

...

By the time I found our dorm (who decided to lay out the roads in such an inane labyrinthine manner anyways?) it was already dark out. The residence hall was an ornate, vine-covered three-story brick building. Despite its apparent age, the bronze statues decorating the main entrance were well polished, glowing gently under flickering firelight.

A crowd of students had congregated at the main entrance, some unpacking their luggage, others saying their goodbyes to their family. And by one of them, I saw Klara patiently waiting for me.

“Klara, how are we going to get in?”

“Just try to follow me.”

Unlike me, Klara was remarkably nimble for someone of her petite stature, as she skillfully weaved through the crowd of students, dragging me through the doors and up the stairs. All whilst carrying all my luggage in one arm. I don’t even remember packing so many bags!

After finally escaping the sea of freshmen, we made it to my room, which was, of course, somehow at the furthest possible corner of the building from the main stairway.

Clack!

Klara turned the key and the old wooden door creaked open. It was a standard double, and it seems my new roommate hadn’t moved in yet. I wonder what sort of person they’re like? I can’t wait to meet them, I hope we get along well.

The room seemed a bit cramped, but at the very least, it was my own little bastion of freedom.

“My lady, I didn’t expect you would be so enthusiastic to live in such appalling conditions.”

Oops, it seems my big grin had given away my true intentions…

“Hehe, just excited to be living on my own now. Thank you for all your hard service all these years, but unfortunately the dorms are for students only, it’s a shame you can’t stay with me.”

Klara smiled slightly and curtseyed.

“My lady, then you will be pleased to know that per your father’s wishes, I am currently enrolled as a student at Trinity Academy, and will be your roommate for the foreseeable future.”

Noooo!!!!! Well, there goes my chance at freedom…