The train soared through the skies like a great iron bird, its engine humming with ancient enchantments. Below them, clouds shifted like silver rivers, glowing faintly in the light of the moon. Max's nose was pressed against the window, his breath fogging up the glass as he stared out.
Then, with a soft whine and a long, whistling hiss, the train began to slow.
"Whoa," Max whispered, his eyes wide. "This is unreal."
Anna, standing nearby with her arms crossed, added, "I read about them in 'The Guide to Modern Magical Transport.' They're powered by the new current magic developed by a man named Loreou—"
But before she could finish, Max had already darted toward the entrance with George following close behind, clearly uninterested in a lecture.
"Hey!" Anna snapped. She stomped after them, fuming. "You two never listen. One day you're going to miss something important and regret it."
The three entered the train, its interior dimly lit with golden lanterns that hovered gently in midair. Each compartment glowed with warm magic, and enchanted notices hovered in the air, guiding students to their seats. The hallways were buzzing with young witches and wizards already dressed in school robes.
Max and George moved from one couch to another, only to find every one full.
"Great," Max grumbled. "Did we board a second late, or are we just unlucky?"
They finally reached the very end of the train, where a single couch remained. It looked cozy enough for three. But someone was already there.
A girl, about their age, was curled in one corner of the couch, asleep with her head resting against a small satchel. Her black hair spilled over her shoulder in soft waves, and a silver chain sparkled faintly on her wrist. A thin book was still clutched in her hand.
Max hesitated. "Think she'd mind if we sat here?"
George shrugged. "She's sleeping. We'll be quiet."
They sat down gently, careful not to wake her.
Anna joined them seconds later, glaring at both boys.
"Seriously?" she hissed. "She was here first."
Max gave her a cheeky grin. "So? It's a three-seater. Sharing is caring."
Anna sighed but sat down beside them, folding her arms.
And so the three of them began their journey to Venrier Academy—two boys with wide eyes and curious minds, a girl with too much knowledge to be ignored, and another girl still unknown, sleeping peacefully beside them.
Outside the windows, the stars stretched on forever, and the magical world waited just ahead.
As the train rattled softly through the night sky, Anna pulled out a slim book from her satchel and began reading.
"What's that?" George asked.
"It's called The History of the Great War," she replied. "We're probably going to be tested on this during our first term. It's dense but important."
Max groaned loudly and threw his head back against the seat.
"Seriously?! That's the most boring lesson ever taught! You'd get more excitement watching a rock grow!"
His voice echoed down the compartment, and with a sudden start, the sleeping girl beside them stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked at them, clearly confused and a little annoyed.
George, Max, and Anna all froze.
The girl yawned softly, then sat up straight. Her eyes, a soft gray with specks of amber, locked onto Max.
"Could you maybe not yell like you're being chased by a Basilisk? Some of us were enjoying a nap."
Max scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry. I just wasn't ready for ancient war history before dinner."
The girl raised an eyebrow but said nothing more, reaching over to close her book calmly. The title on the cover caught George's eye—it was the same book Anna had just mentioned.
Anna looked both smug and satisfied. "Told you it was important."
George glanced between the two girls. This was going to be a very interesting year.
—
The train glided gently through the air before descending through the mist. Slowly, the lights of Venrier Academy began to shine through the fog. Towers spiraled high into the sky, windows glowing with candlelight. The entire castle looked as if it were carved from moonlight and shadow.
As they stepped out, the students collectively gasped. Above the castle, the ceiling of the sky itself seemed to vanish, replaced with a perfect, crystal-clear view of the galaxy. Constellations twinkled, nebulae drifted in colorful swirls, and shooting stars arced across the heavens.
George stopped in his tracks, his heart swelling. He'd never seen the stars so close, so bright. For a boy who had once wondered if magic truly existed, this was the answer written across the sky.
Floating compartments moved gently around the upper towers—some of them transporting books, luggage, or small magical creatures. It was a world alive with motion and wonder. George couldn't help but smile. This was more than a school. It was magic itself.
As the students climbed the stairs, they noticed enchanted brooms sweeping the stone steps ahead of them, brushing away dust with perfect precision. Max laughed, nudging George. "Even the cleaning's done by magic. Why don't we have this at home?"
George grinned. "We're not in the ordinary world anymore."
The main entrance was guarded by a massive eagle statue carved from obsidian. It flapped its wings slowly and turned its head as if scanning each student. It didn't speak, but its piercing eyes seemed to look right through them.
George's chest tightened under its gaze. The statue felt alive. Like it knew something about him.
All along the entrance hall were other statues—lions, serpents, wolves, and owls—all carved in exquisite detail. George could swear they were watching him. Though unmoving, each statue pulsed faintly with magic. Alive… but frozen.
The tall gatekeeper with a scruffy beard and long maroon coat waved his hand. "Welcome, new students of Venrier Academy," he said in a deep, booming voice. "This is the start of your magical life."
The giant gates creaked open—on their own. Gasps and whispers followed the enchanted movement. Max elbowed George excitedly. "They really know how to impress, huh?"
George could only nod. He felt a hundred emotions at once: awe, nerves, excitement, and a strange sense of belonging.
As the students walked into the entrance hall, they were guided through to an enormous chamber: the Great Hall.
It was vast, with arched ceilings enchanted to mimic the night sky. Floating candles drifted gently through the air, and a long line of golden tables stretched the room's length. Even above the magical ceiling, George could still faintly see the galaxy through it—stars beyond stars.
Standing before the first table was the Headmaster.
An older man with silvery hair and deep-set eyes, dressed in deep violet robes with glowing runes embroidered across the hem. He raised his hand, and the hall fell silent.
"Welcome, freshers," he said in a voice that seemed to echo naturally without magic. "You are about to begin your first year at Venrier Academy. Here, you will learn many things—not only spells and potions but also the truths of the world you've never known."
There was a hum of excitement and nervous chatter.
"Now, before the feast, you shall be sorted into rooms of four. These will be your companions throughout your first year. Treat them well."
He raised his hand again, and with a flick of his wrist, hundreds of slips of parchment appeared midair, spinning and floating until they dropped gently into each student's hands.
Gasps and murmurs followed.
Some students were excited. Others groaned like it was a bad reality show twist. George, curious as always, opened his paper.
He read the names aloud under his breath:
> Max Galloway, George Blackwood, Anna Linthorne, Emily Vareth.
He blinked. Emily? That must be the girl who was sleeping on the train.
He looked over to Max and Anna, who were reading their own slips with matching surprise.
"So we're all together," Max grinned. "Well… except Emily. She's the wild card."
Just then, the Headmaster raised his hand again. "Let the feast begin."
In an instant, plates across the tables filled with steaming food—roasted meats, enchanted bread that refilled itself, floating goblets of glowing juice, fruits that shimmered under the candlelight.
Max's eyes sparkled like diamonds. "This… this is my kind of magic."
George couldn't even speak. He just stared at his plate, then at the starry sky above, then at the friends beside him.
This was real. This was his new life.
Everyone began to eat, and laughter echoed across the hall.
As the feast wound down, the Headmaster raised his hand one last time.
"Tomorrow, your journey truly begins. Your first class starts at sunrise. Sleep well… and prepare to be amazed."