The Veyne house was still asleep when Elora picked up her suitcase.
She paused at the doorway for a moment before quietly closing the door behind her.
No tears.
No dramatic goodbyes.
Just a silent promise to return someday.
A few minutes later, she found herself on the way to the city station, suitcase in one hand and a backpack slung over her shoulder.
I can do this.
The thought echoed in her mind as she navigated through the bustling streets.
When she arrived, the station was packed.
It was the largest station Elora had ever seen.
Giant glass windows lined the front, while glowing runes carved into the walls bathed the entire station in a soft blue light.
Travelers hurried past, dragging suitcases across the polished stone floor as conductors called out departures from every platform.
The low hum of enchanted engines echoed through the station, occasionally interrupted by the sharp hiss of mana escaping from the waiting trains.
A magical display floated above the main hall, listing arrivals and departures in bright, glowing letters.
“Platform Seven now boarding for Arcane Academy.” She glanced down at her acceptance letter, her hands shaking slightly.
Platform Seven.
Right.
This is really happening.
She adjusted her grip on her suitcase and moved through the crowd.
Suddenly, someone bumped into her shoulder.
“Hey!” Her suitcase tipped, but the other person caught it before it could fall.
“Oops.
Sorry about that,” the boy said, looking slightly flustered.
Elora was annoyed, but he had at least tried to catch her suitcase and apologized immediately afterward.
Since no real harm had been done, she decided not to make an issue out of it.
“Please be more careful next time, even if you’re in a hurry,” she said.
“Yeah, I know.
This place is chaotic today.” He looked down, and she noticed the Arcane Academy crest hanging from his bag.
Another student?
But before she could say anything, the announcement blared again.
“Final boarding call for passengers traveling to Arcane Academy.
Please proceed to Platform Seven.” His eyes went wide.
“Oh no!” And just like that, he disappeared into the crowd.
Elora shook her head.
“…People these days,” she muttered before continuing toward the platform.
The closer she got, the more acceptance letters she spotted.
Students were everywhere.
Some looked excited, while others looked ready to throw up from nerves.
A few seemed like they hadn’t slept in days.
Most were around her age, hauling luggage and trying to act cool.
When she finally reached Platform Seven, a massive silver train awaited her.
Blue mana lines pulsed beneath its polished metal frame, flowing like rivers of light.
A faint hum vibrated through the platform, and every few seconds, wisps of pale blue mana drifted from vents along its sides before fading into the air.
Compared to the trains she was used to, this one looked enormous.
A station worker checked her acceptance letter before stepping aside with a smile.
“Welcome aboard.” Elora nodded and hopped inside.
The interior was even nicer than she had expected.
Plush seats lined the carriage, and the gentle vibration beneath the floor was so smooth it barely felt like the train was moving.
A faint scent of polished wood and enchanted crystal lingered in the air.
She found an empty seat near the window and placed her suitcase in the storage compartment above.
As soon as she sat down, a strange feeling washed over her.
This is it.
No turning back now.
Outside, the station drifted away as the train began to move.
Buildings blurred past the glass, then streets, then the city itself.
Elora rested her forehead against the window, watching it all go by.
She had never traveled this far from Rosehaven before.
Somewhere ahead lay Dirgantara, the capital of Aksara and home to Arcane Academy.
Just thinking about finally seeing it made her stomach flutter.
The excitement was still there, but it was mixed with a decent dose of nervous energy.
In a few hours, she’d finally see Arcane Academy for herself.
The steady rhythm of the train soon lulled her, her exhaustion creeping in.
Packing.
Goodbyes.
Trying not to freak out every five minutes.
Before she knew it, her eyes fluttered shut.
At first, she could hear the sounds of the train: conversations, the gentle hum of the enchanted engine, laughter from nearby passengers.
Then everything faded away.
When Elora opened her eyes, she wasn’t on the train anymore.
She stood in a vast, empty space that felt weirdly familiar.
And then she saw it.
A gate.
A massive black gate stood in the distance, silent and imposing.
Elora frowned.
Why does this feel familiar?
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then a faint silver light flickered across the gate’s surface.
It was there for just a second before disappearing again, and something about it made her chest tighten.
Before she could step closer, the ground beneath her shook.
The world began to blur around her.
A sudden jolt ran through her body, and in an instant, Elora’s eyes snapped open.
She was back in the train carriage, everything looking normal.
Passengers chatted quietly, and someone laughed a few rows away.
She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the lingering feeling from the dream.
She reached for the necklace resting beneath her shirt.
The pendant felt warm against her fingertips.
She was sure she hadn’t imagined it.
The warmth lingered for several seconds before slowly fading away.
“…Okay.
Definitely weird.” The rest of the journey passed without incident.
As the afternoon wore on, more students began gathering near the exits, eager to leave their seats before the train had fully stopped.
Elora joined them, nearly stumbling as she stood up too quickly.
A few minutes later, the train began to slow down.
Conversations around the cabin grew livelier as passengers stood up, reached for their luggage, and made their way toward the doors.
Their excitement was contagious, and before she knew it, Elora found herself smiling as well.
Then, with a final jolt, the train came to a stop, and the doors slid open.
Elora stepped onto the platform and looked up.
For a moment, she gasped and her eyes widened.
Beyond the station, massive white towers rose into the sky.
Bridges of crystal connected distant structures suspended high above the ground.
Ancient stone walls sprawled across the mountainside, covered in glowing formations that pulsed with mana.
Students, professors, and academy staff moved in every direction.
The entire place buzzed with magic and life.
It was larger than any picture she had ever seen, larger than she had ever imagined.
Arcane Academy.
She had finally made it.
Elora closed her eyes for a moment, taking it all in.
Suddenly— A vision flashed through her mind.
From the endless darkness, a pair of crimson eyes slowly opened.
She froze.
Her eyes flew open, and her heart pounded against her ribs.
“What…
did I just see?” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Nyx_Roses Quick test for my readers: Where is Arcane Academy located?
No cheating and scrolling back.