"This is the Academy's courtyard," our guide explained. "As I look around, I didn't realize how beautiful and clean it is. There's green grass, solid brickwork, a garden, a large fountain, and benches scattered invitingly around.
This is the gathering place, or hangout spot," he continued. "You can relax here if you like."
We passed by the three statues of the Archangels in the courtyard and were walking to the front door of the Academy.
As we approached the massive, ornate front doors of the Academy, two figures—staff, I presumed—materialized at the entrance, their smiles warm, but their eyes watchful. The doors creaked open with a sound like ancient hinges groaning, revealing not just a building, but a glimpse into another world.
The air thrummed with an energy I couldn't quite define, a mixture of excitement and apprehension that mirrored my own feelings.
"Welcome to the Academy," our guide announced as we stepped inside.
We entered the Main Corridor and gasped.
The ceiling was so high it was amazing, and a two giant sparkly chandeliers hung down, making the whole place glow. The walls were covered in fancy carvings, showing the building was really old and important. "From this Main Corridor," the guide explained, "three hallways branch off: left, right, and straight ahead.
The straight hallway ends at two grand staircases leading upstairs. Beyond those, another hallway leads to a massive, heavy wooden door—the exit and provides access to the training grounds." A palpable sense of anticipation filled the air.
The group split, and I found myself swept along with Hebrew. My heart hammered against my ribs; the sheer scale of the academy was breathtaking and intimidating.
The other group explored the right side of the hallway first; we were exploring the left.
As we walked further down the left hallway, the guide explained that the Infirmary, Psychic Pavilion, Marksman's Haven, Library, Restrooms, and Laboratory were located there.
Left Hallway of the Academy
Infirmary – This is a quiet room where sick or hurt students get better. It has comfortable beds and magic medicine. There's also a small garden outside the big windows where students can relax. It smells nice and calming.
Psychic Pavilion – This Classroom hones the innate psychic abilities of its students, exploring the multifaceted nature of the mind, body, and spirit. Students develop their powers through rigorous training and self-reflection.
Marksman's Haven – This Classroom trains Marksmen in accurate and skilled long-range combat. Students practice their aim on various targets in a large archery range, learning to utilize both conventional and magical ranged weapons.
Library – This is a huge room filled with books about magic spells, magic weapons and magic abilities. Some books are old and special. There are secret areas you can only find if you know how. It's a great place to read and learn.
Restrooms – These rooms are clean and comfortable, located conveniently throughout the academy. They have everything students need and are kept tidy.
Laboratory – This room is for different kinds of magic experiments. The potion lab has lots of bottles and ingredients. The plant lab has lots of special plants. Each lab has special tools and things to keep students safe.
Having finished exploring the left hallway, we proceeded to the right hallway, where we found the Grand Hall, Common Rooms, Portal Room, Mage's Tower, Swordsman's Citadel, Divine Sanctuary, and Astronomy Tower.
Right Hallway of the Academy
Grand Hall – This very large room has tall ceilings, shiny lights hanging above, and a stage at one end for performances and announcements. The smooth, shiny floor reflects the light. It's where everyone gathers for important events and serves as the dining hall, where meals are served.
Common Rooms – This is a comfy room where students can relax and hang out. There are comfy chairs and couches. There are also games to play. It's a fun place to be with friends.
Portal Room – This is a special room with magic that lets students travel to different places. It looks sparkly and swirls with colors. There are rules to keep everyone safe when they travel.
Swordsman's Citadel – This Classroom trains Swordsmen in close-quarters combat and swordsmanship. Students practice in a large hall with padded walls and dummies, learning about various swords and defensive techniques.
Mage's Tower – This Classroom trains Mages in elemental and spellcasting magic. Students learn to control fire, water, earth, wind, and other unique magics, brew potions, and understand runes.
Divine Sanctuary – This Classroom trains Priests and Priestesses in divine magic and spiritual practices. Students learn restorative magic, perform rituals, and study theological texts.
AstronomyTower – This is a tall tower with a place to look at the stars. There are big telescopes to see faraway stars.
After exploring the Left and Right Hallways, we were back in the Main Corridor, its magnificent architecture still breathtaking. You could almost feel the magic in the air, a reminder of what we'd found and what was yet to come.
Our guide gestured towards the magnificent Main Corridor. "Here," he pointed to the
Bulletin board around the corner, "you'll find all the important notices, announcements, and rules – everything you need to know!"
Suddenly, a young lady voice cut through the air.
"Excuse me," she said, her tone tinged with weariness, "but when does this tour end? These bags are so heavy!"
I had been so mesmerized by the Academy's breathtaking architecture that I hadn't even noticed the bags everyone was carrying.
The guide smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. "We're almost there! Just beyond this Main Corridor, you'll see two grand staircases – that's where the tour ends!" He pointed to the opening ahead, where we could already see the staircases through an Archway.
The weary young lady let out a small, relieved sigh. "Okay," she murmured.
As we walked out of the corridor, we found ourselves standing between the two grand staircases facing each other.
The guide continued, "Let me clarify the layout. The left staircase lies the path to your own private Dormitories! Each of you will have a comfortable, personal space to call your own."
He then pointed to the right staircase. "And to your right," he continued, "lies the Headmistress's office, the Tutors' chambers, and the staff rooms.
"Lastly, the doorway at the end of this hallway leads to a corridor that serves as the Academy's exit and provides access to the Training grounds," he announced, gesturing towards it.
The lady with the heavy bags sighed, relieved. "So, we can finally drop off these bags?" she asked politely.
"Absolutely! This concludes our tour. You are welcome to head to your dormitories now, unpack, and explore the Academy," the guide replied warmly, bowing and starting up the right staircase.
"Wow, look at this place!" Hebrew exclaimed, his voice full of amazement as we walked toward the left staircase.
The stairs themselves seemed grander than expected, winding elegantly upward. We were both carrying our bags, heavy with anticipation and excitement.
"I know, right?" I replied, my own excitement bubbling over. "It's unbelievable." We climbed the stairs slowly, along with the group of students from earlier, taking our time to absorb the atmosphere.
The air felt different here, charged with a subtle energy that tingled my senses.
Reaching the top, we found ourselves in a long corridor. Each door was clearly marked with a nameplate—a personalized touch that felt both surprising and strangely comforting. It was as if the Academy had been expecting us all along.
"They really did prepare for our arrival, didn't they?" I said, glancing around at the neat, orderly hallway. The doors themselves looked sturdy and well-made, each one promising a comfortable and private space.
"Looks like it," Hebrew agreed, his gaze sweeping over the hallway. He soon spotted his name, a small smile touching his lips. "Well, this is me. See you around!" he said, giving me a quick wave before disappearing into his room.
I continued down the hallway, my anticipation growing with each step. The personalized doors felt like a welcoming committee, each one a silent invitation to explore the mysteries within. Finding my own name, with a deep breath, I stepped inside, eager to see what awaited me.