Twisted Wonderland (TWST)

The hall of the Academy of the Distorted Wonderland resembled the interior of a giant, long-forgotten mechanism: the vaults curved at unnatural angles, as if the space here had been grown rather than built, and the marble beneath one's feet was etched with patterns reminiscent of veins. A strange scent drifted through the air—a mixture of vanilla, ozone, and something tart, as if dried herbs were smoldering somewhere nearby. Light did not pour from above; instead, it seeped through narrow slits in the walls, falling across the floor in slanted, trembling stripes where dust motes swirled like tiny fireflies.

Coffins stood in neat rows throughout the hall—black, lacquered, and adorned with grotesque carvings: stylized images of playing cards, broken clocks, and inverted crowns were visible on the lids. The students had already gathered. One by one, they rose from their coffins, stretching and brushing the clinging petals of black roses and dried blades of grass from their robes. Some adjusted ties bearing their dormitory crests, some lazily snapped their fingers to test if their magic had waned, while others froze for a moment, listening to the strange echo that responded here not to footsteps, but to thoughts.

In the center of the hall, upon a dais, stood the Headmaster—tall, motionless, clad in a long cloak whose hem seemed an extension of the shadows. Beside him shimmered the Great Mirror, containing neither water nor smoke, but only fragments of phrases frozen in the air like forgotten dreams. From time to time, the mirror emitted a soft crackle, causing one of the upperclassmen to flinch, as if they had been called by a name they themselves could not remember.

—It is time for the final applicant.

The mirror spoke coldly and without emotion; its black mask amidst the smoke looked both beautiful and macabre.

—Of course! Please, join me in welcoming our final new student! Show us your face!

The Headmaster spoke, and as he extended his hand, magic flared within it, causing the coffin lid to begin opening. Then, it swung wide, revealing the one inside.

Welcome to Night Raven College! Come forth and introduce yourself!

The Headmaster spoke, a slight smile playing on his lips, awaiting your first step into this new and alien world.