The world steadied after the portal's distortion, and when Zane finally blinked the dizziness from his eyes, his jaw went slack.
Ahead stretched a city within walls, and at its heart, the Academy itself rose like a dream carved into stone and light. Towering spires stabbed into the clouds, each etched with golden lines of magic that pulsed faintly like veins carrying living energy. Bridges of crystal arched between the towers, glowing faintly as students crossed them, robes and cloaks fluttering in the morning breeze.
Hovering platforms carried books, crates, and even people across the courtyards. Gigantic statues of armored figures stood guard along the outer walls, eyes glowing faintly as if watching the new arrivals. Above, shimmering wards floated like translucent domes, rippling as spells and magical creatures brushed against them.
Zane slowly spun in place, pointing at random things.
"Okay. Flying books. Glowy sky bubble. Giant statues staring into my soul. Yup. Totally normal. This is definitely not going to end with me screaming and running for my life."
Mira rolled her eyes. "Would you stop gawking? You look like you've never seen magic before."
"That's because I haven't! Well—" he scratched his cheek, grinning. "Not unless you count my shadow trying to eat bread the other night."
A group of students walked past, their fine robes shimmering with enchantments. Some glanced at Mira, others at Zane. Mira was used to the attention and ignored it with practiced indifference. Zane, meanwhile, gave one of the staring boys a lazy wave.
"Morning, fancy robe person. Love the sparkles. Do they come with a free unicorn?"
Mira groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're impossible."
As they moved closer, a bell tolled from somewhere deep within the Academy grounds. The sound wasn't just heard—it reverberated through Zane's chest, as if the entire world was reminding him that something was beginning.
He swallowed, straightening slightly despite himself. "So… this is it. The famous Academy."
Mira glanced at him from the corner of her eye. For once, he wasn't being sarcastic—his voice carried something else. Awe.
Then he ruined it.
"Do they have a cafeteria? I'm starving."
Mira sighed so hard it could've blown out a candle. "Unbelievable."
But despite her annoyance, a tiny smile tugged at her lips as the two of them stepped forward into the Academy's bustling entrance.