Chast Vaughn squinted at the parchment-like letter in his hands, reading it for what felt like the hundredth time. The paper glimmered faintly in the sunlight streaming through the kitchen window. The ornate crest at the top—a sword crossed with a serpent curling around a seven-pointed star—shimmered like molten gold, almost alive.
VALVRYNTH ACADEMY
Pres. Zayn Valvrynth
Chast Vaughn,
Welcome to Valvrynth Academy, a prestigious school where Celestials come to discover and refine their hidden magics. At this academy, you must follow the Golden Rule:
"Use your powers for good, not for foolishness or evil."
Obey it, whether you like it or not. Violate the rule, and you will be stripped of the privilege to study at Valvrynth.
Enjoy your studies and life here at Valvrynth Academy! We are glad to welcome you as one of the Valvrynths.
Chast slammed the letter on the table as if it had personally offended him.
"What the hell is this?!" he barked, staring at his parents as if they had conjured it from thin air.
His father leaned back in his chair, puffing on a cigar like this was an ordinary Tuesday. "That letter," he said calmly, "is proof you're officially enrolled at Valvrynth Academy."
"Oh, is that so?" Chast scoffed. He waved the parchment dramatically. "This shiny Hogwarts invitation says I'm going to some magical prep school for 'Celestials.' Magics, Mom. Magics. Really leaning into this fantasy thing, huh?"
His mother chuckled softly, brushing crumbs off her apron. "You're going to study there. That's all."
Chast flopped back into his chair, dragging a hand down his face. "Please tell me this is a scam. Or a cult. Actually—no, don't tell me. I don't want to know."
"Oh, sweetheart," his mother said in that maddeningly calm tone, "just trust us."
Chast groaned. "You two are insane. I'll even book the doctor's appointment myself. Free of charge."
His father smirked, cigar smoke curling lazily around his head. "You've always been dramatic, Chast."
"And you've always been insane," Chast shot back.
"Sit," his father ordered, his voice sharp enough to cut through the tension. Chast froze mid-step and begrudgingly sat.
"Fine. Explain," he muttered.
His father leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, eyes suddenly serious. "Tomorrow, we leave for Labrynthia Dimension."
Chast blinked. "The... what dimension?"
"The Labrynthia Dimension," his father said. "A realm hidden between the folds of reality. Ordinary humans cannot see it, let alone enter it. Only Celestials know the paths. That is where Valvrynth Academy stands—and where you will discover your magic."
Chast raised a skeptical brow. "Magic boarding school in Narnia. Got it."
"Valvrynth has stood for over seven centuries," his father continued, ignoring him. "Founded by Zachary Valvrynth himself, to protect and train our kind. Its towers are built from stardust-forged stone. Its halls echo with enchantments older than kingdoms. The forests around it shift paths to confuse intruders. It is shielded by wards powerful enough to turn most mortals away."
His mother added softly, "The Academy itself is alive. It chooses its students."
Chast snorted. "Alive? What, do the hallways talk too? Should I watch out for homicidal staircases?"
His father's glare could have cut glass. "Mock all you want. Valvrynth is not a joke. It is where Celestials become warriors, healers, and guardians of both our realm and the mortal world. Magic is honed here... or destroyed."
"Destroyed?" Chast echoed.
"Many go to Valvrynth," his father said, leaning back with a puff of smoke, "but not all return."
The words hung in the air like a storm cloud. Chast shifted uncomfortably. "...Okay, now it sounds like a cult."
His mother reached out, squeezing his hand. "You'll be fine. You're not just any Celestial. You're..." She glanced at her husband.
"The strongest," he said firmly. "Stronger than anyone we've seen in generations."
Chast blinked, staring at his parents. "Right. And here I thought I was just a guy who can't even remember to feed the cat."
"Your potential is buried," his father said. "Valvrynth will uncover it. But only if you survive its trials."
Chast swallowed hard, glancing back at the glowing crest on the letter. The serpent's eyes gleamed faintly, flickering like living embers. A faint warmth tingled at his fingertips. He froze. "...Okay. That just happened."
His mother chuckled. "That's your magic awakening. Small signs at first. You'll learn to control soon."
Chast rubbed his temples. "Great. So my parents are crazy, I'm part-magic, and apparently I can accidentally make sparks fly. Perfect."
As he packed his bag for the journey, he muttered sarcastically with each item: "Wizard socks... check. Ordinary socks... check. Possibly-destroy-the-world accident spellbook... hmm, missing. Must have left it at home."
A shadow flickered across the window. Chast squinted. Something moved too fast to be ordinary. A chill ran down his spine. Labrynthia isn't going to be a normal school trip, he thought. This place... it's hiding secrets.
He leaned back, staring at the glowing letter one last time. Valvrynth Academy. Alive, ancient, dangerous—and now, his life.
Chast Vaughn drew a deep breath. The ordinary world was gone.
And tomorrow, he would step into a place where magic was real, power was dangerous... and everything he thought he knew about himself would change.