Leaving the Mother Hall, they turned right, following a corridor where the castle walls showed their age in weathered cracks. Yet, in a display of persistent life, tiny, vibrant flowers bloomed from within those stone crevices. Soon, they entered a circular rotunda featuring five grand doors, each bearing the name of a Chamber.
As they reached the door marked Fynric, the Chamber Leader pressed his palm against a hand-shaped indentation on the surface.
"This is the elevator that leads to our living quarters," the leader explained.
"For your classrooms, you'll need to take the left path back at the Mother Hall."
With a soft ding, glowing numerical symbols appeared on the door. The leader tapped "10."
"Since you are now officially students of Fynric, you're keyed into this system. Just place your palm on the sensor and input the number of people. The elevator will magically adjust its interior dimensions to accommodate whoever is with you," he detailed.
Everyone nodded in awe, soaking in the explanation. But Kai, ever the curious one, raised his hand.
"So, if people are already using the elevator, do we have to wait for it to come back down? What if we're late for class?"
The leader's face lit up even more. He was clearly someone who thrived on being asked questions, eager to share his knowledge.
"Great question! Now, this elevator isn't like the ones in the Ordinary world. You don't have to wait for it to descend while someone else is going up—another one will simply manifest for you. And don't worry about them colliding; it's all magically synchronized. Magic is truly wondrous, isn't it?"
He continued with a proud glint in his eyes.
"This was designed by our current Headmistress, Master Gaedanvillao, and the former Headmaster, Sir Rayron. They scrapped the ancient, crumbling staircases and replaced them with this. It's a masterpiece where Ordinary technology meets High Magic. Absolutely marvelous, don't you think?"
Everyone nodded in agreement. Kai leaned in closer to Simon, whispering conspiratorially, "He's like Jackie second one. Except he's actually kind and not constantly scowling."
Simon managed a faint, fleeting smile at Kai's wit. But deep down, the heavy knot in his chest wouldn't loosen. Jack was still ignoring him, refusing to even glance his way. For someone like Simon, who had so few friends and cherished them above all else, Jack's cold shoulder was more than just hurtful—it was terrifying.
The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped inside. Just as the leader had promised, the interior was spacious enough to accommodate all ten of them with ease. Once the doors hissed shut, the leader pointed toward three distinct panels on the wall.
"Listen up," he said. "The bottom panel leads to the dormitories for first, second, and third years. The middle one is for the fourth, fifth, and sixth years..since the Academy only spans six years. And the top panel? That leads to our Common Room. Whether there's an announcement or we just need to discuss something, we gather there. Let's head there first."
With that, he pressed the top button.
They waited for the ascent, but the sensation of movement never came. Everyone looked around in confusion, but the leader remained perfectly calm. Then, a sharp ding echoed through the small space.
"We're here," he announced.
"We're here," he announced.
"Huh? We didn't even feel like we were moving up!" Kai exclaimed, blinking in surprise.
The leader offered a knowing smile. "That's magic, kiddo. It doesn't need to follow the rules of physics."
"Welcome to the Fynric Chamber CommonRoom!"
As the doors slid open, nine pairs of eyes widened in absolute wonder. The space felt less like a room and more like a grand observatory. The nightly splendor of Mythaion stretched out before them, and directly behind the castle, the silhouette of the vast forest loomed in the dark. Though it was night, one could only imagine how breathtaking the view would be at dawn.
The interior was dotted with round tables and plush couches, some even adorned with soft plushies. Seniors lounged about—some buried in books, others caught in lively chatter, filling the air with a welcoming hum. Along with towering bookshelves, the room boasted modern gaming consoles and a television. The balcony, crafted from pristine white stone, featured a statue of Fynric himself at its center, standing proud with a spear in hand. The floor was made of polished orange stone—the signature color of the house, and the faint, refreshing scent of citrus lingered in the air. Instead of a traditional fireplace, a massive fire pit blazed at the very heart of the room.
The moment Simon stepped inside, a wave of warmth washed over him, melting the cold knot that had formed in his chest. Above, the night sky glittered with stars that seemed to connect into the shapes of celestial beasts. As a gentle night breeze brushed against his face, Simon closed his eyes, savoring the sensation. When he opened them again, he felt as if the wind had whispered a secret to him: You belong here.
"Our chamber is located at the very peak of the castle's western wing," the leader explained.
"That's why our Common Room doubles as an observatory."
"But what happens when it rains?" Oliver Locktack asked curiously.
The leader smiled. "It's not as exposed as it looks. There's an invisible Magic Barrier in place. It filters out the rain, the snow, and even the harsh sun. Think of it like a glass wall, but without the physical substance—pure, protective magic."
"Oh..." echoed from the students as they nodded in unison. Then, Kai spoke up again, "Leader, what did Fynric actually do? What kind of hero was he?"
The leader smiled, gazing toward the grand statue. "Well, Fynric wasn't a hero like the others. He was a bit... unconventional. You could even call him 'weird.' But brave—incredibly brave. When he believed something was right, he acted with unwavering courage. In fact, he was the one who changed many of the ancient rules in Mythaion."
"What kind of rules?"
"In the old days, the Chosen were meant for one thing only: to hunt and fight monsters. Fynric changed that. He gave the Chosen the freedom to choose their own paths. That's why we have the Tavian, who protect magical creatures, and the Malthen, who seek out ancient magical scripts. When Willowgate was founded, he made sure those disciplines were integrated into the curriculum. Truly a legend, isn't he?"
"Oh, so that's why I'm not in Kaelen. I have this unique kind of bravery! I get it now. We're definitely the best compared to the other Chambers,"
Kai declared proudly.
Next to him, Jack rolled his eyes in exasperation.
The leader chuckled and intervened, "Well, all five Chambers are defined by their own distinct forms of courage. They're all unique in their own right, so you can't really measure them by the same yardstick. Kaelen, for instance, didn't just drive out the Orcs; he brought peace back to the land, which makes him extraordinary, too. Everyone stands on equal ground here."
Kai nodded at the explanation, but then leaned toward Simon and whispered, "Still, you've gotta take pride in your own team, right? We're clearly the best."
Simon offered a small smile and nodded back. The seniors in the Common Room continued to whisper, their eyes lingering on Simon with a mixture of dread and curiosity. Noticing the attention, Simon lowered his head, a wave of self-consciousness washing over him. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet the weight of their judgment made him feel incredibly small.
The Chamber Leader quickly picked up on Simon's distress and the unsettling atmosphere. He turned toward the seniors and clapped his hands loudly to draw everyone's focus.
"Hello, everyone! Let's give a warm welcome to our nine freshmen," he announced firmly. "As the Headmistress said, treat everyone fairly, regardless of their background. Lift up those who feel small, and celebrate those with talent. Understood?"
His words acted as a sharp reminder, silencing the gossipers and bringing a much-needed sense of order back to the hall.
The leader turned back to them with a welcoming smile.
"So, you must be starving. Your dinner has already been delivered to your rooms, along with your luggage and the uniforms you'll need for tomorrow."
"Wait, the uniforms are already done? How?" Kai asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Magic," the leader replied simply. "From the moment you entered the castle, the castle fairies took note of your measurements. They were only waiting to see which Chamber colors to apply. You'll each have three sets. Since classes run five days a week, don't forget to keep them laundered."
"Wow... magic is so cool!"
"Yep, it transcends everything," the leader said with a grin. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he added, "Wait, did I even tell you my name?"
They all shook their heads.
"Oh! My name is Lucas Mylan. You can call me by my last name or just Lucas. I'm a New-Blood."
"Are you French?" Oliver asked. Lucas nodded, looking impressed.
"Yes! How did you catch that?"
"I'm half-French myself," Oliver explained. "And I noticed a slight French lilt in your accent."
Lucas gave a warm smile. "Is that so? Well then, let's head out." He led them back to the elevator, placing his palm on the sensor and inputting the digits just as before. Once they were inside, he pressed the button for the bottom floor.
"Since there are only three girls among you, you'll be joining a room with three second-year girls," Lucas explained. "As for the boys, you'll have a full six-person dormitory to yourselves. We're a bit short on girls this year..."
The elevator doors slid open, revealing a junction between two opposing hallways.
"Girls to the left, boys to the right," Lucas instructed. "I'll leave you here. Girls, your room is 15; boys, yours is 13. Enjoy your time. Oh, and don't forget to collect your timetables in the Common Room tomorrow morning. Rest well."
With that, Lucas departed. The group split, the three girls heading one way while the boys went the other. The hallway featured elegant vaulted ceilings, with bedroom doors facing one another in perfect symmetry. Lanterns mounted on every pillar cast a warm, steady glow over the polished brown hardwood floors.
Simon stole a glance at Jack as they walked, but Jack's cold shoulder remained as firm as ever. When they finally reached Room 13, they came to a bewildered halt. There was no doorknob—no handle of any kind.
"How do we open this?" Toad asked.
"Look for a palm scanner," Kai suggested.
But as they searched the smooth surface of the door, they found nothing like the sensor on the elevator.
"It's not here."
"Then... how are we supposed to get in? Are we sleeping in the hallway? I really don't want to sleep out here," Finn, a stout boy, whimpered anxiously.
"Keep your gloomy thoughts to yourself!" Oliver snapped.
With his striking silver-blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, Oliver stood with his arms crossed, frowning at Finn. Despite being only twelve, he carried himself with the poise of a professional model. His attire was impeccable, making him stand out among the group.
"Do we need a password or something?" he asked, his voice carrying a French lilt much more pronounced than Lucas's.
"But Leader Lucas didn't give us any password!" Kai exclaimed.
"Is this a test? Ah... so this is the Fynric way? Fine, let's show them what we're made of!"
Jack rolled his eyes at Kai's dramatics and shoved him aside. "Move."
Standing before the door, Jack examined the surface closely. He noticed a subtle, almost invisible indentation where a handle should have been. As he reached out, a handle materialized out of thin air, fitting perfectly into his palm.
"This room only grants access to its rightful owners," Jack explained coolly. "The handle won't manifest for anyone else." He then pulled the door open.
"Wow, Jackie! You're a genius!" Kai cheered.
"I told you not to call me that!" Jack snapped, scowling back at him, but the door was already open.
They stepped inside and were immediately impressed by the room's design. Along each wall, three beds were arranged in a loft-style configuration. Beneath each raised bed sat a personal study desk, and integrated wardrobes were built into the side of each unit for their belongings.
The floor was adorned with a beautifully embroidered floral carpet, and the walls were painted in a soothing, non-reflective shade of orange. In the center of the room, between the two rows of beds, stood a long, low table laden with steaming dishes. To indicate their assigned spots, their luggage had been placed neatly at the foot of the ladders leading up to each bed.
"Bed later, food first! Im starving!"
Kai exclaimed, rushing toward the table and plopping down cross-legged to start eating. Toad and Finn didn't need a second invitation either, digging in without hesitation. Oliver and Jack followed suit, taking their seats, and Simon joined them shortly after. As fate would have it, Simon ended up right next to Kaiand directly across from Jack.
Jack ate in focused silence, never once lifting his eyes. For Simon, every bite felt heavy. He kept alternating between glancing at Jack and staring down at his plate, the tension across the table thick enough to cut with a knife.
Kai suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence as he continued to eat without looking up.
"Jackie, why are you ignoring Simon? You've been acting different ever since you heard his last name."
Jack stiffened. He glanced at Kai, then shifted his gaze to Simon for a brief, tense moment before staring back down at his plate. "Its none of your business," he muttered.
"How is it not my business?" Kai countered, his tone persistent. "Were in the same Chamber and now were roommates! And you! French boy! You've been looking at Simon like hes some kind of criminal too."
Oliver raised an eyebrow at Kais blunt accusation. He elegantly dabbed his mouth with a napkin before looking from Simon back to Kai with a piercing gaze.
"Because he is criminal"
Those words seemed to increase the gravity of the entire room, pressing down on everyone. Simon's eyes widened in sheer shock. A 'criminal'...what do you mean I am criminal.