The dawn bell rang not with sound, but with a pulse of golden light that flared through the obsidian halls of Equinox Academy. Aethon jolted awake, his heart pounding in time with the fading radiance. The walls of his chamber—smooth, dark stone veined with threads of luminous silver—still hummed with the bell's resonance, casting fleeting shadows across the vaulted ceiling.
At the foot of his bed, his new robes lay in perfect folds, midnight blue and threaded with constellations that glimmered like distant stars. When he reached out, the fabric shivered under his fingertips, the silver embroidery shifting in slow, celestial motion—Orion's belt twisting into Lyra, Ursa Major dissolving into a swirl of unnamed stars.
The Reaper's Fang yawned in his mind, its voice a gravel-edged drawl. "Ugh. Academia."
Aethon ignored it, running his thumb along the robe's hem. The stars flared brighter at his touch, as if recognizing him.
"First day," he muttered.
"First day of tedium," the Fang corrected. "Do you really think these scholars will teach you anything worth knowing? Anything that matters?"
Aethon exhaled sharply and stood, the cold floor biting into his bare feet. Outside his window, the sky was still bruised with night, but the twin spires of Equinox Academy loomed against the horizon, their peaks glowing faintly with the promise of dawn.
He had no choice but to learn. The Fang's hunger gnawed at him, a constant whisper beneath his skin. And if the legends were true, the answers he needed—the way to control it, to survive it—lay somewhere in these halls.
Even if the Fang despised every second of it.
Aethon pulled the robes over his shoulders, and the constellations flared to life, the silver threads humming against his skin like a whispered incantation. The fabric settled with unnatural weight—not heavy, but present, as if woven from something more than mere cloth.
"Look at you," the Fang sneered. "Dressed up like a proper little scholar. Tell me, do you think they'll applaud when they find out what sleeps inside you?"
Aethon clenched his jaw but didn't answer. He knew better than to rise to the Fang's bait. Instead, he turned to the small, circular mirror hanging above his washbasin.
The final star on Aethon's collar flared crimson as he fastened the robe, its light catching on the jagged edges of the tattoo coiled around his left wrist—a sword plunged through a sun, its rays fraying like torn threads. The ink never seemed to settle, shifting faintly under his skin as if stirred by some unseen current.
He straightened, his tall frame nearly brushing the arched ceiling of the chamber. The mirror showed a young man with sharp, angular features—cheekbones that could cut stone, a mouth usually pressed into a hard line, and eyes so dark they seemed less like irises and more like openings to some depthless place. His black hair, perpetually unruly, fell across his forehead in a way that made him look perpetually half-finished, as if he'd just rolled out of a fight or a restless dream.
The Fang chuckled. "They'll see it eventually."
Aethon took a slow breath, willing the tension from his shoulders,as he left his room bursting into the daylight while smoothing the last wrinkle from his robes.
"Alright then, congratulations—you now come with a 'Do Not Open' disclaimer, courtesy of the people."
....
As Aethon settled into his seat, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The auditorium was filled with unfamiliar faces, all chatting and laughing with anticipation. The scent of fresh grimores and polished floors wafted through the air, giving the space a sense of new beginnings.
Jake , the orientation leader, grinned mischievously as he began his tour of the school's unspoken rules.
"Let's get started, shall we?" he said, winking at the crowd.
"In the early 15th century, a powerful wizard named Erebus Argentum envisioned a place where young magicians could gather to learn, grow, and master their craft. Erebus, a renowned scholar and practitioner of magic, believed that the world needed a sanctuary for magical education, where students could develop their abilities in a safe and nurturing environment.
Erebus was driven by a desire to unite the fragmented magical communities of the time. He saw that magic was often used for personal gain, revenge, or to further the interests of individual groups, rather than for the greater good. He wanted to create an institution that would foster a sense of community, cooperation, and responsible use of magic among the next generation of wizards and witches.
With the support of like-minded individuals, Erebus founded Equinox Academy in a location blessed with unique magical energies. The academy's architecture was designed to harness and balance these energies, creating a harmonious environment conducive to learning and growth.
Equinox Academy's mission was to provide a comprehensive magical education, emphasizing not only the technical aspects of magic but also ethics, responsibility, and the importance of using one's abilities for the betterment of society. Erebus and his fellow founders worked tirelessly to create a curriculum that would produce well-rounded, skilled, and compassionate magicians.
Over the centuries, Equinox Academy has become a renowned institution, attracting students from all over the world. Its graduates have gone on to become influential figures in the magical community, using their knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world. The academy's legacy continues to grow, as new generations of students learn, innovate, and push the boundaries of what is possible with magic.
Erebus's vision and dedication to magical education have left a lasting impact on the world. His name is revered among the magical community, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of magicians. The academy's founders' emphasis on responsibility, ethics, and cooperation has shaped the values of countless students, ensuring that magic is used for the greater good.
And so, Equinox Academy remains a beacon of magical learning, a place where young minds come together to discover their potential, master their craft, and forge a brighter future for all."
"so now let talk about the crazy parts"
"First up, we have the 'Haunted' West Wing,"
Jake said, air quotes around the word "haunted." "It's actually just the oldest part of the building, but the creaky floors and groaning pipes make it feel like a real-life horror movie. Just don't go in there alone at night, unless you want to test your bravery."
The crowd chuckled, and Aethon couldn't help but smile. He was already feeling more at ease, thanks to Jake's lighthearted approach.
Jake said, "So, you guys want to know the secrets of Equinox Academy? Well, let me tell you, it's like a treasure trove of mystery and intrigue. Take the 'Haunted' West Wing, for example." He air-quoted the word "haunted" again, grinning. "I mean, it's not like the ghosts of former students are going to jump out and scare you... unless you're trying to cram for an exam at midnight. Then, yeah, the spirits of spellcasting and alchemy might haunt you forever."
The crowd chuckled, and Jake continued, "But seriously, the West Wing is just old and creaky. Although, if you listen closely, you might hear the whispers of past students saying, 'Why didn't I study harder for that exam?'"
Aethon laughed along with the others, feeling a bit more at ease. Jake's humor was infectious, and he was starting to enjoy the orientation.
Jake grinned mischievously. "Next up, we have the Forbidden Third Floor Vending Machine. It's like the ultimate test of patience and skill. Some say it's been jammed since the dawn of time, while others claim it's just trolling us."
He paused for comedic effect. "I mean, who needs a vending machine that actually works when you can have one that's like a puzzle to solve? It's like the school's way of saying, 'Hey, you think you're clever? Prove it!'"
The crowd chuckled, and Jake continued. "Legend has it that if you manage to get your snack out, you'll be granted good luck for the rest of the semester. But let's be real, it's probably just a myth perpetuated by the vending machine's manufacturer to sell more snacks."
Aethon laughed along with the others, intrigued by the vending machine's notorious reputation. "So, what's the secret to getting a snack out?" he asked.
Jake winked. "Ah, that's the million-dollar question. Some say it's all about the precise combination of button-mashing and voodoo magic. Others claim it's just a matter of luck. But one thing's for sure – it's a rite of passage for every student at Equinox Academy."
The auditorium erupted into laughter, and Jake grinned. "So, good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"
He was starting to feel like he was going to fit in just fine. "
Jake said, "And finally, we have the Legend of Principal Seraphine Duskthorn Missing Trophy. It's a mystery that has been puzzling students for years. Some say it was stolen by a mischievous student, while others claim it was taken by aliens."
He paused for comedic effect. "But the real question is, did PrincipalSeraphine Duskthorn actually have a trophy to begin with? Or was it just a mythical symbol of excellence that we're all striving for?"
The crowd laughed, and Jake continued, "Either way, if you find the trophy, congratulations! You'll not only get an A+ in Mystery Solving, but you'll also get a guaranteed spot on PrincipalSeraphine Duskthorn 'I'm Not Angry, I'm Just Disappointed' list."
Aethon chuckled along with the others, enjoying Jake's lighthearted take on the legend.
As Jake finished his tour, the auditorium erupted into applause. Aethon joined in, feeling a sense of excitement and belonging.