Cherreads

Chapter 4 - House of Misfits

The air inside the Grand Hall shimmered with enchantment.

Crystal chandeliers floated unaided, casting blue-white light down onto rows of new students. Massive banners hung from the walls, each bearing the crest of one of the Three Great Houses of Arcvale: Solis, Lunaris, and Umbra.

Caelum stood stiffly among the crowd, his hands clenched, trying not to look like he was about to bolt.

"Why are there so many people?"

"How do they all look so confident?"

"Do I smell like barn still?"

A hundred questions buzzed in his head, but none of them made it to his lips.

---

At the front of the hall, a tall woman in black and gold robes stepped forward. Her long braid shimmered like ink in water. A thin circlet rested on her brow an instructor or council mage, by the looks of her.

She raised one hand, and the room fell silent.

"Welcome, initiates," she said, voice smooth and cold. "I am Archmistress Virell, Keeper of Sorting and Overseer of the House Pact. Today, you will be assigned your House. You do not choose the House. It chooses you."

With a flick of her hand, three orbs of colored flame burst to life in the air: Red (Solis), Blue (Lunaris), and Grey (Umbra).

"Step forward. The Aether will read your essence."

---

Caelum watched as one student after another was called. The orbs floated to them, circled, then darted toward one of the house banners, sparking the crest into a glowing blaze.

"Valen Draymore."

The flames shot toward the Solis banner. Of course.

"Lira Wynn."

The flames danced toward Lunaris, with a crackle of heat.

Then—

"Caelum Varrow."

He stiffened. Feet dragging, he stepped forward under the silent gaze of dozens.

The three orbs swirled around him.

The red one flared, but hesitated.

The blue shimmered, then dimmed.

Then the grey orb pulsed sharply and with a sudden hiss, shot straight to the Umbra banner, igniting it with shadowy silver light.

Murmurs swept the room.

"Umbra?"

"Seriously?"

"Is that even still a real house?"

Caelum flinched and looked at the instructors. Some seemed surprised. One man in a dark cloak nodded slightly, as though expecting it.

---

Later that day, Caelum stood in front of the House Umbra dormitory.

It looked nothing like the grand halls of Solis or the elegant spires of Lunaris. Instead, it was half-buried in ivy, tucked into a rocky slope behind the library. No guards. No torches. Just a door with an iron serpent coiled around the handle.

He sighed and pushed it open.

The inside was… strangely cozy. Dim lighting. Velvet chairs. A wide hearth with a quietly burning blue fire. A wall lined with weapons and spell scrolls. It felt like a place for secrets.

"New recruit?"

Caelum jumped. A tall figure stepped out of the shadows, one hand resting on a curved blade.

He was pale, with silver eyes that gleamed like a wolf's.

"Uh… yeah. Caelum. Varrow."

The boy gave a short nod. "Ardyn Veyne. You snore, you sleep outside."

Caelum blinked. "Noted."

Another voice piped up from the side. "You're the wind guy, right? The one who broke the arena construct?"

A girl with copper-red hair and soot-smudged gloves leaned over the stair railing. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Lira Wynn. Transferred from Lunaris too many rules there."

Caelum frowned. "Wait… weren't you sorted into?"

"Yeah, yeah, the orb changed its mind after I tried to duel a professor. Long story."

From a corner couch, a soft voice floated in. "You're welcome to sit with us. There's tea… and lemon cake."

Caelum turned to see a quiet girl with snow-white hair and pale blue robes. Her smile was gentle, but her eyes watched him like she already knew his story.

"I'm Eo."

Caelum exhaled slowly. In this strange, mismatched house he wasn't sure if he belonged. But he didn't feel unwelcome either.

---

That night, Caelum sat by the fire with his new housemates. For once, the wind in his chest was calm. But in the stillness of the embers, a whisper stirred through the flame.

"The balance is shifting... and the storm is waking."

More Chapters