Welcome to Emberwick!
The gates of Emberwick Academy loomed before Hoshi like a giant made of stone and old magic.
He tilted his head back, squinting up at the iron-wrought arches that curled into the shapes of roaring dragons and blooming flame-flowers.
"...Okay, that's cool."
He clutched the strap of his worn bag—Kopo had gifted it to him two nights ago. Inside was a brand new notebook, three quills, one inkpot, and a sandwich wrapped in cloth.
"Just in case," Kopo had said with that warm, tired smile. "First days are always better with food."
Hoshi had hugged him so hard, Kopo wheezed.
---
Now, standing at the entrance of Emberwick Academy, surrounded by chattering students in crisp robes, Hoshi suddenly felt tiny.
A girl with braided silver hair walked past him, levitating her books. A boy on a broom flew overhead, laughing with his friends.
Hoshi blinked.
"...How do they already know how to do that?!"
"First year?"
A voice came from beside him.
Hoshi turned to find a boy about his age, leaning against the gate with a lazy smirk. He had messy brown hair and a patch on his sleeve that read E. Lark.
"Lucky guess," Hoshi said, grinning. "Is it that obvious?"
"You're holding your bag like it's a lifeline," the boy said. "And also—you're wearing your uniform inside out."
Hoshi looked down.
...He was.
"…I did that on purpose," Hoshi declared. "It's a statement."
"It's a disaster," said the boy, but he was smiling. "I'm Ezra. Come on, newbie. I'll show you where the mess hall is before you accidentally wander into the Headmaster's office."
"Is that something people do?"
"First years do it every year."
---
The mess hall was huge.
Long wooden tables stretched across the room, filled with students eating, laughing, and occasionally throwing bread rolls at each other.
The ceiling was enchanted—Hoshi could see clouds drifting across it, and if he squinted, he could spot tiny birds made of light.
He sat down with Ezra and a few other first-years.
A girl with dark skin and gold-rimmed glasses introduced herself as Lyra, and she was already making detailed notes about the ceiling.
"It's said the clouds are enchanted to show the weather in each of the seven kingdoms," she explained.
"That's so cool!" Hoshi said, eyes wide.
"Also," Ezra added, tossing a bread roll into his mouth, "the birds sometimes dive-bomb people during exams."
"...That's less cool."
---
The first class was Elemental Theory, taught by a tall woman named Professor Voss who had eyes like molten gold.
She asked a question about fire affinity—and Hoshi's hand shot up before he could stop himself.
"Yes, Mister...?"
"Kosumosu! Hoshi Kosumosu!"
"Alright, Hoshi. What is the primary danger of channeling raw fire magic through an ungrounded focus?"
Hoshi opened his mouth—and then froze.
He knew the answer. Kopo had taught him this.
But under Professor Voss's steady gaze, with thirty students staring at him...
…his brain went blank.
"...It, uh… burns your eyebrows off?"
The class erupted into laughter.
Professor Voss blinked. Then—slowly—she raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Kosumosu, I must say... that is technically correct. But I'd appreciate a more formal answer in the future."
Hoshi flushed, but he was grinning.
Ezra leaned over and whispered, "Did you really just say that?"
"At least I didn't say 'it sets your pants on fire'—"
"THAT WAS YOUR SECOND CHOICE?!"
---
By the end of the day, Hoshi had:
· Almost set his textbook on fire (by accident)
· Fallen asleep in History of the Kingdoms (his head hit the desk so hard he woke himself up)
· Made friends with Lyra, Ezra, and two very quiet twins named Mira and Riven
· Eaten three sandwiches (he had packed one, but Kopo had snuck in extras)
· And learned that the library had a secret section that was "off-limits"
…which meant he would definitely be visiting it soon.
---
As the sun set over Emberwick Academy, Hoshi walked back to his dorm.
His bag was lighter now (he'd eaten the sandwiches), but his heart was full.
He stared at the sky.
He thought of Kopo.
He thought of the Pride Kingdom, and the Sin Gods, and the weird dreams he'd been having—
And he smiled.
"...Not bad for a first day
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