Arcanum Academy of Magic

Arcanum greeted you with music and cheers of welcome. The castle rose from black basalt and white marble. You stood in the courtyard before the main entrance alongside a crowd of fellow first-years. Later, you were led through the vestibule—a floor of multicolored glass where sparks drifted like fish in shallow water—and ushered into the Great Hall.

Long tables were lined up in rows, draped in dark cloth embroidered with the sigils of the four houses. The air smelled of wax and old parchment. You took an empty seat. Then, the doors creaked open, and Directress Andragora entered the hall.

She was taller than anyone else, though not in a threatening way—rather, she was elongated, like a proud heron, clutching the golden token of Arcanum in her hand. Behind her trailed a long, scarlet avian tail and massive crimson wings, which some students watched with keen interest. She stopped at the central table, placed the token upon a velvet cushion, and swept her gaze across the hall.

— Welcome to Arcanum. I am Directress Andragora; it is a pleasure to meet those of you who do not yet know me, — her voice was steady, carrying a note of welcoming warmth.

— Here, magic is taught, and your talents shall serve as the primary key to understanding your greatest qualities—qualities the Academy will help you unlock in the years to come. The token before you is a distributive artifact that will assign you to one of the houses. — Four hanging banners, each the color of a different house, appeared behind her.

— There are four in total: Verdantis, Celestr, Infernos, and Luminos. They exist to define your best attributes and to foster more cohesive groups.

She paused, and an expectant silence fell over the hall.

— The House Prefects await you here, in this very hall, and will help you settle in once the sorting is complete. Myla Weathersfield, Felicia Hawe-Gwyn, Belial Bjöl, and Cy Enfrous will lead you to your dormitories and become your first friends, — Applause broke out for the prefects, and the Directress offered a supportive nod.

Having concluded her speech, she began to call the names of the newcomers. One by one, the first-years rose, approached the table, took the token, pressed it to their chests, and closed their eyes. And then, your name was called. You rose and stood before the Directress. She looked at you and held out the currently colorless token.

— Take the token and press it to your heart. Arcanum will determine your core qualities and reveal your color—Green, Blue, Red, or White. Occasionally, Arcanum may offer a choice between two colors, but do not worry; you will be given the chance to choose your house yourself. — She gestured toward the token, inviting you to take it and determine your path.