The guards began sharing stories as they approached the final stretch of their journey, their voices tinged with both awe and unease. Tales of romance, horror, and adventure echoed through the carriage, painting vivid images of life at the Magic School of Knowledge. Kael listened intently, his curiosity piqued by the mix of wonder and dread woven into each story.
One guard recounted a chilling tale of a student who had delved too deeply into forbidden knowledge. "They say he summoned something that shouldn't exist," the guard murmured, his tone hushed. "No one saw him again after that night, but sometimes, late at night, you can hear whispers coming from the library—a voice calling out for help."
Elira chimed in, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "And then there's the legend of the star-crossed lovers," she added. "Two students from rival families fell in love, but their bond was cursed by an envious classmate. Now, it's said that if you stand under the grand clocktower at midnight, you'll see their shadows dancing together—one always reaching for the other, but never quite touching."
Kael couldn't help but be intrigued. These stories were unlike anything he'd ever heard, blending magic, emotion, and mystery in ways that felt almost alive. The school itself seemed to breathe with its own energy, a place where reality blurred into myth.
As they arrived, the sheer scale of the structure left everyone speechless. The Magic School of Knowledge was not merely a building—it was a towering monument to ambition and power. Built by a renowned architect famous for his works, such as the gigantic walls surrounding the kingdom's outskirts and this very tower, the school stretched impossibly high into the sky. Its dark stone surface gleamed faintly under the sunlight, runes carved intricately into its facade glowing softly as if alive.
"Some say it's more like a tower than a school," Elira remarked, her gaze fixed on the structure. "But don't let its appearance fool you. The inside is even stranger."
Kael turned to her, his brow furrowing slightly. "What do you mean?"
Elira smiled faintly, clearly enjoying the opportunity to explain. "The outside may be endlessly tall, but the inside is endlessly wide. It's said that no matter how far you explore, there's always another corridor, another room, another secret waiting to be uncovered. The architecture defies logic, bending space and time to accommodate the countless students and professors who call it home."
Her words sparked Kael's imagination. A place where the rules of reality didn't apply—a labyrinth of endless possibilities. It sounded both thrilling and terrifying, a fitting setting for the tales the guards had shared earlier.
As they stepped closer, the air around them seemed to hum with latent energy. The runes etched into the tower pulsed faintly, as though responding to their presence. Students hurried past, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors, while distant laughter and chatter mingled with the occasional flash of magical light.
Elira gestured toward the entrance, her expression softening. "This place shapes people—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Everyone who walks through those doors leaves changed in some way. Whether it's discovering your true potential or uncovering secrets best left buried, the school has a way of testing you."
Kael nodded slowly, absorbing her words. He could feel the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on him, but also the promise of discovery. This was no ordinary institution—it was a crucible, a place where legends were born and nightmares took root.