The carriage slowed.
It slowed the way a person lowers their voice when entering a sacred place.
Euryale noticed it immediately.
The wheels barely made a sound anymore. The road beneath them felt smooth—too smooth for a forest path. The air changed as well, growing cooler and fresher, carrying the scent of water, moss, and old wood.
The driver cleared his throat softly."We're here."
Euryale leaned forward and looked out the window.
At first, he saw only trees.
Huge ones.
They rose high into the sky, their branches weaving together like an ancient ceiling. Sunlight filtered through the leaves in soft patches, moving even when there was no wind. The trunks were thick, twisted, and marked by time, their roots stretching across the ground like sleeping creatures.
Then the trees began to part.
Not suddenly.Not dramatically.
They simply… moved aside.
As if the forest itself had decided he was allowed through.
Beyond them stood Willowwand Academy.
Willowwand Academy was not one building.
It was many.
Stone halls curved gently instead of standing straight. Towers rose at different heights, wrapped in ivy and pale flowering vines. Wooden bridges connected buildings across open air and flowing water, some high above the ground, others just a step above gently moving streams.
A wide river ran through the center of the academy grounds, splitting into smaller channels that flowed beside walkways and beneath archways. The water was clear enough to see smooth stones at the bottom—and sometimes, faint glowing lines that moved like fish but vanished when stared at too long.
Willow trees stood everywhere.
Their branches drooped low, brushing rooftops and pathways. Leaves whispered constantly, even when the air was still.
The place felt old.
Older than the villages.Older than the academy system itself.
And yet—it felt awake.
The carriage rolled to a stop before a large archway made of pale stone and living wood twisted together.
Carved above it were the words:
WILLOWWAND ACADEMYWhere Magic Is Guided.
Euryale swallowed.
________________________________
The driver climbed down and opened the door.
"This is where I leave you," he said kindly. "Follow the main path. Someone will meet you."
Euryale stepped down.
The moment his boots touched the stone, something shifted.
Not a sound.Not a flash.
Just a feeling—like stepping into deeper water without sinking.
The river nearby rippled once.
Euryale adjusted his bag on his shoulder.
"Thank you," he said.
The driver smiled. "Good luck. And… don't argue with the academy."
Euryale blinked.
The driver chuckled. "You'll see."
And with that, the carriage turned around and rolled away—quietly disappearing back into the forest as if it had never been there.
There were no guards.
No iron gates.
No shouting officials demanding documents.
Only the archway.
Euryale stepped forward.
For a brief moment, he felt like the space itself was looking at him—measuring, weighing, deciding.
Then—
Nothing happened.
Which somehow felt like approval.
He passed through.
___________________________________
The path opened into a wide courtyard filled with people.
Dozens of students stood around, some pacing nervously, others standing stiff and quiet. Their clothing ranged from noble coats embroidered with silver thread to simple village tunics patched at the elbows.
The air buzzed with whispers.
"I heard the test changes based on your fear."
"My cousin failed and fainted."
"They say the nature here can tell if you're lying."
Euryale stayed near the edge, quiet as always.
At the center of the courtyard stood a circular platform made of pale stone. Runes were carved across its surface, glowing faintly. A ring of water flowed around it, smooth and unbroken, never spilling over the edge.
This was clearly the entrance test.
A tall woman stood beside it, wearing formal robes of deep green and silver. Her posture was straight, her presence calm but heavy enough to silence the crowd when she spoke.
"When your name is called, step onto the platform," she said."The test will assess magical compatibility, control, and intent.Failure does not mean weakness.Interference will result in immediate removal."
Several students swallowed at once.
The test began.
Names were called.
Some students caused the runes to glow brightly.
Others made the water ripple or rise.
One poor boy sneezed mid-test and panicked so badly he tripped off the platform.
He was escorted away gently but firmly.
Euryale waited.
Then the woman spoke again.
"Euryale of Shoreward Vale."
A few heads turned.
"Shoreward Vale?"
"Where is that?"
"Isn't that by the sea?"
"What's someone like that doing here?"
Euryale stepped forward.
He stopped before the platform.
The woman studied him for a long moment.
Long enough that people began whispering again.
Then—
She raised her hand.
"Test waived," she said clearly."He is admitted."
The courtyard exploded with reactions.
"What?"
"That's not fair!"
"Why doesn't he have to—"
The woman turned her gaze toward the crowd.
Silence fell instantly.
"Willowwand Academy does not test what it already recognizes," she said evenly."You may proceed."
She stepped aside.
Euryale hesitated.
Then he bowed slightly and walked past the platform.
Behind him, the water ring stilled completely.
The academy felt different once inside.
Students moved along paths that seemed to curve gently under their feet. Some practiced controlled spells under supervision—no explosions, no shouting. Others sat beneath trees reading thick books or arguing quietly about theory.
Magic here felt… polite.
Not weak.
Just disciplined.
A bell rang somewhere in the distance. It wasn't loud or sharp—just a soft tone reminding everyone that time still existed.
Euryale felt watched again.
But not judged.
A young attendant met him near a wide hall open to the sky.
"Welcome to Willowwand Academy," she said with a practiced smile."These are the official academy rules. Please read carefully."
She handed him a booklet.
Euryale opened it.
WILLOWWAND ACADEMY — FORMAL CONDUCT REGULATIONS
Students shall not force magic beyond their capacity or emotional stability.
All elemental paths are recognized as equal. Discrimination is prohibited.
Intentional harm toward another student or staff member is grounds for expulsion.
Summoning, binding, or experimenting on living beings without approval is forbidden.
The academy grounds are partially sentient. Respect is mandatory.
If disoriented, lost, or confused, students are advised to stop moving. The academy will redirect them.
Running indoors is discouraged. Running outdoors is unwise.
Euryale paused at the last line.
"…That's oddly specific," he murmured.
Euryale decided not to ask.
__________________________________
His assigned room overlooked a narrow stream that flowed directly beneath the window. The water glowed faintly at night, reflecting the stars even when clouds passed overhead.
He unpacked slowly.
Carefully.
Placing the things from home where they felt right.
When he finally lay down, exhaustion settled over him—but his mind stayed calm.
Tomorrow would bring lessons.
Rules.
People.
Tonight, Willowwand Academy breathed around him.
And the water beneath his window flowed steady and sure.
Like it had always known he would come.