The next morning, the academy buzzed with excitement. Students filled the halls in their crisp uniforms, their chatter bright and restless. The first-years in particular could hardly contain their energy—today was their long-awaited trip to the Everlight Market.
The Everlight Market was unlike any ordinary place. It glittered as though celebrating Christmas every single day. Strings of enchanted lanterns swayed in the air like captured stars, evergreen garlands twined around wooden stalls, and the smell of roasted chestnuts and spiced cider drifted through the cobbled streets. Shopkeepers called out cheerfully, their stalls overflowing with shimmering trinkets, spell-books, and enchanted sweets that crackled with sparks when bitten.
Every student was allowed to visit only twice a year—once at the start of the semester in early September, and again during Christmas week. For many first-years, this was their very first taste of the wider magical world beyond Grimswald's walls.
The Grimswald academic year itself followed a steady rhythm. Each new term began on the 1st of September. After the warmth of the Christmas and New Year holidays, examinations loomed in late January, stretching into February, with results announced in March. On the 31st of March, the students departed for their homes, their trunks packed with both memories and lessons.
But for now, all thoughts of exams were forgotten. Today belonged to the glow and wonder of the Everlight Market.
Like the rest of the students, Eirene and Lily woke up early, their faces glowing with excitement. After dressing neatly in their house colors, they hurried to the main hall for breakfast. Normally, many students would spread open The Arcane Gazette and skim through its enchanted headlines while nibbling their toast, but today the air was different. No one wanted to waste even a second on news—every conversation brimmed with anticipation for the market trip.
When Kalen entered the hall, his eyes instinctively searched for Eirene. He spotted her at the Phoenix House table, laughing softly with Lily, and a flicker of relief crossed his face. With quiet composure, he turned toward his own house table, passing near the professors' dais.
Just then, a familiar voice caught his attention.
"The ministry's judgment was exactly as you predicted, Headmaster," Professor Duskbane was saying, her sharp tone carrying across the hall.
Kalen's steps faltered. He turned his head slightly and saw her in conversation with Headmaster Aurelius, while Professor Maeron and six other staff members listened intently.
A jolt went through him—yesterday had been his father's hearing at the Ministry. His chest tightened. What was the judgment? Was he punished… or spared?
Heart pounding, Kalen quickened his pace and reached the Moonveil table. Without greeting anyone, he snatched up a freshly delivered copy of The Arcane Gazette. His eyes darted immediately to the bold front-page headline:
"King Ravencrest Cleared of All Charges — Declared Victim of Nightfire Glen & Calestra's Deception."
The words blurred for a moment as Kalen stared at them, his hand tightening on the edge of the paper.
The second headline glared back at him:
"Lucius Black Crowned as the New King of Calestra."
Kalen lowered the newspaper slowly, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he placed it neatly on the table and began eating his breakfast in silence, mimicking the easy chatter of those around him. But beneath the calm surface, a storm churned.
At the staff table, Headmaster Aurelius Dreymark's gaze lingered on the students, sharp and thoughtful. He turned slightly and spoke in a low, firm tone to Professor Maeron and two other teachers."You three will oversee the students in Everlight today. Though the market is safe… my heart warns me otherwise. The realm trembles with uncertainty, and danger often hides in celebration."
Professor Maeron inclined his head respectfully, though a shadow crossed his face.
As the breakfast chatter began to fade, Professor Maeron rose to his feet, his deep voice carrying through the hall."Students, prepare yourselves. We leave for Everlight Market shortly."
Excitement rippled instantly through the hall—chairs scraped, whispers flared, and students exchanged eager grins.
Following tradition, the procession was orderly: the final-year students led the way, tall and composed; the first and second years followed close behind, wide-eyed with anticipation; and the third through sixth years formed the line at the rear. Their chatter filled the corridor, footsteps echoing off the stone walls.
At the head of the group, Professor Maeron guided them toward a grand frame at the end of the passageway—a majestic Silver Phoenix, its wings outstretched in eternal flight, golden flames curling around its body.
He lifted his hand and pressed it gently against the painted feathers. The frame shimmered, as though alive with fire, and with a low rumble, the painting slid aside to reveal a wide, torch-lit passageway beyond.
Gasps of awe ran through the first-years. The air smelled faintly of old stone and glowing embers, and a soft draft seemed to whisper from the newly opened way.
"Stay together," Maeron said firmly, his eyes scanning the eager faces. "The Phoenix Path will lead us to Everlight."
With that, the students began filing into the passage, their excitement echoing like the first notes of a song against the ancient walls.
As the last line of students disappeared into the torch-lit passage, Headmaster Aurelius remained seated at the staff table, his fingers lightly drumming against the polished wood. His sharp eyes lingered on the shifting frame of the Silver Phoenix until it sealed shut once more with a low rumble.
Yet the unease in his chest did not fade. If anything, it deepened.
Professor Seraphina Duskbane, who had been gathering her notes, noticed the faint shadow across his brow. "Headmaster?" she asked softly, her voice carrying the lilt of moonlight, calm yet perceptive.
Aurelius straightened, his expression unreadable, though his eyes betrayed the weight of his thoughts. "Seraphina," he said quietly, "go with Maeron. If my fears are correct, one pair of hands will not be enough."
Seraphina's lips curved in the faintest of smiles, though her gaze sharpened like drawn steel. "You believe danger lingers in Everlight?"
"I believe," Aurelius replied gravely, "that danger lingers everywhere these days. But yes—the market is too open, too crowded. A single spark is all it takes for shadows to spread."
She inclined her head without further question. With a swirl of her midnight-blue cloak, Professor Seraphina Duskbane strode toward the Phoenix frame. The torches dimmed briefly as she passed, her presence commanding, as if the stones themselves bowed to her will.
With the Headmaster's blessing still echoing in her ears, she pressed her hand to the painted feathers. The frame shivered, then parted once more, releasing a soft rush of air from the passage beyond. Without hesitation, she stepped through, following the trail of students and professors already bound for Everlight Market.