OUTCAST BY LOEY ANN

CHAPTER 3: Arrival at The Achaiviane Witches Academy

The gates of Achaiviane Witches Academy closed behind Astrid with a soft, echoing thud, sealing her entry into a world she had only ever read about in books. The campus sprawled before her like a living storybook. Gothic spires reach skyward, their shadows casting intricate patterns on cobblestone paths wounding through lush gardens and ancient courtyards. Each step she took echoed with the promise of magic and mystery.

Madame Lucinda guided her through the labyrinthine campus, pointing out various landmarks and buildings. “The Great Hall,” she said, gesturing to a vast, ornate structure with stained-glass windows that shimmered with scenes of legendary witches and mythical creatures. “You’ll have your meals and many of your gatherings there.”

As they walked, Astrid couldn’t help but notice the other students. They moved with an air of confidence, their robes flowing like water around them. Some glanced her way, their expressions ranging from curiosity to thinly veiled skepticism. She pulled her plain cloak tighter around her, feeling the familiar sting of being an outsider.

Their tour concluded at a tall, imposing building that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. “This is your dormitory,” Madame Lucinda said, her voice softening. “Your room is on the second floor. It takes some time to settle in. Classes start tomorrow.”

Thank you, ma’am,

Astrid said, clutching her satchel tightly as she ascended the winding staircase. Her room was small but cozy, with a large window overlooking the sprawling grounds. She placed her few belongings around the room, trying to make it feel like home. As the afternoon light faded, casting long shadows across the floor, she sat by the window, watching the sun dip below the horizon.

That evening, a soft knock on her door startled her from her thoughts. A girl with chestnut hair and a warm smile stood in the doorway.

“Hi, I’m Aurora,” she said, extending a hand. “I’m your roommate.”

Astrid shook Aurora’s hand, relieved to find a friendly face amidst the sea of unfamiliarity. They spent the evening chatting, Aurora’s cheerful demeanor easing Astrid’s nerves.

Aurora spoke of her family, excitement about the academy, and favorite spells. Astrid shared snippets of her own life, carefully avoiding the darker aspects of her past.

The next morning, the academy buzzed with energy as students filled the corridors, heading to their first classes. Astrid’s schedule was packed with subjects that both excited and intimidated her. Enchantments, Potions, Magical Creatures, and more. Her first class, Introduction to Spell casting, was held in a grand lecture hall with high ceilings and rows of wooden desks.

Madame Sabrina, the headmistress, presided over the class with an air of authority and grace. Tall and imposing, with silver hair that flowed like a river down her back, she commanded attention with a mere glance. “Welcome, students,” she began, her voice resonating through the hall. “You are here because you possess great potential. Our goal is to help you harness that potential and use it to maintain the balance of the universe………………..”

Astrid paid close attention, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The lesson was demanding, filled with complex spells and detailed enchantments that required intense focus. No matter how hard she tried, she found herself struggling to keep up with the rest of the class. Her wand felt unsteady in her hand, and more often than not, her spells fizzled out rather than bursting to life.

As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, Astrid slowly adjusted to the academy’s rhythm, falling into the daily routines and expectations. But despite her determination, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place. Her classmates seemed to master the lessons far more easily, while she wrestled with the simplest spells. Each failure weighed heavily on her, but she pushed on, refusing to give up. Though progress was slow, Astrid remained hopeful, knowing that every struggle was part of her journey toward something greater.

Suddenly, rumors began to spread about Astrid's life outside the academy, how she wasn't born naturally but through the help of a sorceress, and how she was neglected in her hometown. This caused another phase of stigma for Astrid, and she was pained. She couldn't believe she was back to living the life she thought she was over with. Even her roommate, who seemed to like her on her first day, distanced herself from her. This broke Astrid down, but there was nothing she could do other than confide in books.

One day, during a break between classes, Astrid wandered the academy grounds, seeking solace in the quiet corners and hidden nooks. She found herself in the library, a vast, cavernous space filled with shelves that seemed to stretch into infinity. The scent of aged parchment and ink filled the air. Here she felt a sense of peace settle over her.

She spent hours perusing the ancient tomes, losing herself in tales of legendary witches and their heroic deeds. Indeed, the library was her safe space because she found freedom and peace locking her mind up in the cell of written words. She didn’t yet understand the full extent of her destiny, but she knew one thing for certain. Her journey was just beginning, and the true test of her strength and resilience lay ahead.