The carriage remained still for several seconds before the compartment door opened by itself. A wooden staircase unfolded until it touched the road, and the blue lamps inside dimmed, indicating that the journey was over.
Octavia picked up her book and stepped out first, while Gaelira checked that her dress was properly arranged before following her. As soon as she stepped outside, a current of cold air struck her face and lifted part of her long black hair.
The vehicle that had carried them was even stranger from the outside. Its size barely seemed large enough to seat four people, despite the fact that the interior compartment contained beds, wardrobes, and enough space to walk around.
There were no horses or creatures pulling it. Four glowing symbols rotated around the wheels, which remained suspended a few centimeters above the ground. Gaelira would have liked to examine it more closely, but Octavia was already walking away and did not seem willing to wait for her.
"I thought you weren't going to follow me anymore," Gaelira commented as she quickened her pace.
"I'm not guiding you," Octavia replied without looking at her. "The academy is in the same direction for both of us."
Gaelira smiled slightly, but any response disappeared when she looked up. Crownspire Academy rose atop an enormous rock formation that jutted from the valley like a stone spear.
Three towers occupied the highest point, separated from one another and connected by arched bridges. From that distance, they resembled the points of a crown. Dark walls surrounded the complex, while stairways, courtyards, and smaller buildings descended along different levels of the mountain.
Several structures were suspended over the void by chains covered in runes.
Near the walls stretched a forest of tall trees protected by a translucent barrier, and flashes of color occasionally appeared between its branches.
On another level, figures too distant to distinguish were training in a circular courtyard while magical lights collided above their heads. Crownspire did not possess the flawless grandeur of the castles Gaelira had seen in movies, but that was exactly what made it feel more real.
"It's bigger than I expected," she admitted.
Octavia looked at her somewhat strangely. "You've seen illustrations of the academy since we applied."
"The illustrations don't show the height."
That was true, even if it was not the whole truth. Gaelira was still receiving isolated memories from the body's previous owner, but none had shown Crownspire clearly enough.
The sheer size of the place also created a feeling that was difficult to explain. Somewhere within those towers, there had to be information about magic, souls, and travel between worlds.
If there was any possibility of returning to her mother, it would probably begin there.
The road climbed around the rock formation and ended in front of a bridge guarded by two statues of knights. As they approached, Gaelira discovered that one figure had lost the tip of its sword and several cracks ran across the armor of the other.
Some stones on the bridge were newer than the rest, and the symbols carved into them did not match perfectly. Even the walls showed differences in color caused by numerous repairs.
"Crownspire has seen better years," Octavia explained when she noticed where Gaelira was looking. "It still provides decent training, but it doesn't receive as much support as the major academies anymore."
"A second-rate academy for a second-rate noble."
"Your family still has a title."
"And enough debt to fill one of those courtyards."
Octavia tried to suppress a smile, although Gaelira caught it before she recovered her serious expression. They crossed the bridge and entered a wide outdoor corridor. Three banners hung above them.
The first showed a red heart surrounded by black thorns, the second a silver moon partially covered by a dark veil, and the third a golden wing crossed by a blue bolt of lightning.
"Thornheart, Moonveil, and Stormwing," Octavia said. "The three houses of Crownspire."
Gaelira studied the banners as they continued climbing. "And what's different about each one?"
"The dormitories, some instructors, and the way they train their students. They also compete for points throughout the year."
"What does the winning house get?"
"Privileges, better training schedules, and priority access to certain materials. Students with the most points can also apply for scholarships for the next term."
That immediately caught Gaelira's attention. Her family was only willing to pay for the first year, so earning a scholarship could become the difference between remaining at Crownspire and being forced to leave because of money. "How long does the training last?"
Octavia looked at her again, and Gaelira realized too late that it was another question whose answer she should already know. "Four years," the redhead replied. "Although, considering how little attention you paid whenever we talked about coming here, I suppose I should be glad you at least remember the name."
"The spell still has my head a little scrambled."
"How convenient."
Octavia resumed walking, but Gaelira noticed that she had slightly slowed her pace to remain beside her. They passed through another corridor where the windows overlooked training courtyards, gardens, and paths leading into the protected forest.
Crownspire looked like a small city built inside a fortress, although signs of wear were everywhere: faded shields, cracked stones, and lamps that flickered even during the day.
"We'll be assigned to a house before receiving our rooms," Octavia continued. "I don't know what the process will be like, but they'll probably evaluate our magical affinity."
"Then we might end up separated."
"That shouldn't matter to you." Octavia pressed the book against her chest. "And I want to make something clear before classes begin. I'm not giving you my notes again, making excuses for your absences, or chasing after you to make sure you handle your responsibilities. If you decide to waste this opportunity, you'll do it without dragging me down with you."
Gaelira's memories confirmed that Octavia had already done all those things far too many times. She could not demand trust simply because the person responsible no longer existed. "I don't expect you to solve my problems," she replied. "If I fail, it'll be my responsibility."
Octavia stopped for a moment. She seemed to have prepared more arguments, but Gaelira's answer had made them unnecessary. "Good," she finally said. "Then I suppose we agree."
They continued walking without arguing. The distance between them had not disappeared, but the silence felt less tense than before. Gaelira even noticed Octavia occasionally checking that she was still beside her, although the redhead looked away every time their eyes met.
The corridor ended at the First Bell Courtyard, a circular courtyard surrounded by columns and stone benches. Dozens of young people waited in front of enormous doors decorated with the intertwined symbols of the three houses. Gaelira quickly counted thirty-four students. Including the two of them, the first year consisted of thirty-six people.
As soon as they took a place among the others, a bell rang from the central tower. The conversations died away and the doors began to open inward. Gaelira expected a teacher to appear, but the first thing to cross the threshold was something much smaller.
A hand walked on its five fingers.
It had an enormous open eye in the center of its palm, a mouth beneath it, and a tiny wizard hat around its wrist. The creature stopped in front of the students, looked over the group, and smiled, revealing a row of teeth that looked far too human.
Octavia slowly tightened her grip on the book against her chest. "That wasn't in the illustrations."
For the first time since they met, Gaelira completely agreed with her.