Page 19 of An Arcane Education
I can only speculate, but it warms my heart to see the diversity amongst the new students, not just in age but in every visible aspect.
The seats fill rapidly, and as soon as the clock strikes seven, a severe-yet-elegant-looking woman in a navy blue pantsuit walks across the stage, the rhythmic tapping of her heels echoing as the room falls quiet. Her blonde hair is streaked with gray and twisted into an elegant updo.
“Welcome, new students, to Arcadia Academy,” she begins in a tone that commands respect, and there’s a round of applause. “I’m your Chancellor, Dr. Florence Aldrich, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here tonight. I’m here to provide you with information that will be essential to your time here as a student.”
An air of nervous excitement sweeps over the room.
“You are all here because you possess something rare and precious: the capacity to manipulate reality through will and knowledge. You are here because someone recognized that capacity and deemed you worthy of attending our prestigious institution. You are here because you have the power to be something extraordinary, to make a difference in our world.
“Arcadia Academy was founded centuries ago by practitioners who understood that magical education required structure, discipline, and above all, secrecy. The ordinary world is not ready for the knowledge of who we are or what we can do, and our existence here depends on maintaining that boundary between magical and mundane. Therefore, the first and most important rule is this: We do not reveal ourselves. We do not demonstrate our abilities to those without power. We do not jeopardize the safety of this institution or our fellow practitioners through carelessness or ego. The consequences for intentionally breaching secrecy are severe and nonnegotiable. Expulsion is the minimum penalty, with the likelihood of legal ramifications that extend beyond the Academy’s jurisdiction.
“Additionally, while the practice of magic unattended is permitted within reason, the use of magic to cause harm is expressly prohibited and will also result in expulsionand potential legal involvement. Under no circumstances is Dark Magic or Blood Magic permitted. Do not take these warnings lightly.”
The weight of the chancellor’s words is heavy upon the audience. She leaves a few seconds of silence for the severity to settle in, then continues.
“We expect complete commitment to your education here at Arcadia Academy. This is an elite, prestigious institution that is designed to challenge you and push you to your limits. As many of you are aware, the magical element of your education is organized around specialized tracks. These—” she gestures to the banners above “—are the seven Affinities.”
She begins with the one depicting a stack of books and a quill. “Classicists study the history and original languages of magic—Latin, Ancient Greek, Sumerian, others long dead to the mundane world but living here. They work with runes, written spells, and the deliberate construction of magical formulae through linguistic precision. If you're drawn to the academic study of magical theory and to understanding thewhybehind the power, this may be your path.”
Next, the color-coded image of a human brain. “Mentalists work with consciousness itself—thoughts, emotions, memories, dreams. They can sense what others feel, influence decision-making, construct mental shields, and otherwise interact with people’s minds. This track requires unusual discipline and strong ethical grounding. The mind is sacred territory, and those who trespass irresponsibly face consequences both magical and moral.”
The following banner is the colorful spiral eye. “Illusionists manipulate sensory perception. They create visual, auditory, and even sensory illusions. They're our artists, capable of making others experience things that exist nowhere except in the practitioner's intention. Defense against hostile illusions is also within their purview.”
The belladonna plant is next, and I hold my breath waiting for her to go into detail about my own Affinity. “Naturalists work with the living world—plants, animals, and the natural elements of this earth. They can encourage growth, communicate with non-human consciousness, and understand the patterns that govern natural systems.”
“And while Naturalists work with the living world, Materialists—” she gestures to the banner with the items levitating over an upturned palm “—manipulatenon-livingmatter. Through both mental and physical efforts, Materialists are able to manipulate physical matter at their whim. Knowledge of alchemy is tied deeply to this Affinity.”
Next is the crescent moon banner. “Generalists study broadly rather than deeply, taking from all tracks to become jacks of all trades. They're versatile, adaptable, capable of functioning across multiple magical specialties though masters of none. Many choose this path for its flexibility, particularly those intending to work in fields requiring diverse skill sets.”
“Lastly, we have the Special Operations track.” The final banner is the dagger. “These are our students who will take on arguably the most dangerous of careers in the magical world. This track focuses on combatives, espionage, gathering intelligence, and surveillance.”
The audience is rapt with attention as she continues.
“Many of you already know your Affinities, which will make choosing your educational track easier. For those of you who are unsure, you will have the opportunity to sample each track through your foundational courses. By the end of your first year, you’ll declare an Affinity and begin to take more specialized courses.”
I wonder what it might have been like had I discovered my magic earlier. What if I’d been like AJ, having had the shocking realization at seventeen years old instead of twenty-four? My entire life would be different, and my heart aches for what could have been.
“It’s important to remember that while your magic will be categorized, it is still unique. Each individual’s powers are unique in some way, and techniques that work for one may not work for all. While we know a significant amount of information about how magic functions, there are still many spiritual elements that we do not quite understand.
“All of this information is available in your student handbook, but I’d like to review a few key items. First, the ferries run on a regular schedule Friday afternoon through Sunday evening for those of you who need to leave the island for any reason. If you miss the ferry back for any reason other than a life-threatening emergency, it will result in a penalty on your record. It is your responsibility to keep time. There are a few small shops on the eastern edge of the island, outside the campus gates, and you are welcome to visit those at any time.
Secondly, please review the dress code in your handbook and dress accordingly. This is not a typical college, and we hold our students to high standards in all regards. On Saturdays and Sundays, you’re permitted to wearstreet clothes, but Monday through Friday, anytime you leave your dormitory, you are expected to adhere to the standards we’ve set. This means no sweatpants, pajamas, jeans, or T-shirts. Exceptions will only be made in specific courses; Special Operations students will wear all-black uniforms designed with their physically demanding courses in mind, and students working in lab settings are permitted to break dress code only for those courses.”
Wait,what? This was not something that was mentioned in my talks with Clara. Sure, there was a section in the introductory packet and the student handbook about dress code, but I had skipped over it. What kind of college doesn’t allow jeans and T-shirts?
Suddenly, I’m panicking again, trying to remember how many outfits I brought that actually fit the dress code. Not many, that’s for sure.
Chancellor Aldrich continues with information about student resources, information about who to contact about various concerns, and a reminder that there will be an extracurricular fair on the lawn in front of the castle on Wednesday. Finally, she concludes her remarks with encouraging words about how we’re all here to make a difference and reminds us that we’re all expected to strive for excellence, then dismisses us for the rest of the evening.
When I stand and turn to shuffle out of the auditorium along with the hundreds of other students, I spot Max striding out of the auditorium from her seat in the very back row. I’d forgotten she would be here, too.
Outside, the sky is dark and the temperature has dropped enough to make me grateful for my jacket. The cool sea breeze tousles my hair, and instead of making myway back to my dorm, I circle the auditorium, walking in the opposite direction of every other student, and do something I’ve wanted to do since I got here.
I make my way to the coast, following the softly illuminated pathway away from the campus buildings. The sidewalk curves to follow the cliffside, and a solitary bench sits just beyond it, between the path and the sea. Further down the path, just far enough to barely make out, is a set of smaller buildings separated from the rest of campus. Pulling out my map as I sit, I find the sectioned-off area and realize it’s the staff housing.
I return the paper to my bag and sit, breathing in the salty ocean air and lulled by the rhythm of the waves crashing against the jagged cliffs.
The sky is what calms me most of all, though. Out here, there’s no light pollution to dull it. Bright stars scatter across the inky sky, mesmerizing in a way that I can’t explain. It’s only here and now, tucked away on this small island, that the world feels infinite and full of possibilities. The vast expanse of the ocean and the sky fading into each other in the distant darkness provides some much-needed perspective on how small my own world really is, how inconsequential my problems are in the grand scheme.
