The following morning, Caelan discovered that the academy had its own weather.
At least, that was how it appeared from the road.
A broad stretch of pale stone walls extended along the capital's northeastern corner, interrupted by towers and guarded entrances. Beyond them rose the roofs of enormous buildings, distant spires, and the upper branches of trees that seemed to continue for miles.
The academy's outer boundary followed the edge of the city before turning toward the forest. From certain points along the road, Caelan could see walls and rooftops in one direction and a dense expanse of woodland in the other.
He stood beside Garrick's wagon, looking through the ironwork of the public entrance.
"This is all academy property?" he asked.
"All of it, and more beyond what you can see from here," Garrick replied. "The grounds extend into the forest. Some sections are restricted even to senior students."
Caelan looked along the wall again.
He had expected a large school. He had not expected something that appeared to occupy an entire corner of the capital.
A pair of guards stood beside the entrance, wearing dark uniforms with silver trim. Behind them, a wide avenue led inward toward a monumental archway. The academy emblem was carved into its crown, and tall statues of robed mages stood on either side.
Students and visitors passed through separate checkpoints. Supply wagons entered through a broader gate farther down the wall, where workers inspected their cargo before allowing them through.
Everything moved with practiced efficiency.
"Why build it so large?" Caelan asked.
"Because it does more than teach students," Garrick said. "Research, magical engineering, artifact preservation, advanced healing, military instruction, and the training of royal officials. Some departments require more space than others."
"And the forest?"
"Training grounds, research territories, protected habitats, old ruins, and places where the academy monitors unusual magical activity. Not all of those areas are open to students."
Caelan watched a carriage pass through the entrance. Its polished sides bore the crest of a noble house, and two attendants followed behind it carrying luggage.
"Do all the nobles study here?"
"Not all. But many send their children, particularly those with magical potential. The academy's reputation reaches every major family in the kingdom."
"Then there must be a lot of competition."
Garrick gave him a sideways glance. "You haven't even taken the entrance assessment."
"I was only making an observation."
"Of course."
They continued toward the public entrance.
Caelan had no intention of wandering around the entire perimeter, but he wanted to understand where the assessment would take place. They followed signs toward the candidate administration building, passing a smaller reception hall used by visitors and families.
The building was impressive in its own right, with tall columns, wide steps, and windows covered by thin protective enchantments. An engraved plaque listed the academy's founding date and the names of several former headmasters.
Inside, a clerk directed them to a reception counter.
"Preliminary assessment candidates?" she asked.
Garrick presented Caelan's brass token and registration papers.
"Confirmed," she said after checking the ledger. "Candidates should report to the eastern examination complex on the appointed morning. Follow the blue markers from the central avenue. Do not enter any restricted buildings or training grounds."
She handed Caelan a folded map.
He opened it.
The academy had its own internal districts. The central complex contained lecture halls and administrative buildings. The western grounds housed dormitories and dining facilities. The eastern side included examination halls and training courts, while several marked paths continued toward the forest.
The map showed only the major routes. Large areas were labeled as restricted, and the forest boundary extended beyond the bottom edge of the page.
Caelan turned it over, expecting more detail.
There was none.
"This doesn't show the entire academy," he said. Find the original chapter at g.com.
"It isn't intended to," the clerk replied. "The full internal maps are issued to students according to their access permissions."
Caelan folded it carefully.
Even the map was a reminder that the academy was not a place one could understand in a single visit.
They spent the rest of the morning walking along the public avenue.
Garrick had work to complete at the regional surveying office, so he left Caelan at a designated public area near the academy entrance, instructing him to remain within the marked paths.
Caelan agreed.
He was not foolish enough to explore restricted grounds before he had even been admitted.
From the public avenue, he could observe students entering and leaving the academy's accessible buildings. Some wore simple uniforms, while others had colored bands on their sleeves indicating their departments or years of study.
A group of students emerged from a large stone building carrying wooden frames fitted with crystals.
One of them complained that their instructor had made them repeat the same exercise for an entire afternoon.
"Three hours," the student said. "Three hours trying to keep a basic barrier stable."
"Did you manage it?"
"Eventually."
"Then it worked."
"It worked once."
Their companion laughed. "That's more than you managed yesterday."
They continued down the avenue, arguing about the exercise.
Caelan watched them go.
He knew enough about magic to understand the frustration. Making a spell work once was not the same as making it reliable. Serah had repeated that lesson throughout his training.
He looked back at the academy buildings.
Somewhere inside, students were learning things he had only read about. Others were making mistakes he hadn't yet had the opportunity to make.
He would have to catch up.
Not all at once, but one lesson at a time.
At midday, Caelan met Garrick near the entrance to the surveying office.
His father had finished his business earlier than expected and had brought a small parcel from a nearby bookshop.
"I thought you might find this useful," Garrick said.
Caelan opened it to find a thin volume titled Foundations of Practical Rune Construction. It was more advanced than the introductory book he had purchased in Brackenford, but its diagrams were clearly labeled, and the early chapters focused on basic patterns and common structural errors.
"Is this from the academy?"
"No. A local bookseller recommended it. The academy's own manuals are considerably more expensive, and you won't know which ones you'll need until you're admitted."
Caelan turned several pages.
One illustration showed a simple protective rune, followed by several variations designed for different surfaces. Another explained how changes in spacing could affect stability and energy consumption.
"This is exactly what I've been practising."
Caelan slipped the book into his bag.
They returned to the inn for lunch, where Elara had already arranged their supplies for the assessment day. She checked Caelan's documents, reminded him to get enough sleep, and made him promise not to spend the entire evening studying.
"I won't," he said.
She looked at the book tucked beneath his arm.
"That sounded suspiciously quick."
"I'll stop before dinner."
"Better."
That afternoon, Caelan followed his mother's instructions and took a break. He helped Garrick organize their belongings, then walked with Elara through the nearby market. They bought fruit, visited a small shop selling writing supplies, and returned before the streets became crowded.
For a few hours, he was simply a boy visiting a city with his parents.
It helped.
By evening, the examination no longer felt like the only thing waiting for him in the capital.
On the final night before the assessment, Caelan laid his belongings across the bed.
Registration papers. Brass token. Notebook. Two pencils. A small amount of money. The academy's candidate map.
He checked everything once, then packed it away.
Downstairs, Garrick was discussing the following day's arrangements with Elara. They had agreed to accompany Caelan as far as the candidate entrance, where guardians would have to leave the applicants to the academy staff.
Caelan joined them for supper.
"Do you have any advice for tomorrow?" he asked his father.
"Yes."
Caelan waited.
"Eat breakfast."
"Father."
Garrick smiled. "And listen carefully to the instructions. You don't need to demonstrate every skill you possess. You need to complete the tasks you're given."
Elara reached across the table and squeezed Caelan's hand.
"Whatever happens, we're proud of the work you've put in."
He nodded, feeling a little embarrassed by the attention.
After supper, he returned to his room and opened Serah's old practice notebook. Several exercises were marked with corrections in her handwriting. He read through them, not to memorize the answers, but to remind himself of the mistakes he had already learned to avoid.
Then he closed it.
Tomorrow, the academy would judge what he could do, not what he hoped to become.
Caelan placed the notebook beside his bag and extinguished the lamp.
Beyond the inn's window, the capital remained awake. Farther away, behind the walls and towers, the academy's enchanted lights shone across its vast grounds, illuminating courtyards, distant buildings, and the first dark line of forest beyond them.
In the morning, he would pass through the candidate entrance.
For the first time, the academy was no longer a distant name printed in a book.
It was waiting for him.