The Calm Before The Storm

Dinner had ended, and the usual chatter filled the dining hall. But tonight, there was an undercurrent of excitement that buzzed just beneath the surface—no doubt due to the announcement made by the sisters earlier. The Winter Trials were on the horizon, and everyone seemed to have an opinion on them, from the newest student to the most seasoned veteran.

Sean sat at the table, listening to the laughter of his friends, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The sound of cutlery clinking against plates seemed distant, muffled by the excitement that now gripped the school. He knew little about the trials themselves, but he had heard enough rumors to get the gist—tough, dangerous, but also a prestigious opportunity for those brave enough to test their skills.

“I’m heading back to the tower,” he said with a stretch, pushing his chair back from the table. “You guys coming?”

William nodded, but Kira, Sara, and Alex were all still talking about something—probably the trials. With a casual wave, Sean left the table and made his way through the bustling corridors toward the Witches’ Tower.

Entering the Witches' Tower

The witches had a tradition of exclusivity when it came to their living spaces. Unlike other factions, their dorms were situated in the tallest tower, a spire that seemed to touch the sky. The entrance was hidden, a door camouflaged with enchantments, only visible to those of witch blood.

As Sean approached the archway, he felt the familiar pulse of magic—the door shimmering briefly before opening at his touch. A simple password spoken aloud, “Vires,” and the intricate rune symbols that wove themselves across the wood flared to life, allowing him entry.

Once inside, Sean was greeted by the usual sights and sounds of the male witch dormitory. It wasn’t as orderly as other factions’ living spaces—witches, after all, were known for their chaotic but focused energy. The common room was filled with students sprawled on the couches, practicing spells, chatting, and sometimes playing pranks on one another.

One of his older cousins, Elias, was sitting at the far corner of the room, flipping through an ancient tome of potion-making. Elias was known to be one of the most gifted witches in their year, his magic effortlessly blending nature and illusion. Sean envied him, sometimes, for the ease with which Elias conjured powerful spells.

"Hey, Sean!" Elias called out, catching sight of him. “Come try this with me.”

Sean shrugged off his jacket and made his way over to his cousin. He wasn’t in the mood for complex spellwork tonight—he had other things on his mind. But he sat down anyway, watching Elias manipulate the air around them, swirling invisible threads into shapes that shifted and bent with fluid grace.

“It’s impressive,” Sean muttered, half-smiling, as the last of the air in the room twisted into a shimmering bird that took flight, disappearing into thin air.

“Impressive?” Elias repeated with a chuckle. “This is nothing. Wait until you see the work we’re doing for the trials.”

Sean’s interest piqued, but he didn’t ask more. The older witches, especially the seniors, were already preparing for the Winter Trials. They weren’t as vocal about it as some of the others, but there was a certain level of tension that seeped into their conversations. The trials were a way for witches to show off their prowess, and it was an opportunity for the strongest among them to shine.

Later That Night: The Witches' Common Room

The night stretched on, and the common room began to empty as students trickled off to bed. But one of the older students, a fourth-year named Alden, stood up and raised his voice to gather attention.

“Listen up, all of you!” he said, his voice commanding the room. “I know it’s a weekend, but this is important.”

Sean, now sitting with a small group of students near the fireplace, shifted slightly to hear better.

“The Winter Trials are coming. And they’re not going to be easy. We dont just want to participate but we want to win, so we need to prepare.”

Alden’s gaze swept over the room, locking eyes with several of the older students. His eyes were filled with resolve, his expression sharp.

“It’s been too long since a group of witches from this tower has won. The others think they can beat us—think they’re better than us. But that’s just arrogance.”

Sean raised an eyebrow. This wasn’t just about pride; this was about power.

“They’ll throw all sorts of challenges at us. Physical, magical, maybe even psychological. But we’ll be ready. We’ll work together, and we’ll make sure that this year, the witches come out on top.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the group. Alden was one of the most respected seniors, and his words carried weight. He had the confidence and experience that most of the younger students looked up to.

Reflections

As Alden spoke, Sean couldn’t help but wonder about the trials—what they would look like this year. He wasn’t sure whether he wanted to participate. He was good at magic, no doubt, but the trials always came with risks, and he wasn’t sure he was ready to face those challenges yet.

As the evening wore on, Sean finally made his way to his room, passing through the dormitory's narrow hallways. The place was quiet now, most of the students gone to sleep. His thoughts drifted to the trials once again, the prospects of what they might hold, and whether he would end up participating or sitting this one out.

He had time to think about it—there were still weeks before they would begin.

But as Sean lay in bed, the soft hum of magic from the tower’s enchanted walls lulling him into a state of calm, he realized that no matter what happened, the upcoming trials would change everything.

The Next Day: A Quiet Morning

Saturday mornings were peaceful, and the common room was quieter than usual, with only a few students lingering and chatting in low voices. Sean stood by the window, his thoughts turning back to the trials and how they would affect not just the witches, but everyone else.

The rivalry between factions was nothing new, but now it felt different. The Winter Trials would be a catalyst, a spark to ignite everything that had been simmering beneath the surface.

Would the witches win? Or would another faction take the crown this year?.