Chapter 22: The College Horizon

By: Asa Montreaux

As the winter semester unfolded at The Andrews School, excitement filled the air. The students immersed themselves in their studies, discovering the nuances of magic and honing their abilities. However, an undercurrent of curiosity began to circulate among the students about their future—specifically, what came after The Andrews School.

It all began one afternoon during lunch. The group of friends—Hugh, Eliza, Fiona, Sam, and Mish—sat at their usual table in the bustling dining hall, surrounded by the tantalizing aroma of roasted vegetables and simmering stews. As they dug into their meals, whispers about college drifted through the room, piquing their interest.

“Did you guys hear about the wizarding colleges?” Mish asked, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. “I overheard some seniors talking about them, and they sound amazing!”

“Really? What’s it like?” Eliza leaned forward, intrigued.

Mish set down her fork, clearly excited. “Apparently, they’re hidden within regular universities. I heard that Eldergrove Academy is actually located in Merton College at Oxford. It’s a secret program where they teach advanced magical studies alongside regular coursework.”

Hugh’s interest was immediately captured. “So, we’d be studying alongside non-magical students? That sounds intense. What do we have to do to get in?”

Fiona nodded, her mind racing. “Do you think they have classes on magical creatures? I want to learn how to communicate with them!”

Sam chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. “You mean you want to tame a dragon and ride it into battle? I can see it now—a fire-breathing Fiona leading the charge!”

The table erupted in laughter, and Fiona playfully rolled her eyes. “Alright, Mr. Dragon Slayer, I just want to know how to interact with them safely!”

Mish’s expression turned serious as she continued, “But how do we even get into these secret colleges? I think they look at our performance here at The Andrews School. The more spells we master and the more unique abilities we develop, the better our chances.”

Hugh frowned, considering. “So, it’s all about how well we do here, then?”

“Exactly,” Mish replied. “We need to start preparing now. We could focus on our strengths and even try to diversify our skills. If we know what they’re looking for, we can tailor our studies to fit, diversify in the right ways.”

Eliza chimed in, “Plus, we could get insight from upperclassmen who’ve applied before. They might have tips or insights into the application process.”

“Let’s do it,” Hugh said, determination etched on his face. “We can form study groups. If we all work together, we can tackle harder spells and help each other improve.”

Over the next few weeks, the group dedicated themselves to their studies, often staying late in the library, poring over ancient texts and scrolls. They practiced spells together in the quiet corners of the school, pushing each other to reach new heights. The camaraderie strengthened their bonds, and their confidence in their abilities grew.

As the semester continued, they learned more about the secret colleges through whispered rumors and snippets of conversations. The students discovered that each college had its unique focus and specialties, allowing students to concentrate on areas that intrigued them the most. There were programs for elemental magic, enchantments, potion-making, and even a study of magical ethics.

One afternoon, as they lounged on the grassy lawn outside, Mish brought out a brochure she had managed to snag from an older student. The cover depicted a stunning castle nestled in the heart of a vast forest, with students in robes practicing spells in the foreground.

“Look at this!” Mish exclaimed, her excitement palpable. “This is Eldergrove Academy. Just imagine studying there!”

The others gathered around, their eyes wide with wonder. The brochure detailed the various programs offered, emphasizing the hands-on experience that Eldergrove provided. “They even have an exchange program where you can study abroad in magical realms!” Mish read aloud.

“An exchange program?” Eliza echoed, her imagination soaring. “We could visit places we’ve only read about in books!”

Hugh flipped through the pages, absorbing the details. “This sounds incredible. But it’s still four years away. We have to stay focused on our current studies before we think about that.”

“But it’s nice to have something to look forward to,” Fiona said, her voice filled with hope. “It gives us a goal to strive for.”

As they passed the brochure around, each of them began to imagine their futures, filled with the promise of magic and the opportunities that lay ahead. They spent the rest of the afternoon discussing what their ideal paths would look like—Eliza dreaming of enchanting artifacts, Fiona imagining herself as a renowned magical creature expert, and Hugh envisioning a life of powerful spellcasting and exploration.

When the sun began to set, casting golden rays across the sky, the group packed up their things, each one carrying a renewed sense of purpose. They had four years to prepare for their next adventure, and they were determined to make every moment count.

As they walked back to the school, laughter mingled with the cool evening air, the friendships they had forged were becoming an unbreakable bond. They knew that whatever challenges lay ahead—both in their studies and in their personal lives—they would face them united by their shared dreams of magic and discovery.