Transformative Nights

Enrolled

The door to Jonathan’s room closed softly behind me, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The night air whispered through the hallway, carrying the faint scent of moonlight on stone. Stretching my shoulders, I stepped outside and allowed my form to shift. My body lightened, my limbs reshaping as feathers burst forth, black as obsidian. The transition was smooth, a practiced motion I had repeated countless times over the centuries. Within seconds, I was airborne, the wind catching my wings as I took to the sky.

Flying always gave me a sense of freedom, a reminder that for all the constraints of this world—its secrets, its politics, its battles—I could still rise above it, quite literally. Below, the land unfurled like a patchwork quilt, dark forests blending into glittering cityscapes. My destination was a shining jewel on the horizon, a testament to my vision and persistence: Aurum Arcanum Academy.

The school rose like a castle out of the landscape, its five stories crowned with elegant spires that reached toward the heavens. Each level was an architectural marvel, designed to inspire awe in students and visitors alike. Gleaming white stone walls were accented with grand arched windows, their intricate latticework glinting in the moonlight. The expansive grounds surrounding the school included manicured gardens, a serene lake, and ample outdoor spaces for a variety of sports. Fields for soccer, tennis, and track sprawled alongside areas for more niche activities like archery and equestrian practice. It was a school built to foster excellence, both for the wealthy human students who attended its public facade and for the magical prodigies who studied in its hidden depths.

I landed on the sill of an open window on the fourth floor, my claws gripping the smooth stone as I surveyed the empty hall within. Satisfied that no one was present—though I wouldn’t have been surprised if one of the nosier staff members had lingered—I shifted again. My crow form dissolved, replaced by a lithe human figure. This time, I assumed my female form, a striking woman with long, inky-black hair that cascaded down my back, and bright, piercing eyes that could unsettle even the most composed onlooker. The elegance of this guise was intentional; it allowed me to move in spaces where subtlety was paramount. No one questioned beauty—they admired it, underestimated it.

The hallway was silent at this hour, the human students long since tucked into their luxurious dorms. Yet I remained cautious as I moved through the halls. The marble floors reflected the soft glow of the moon streaming through the tall windows, and the faint hum of magical wards reassured me that the school’s secrets were secure.

The true heart of Aurum Arcanum Academy lay beneath its impressive exterior. Hidden entrances scattered throughout the building led to an expansive, enchanted space underground—a labyrinth of classrooms, training grounds, and libraries dedicated to magical studies. The magic imbued in the foundation allowed the hidden school to be infinitely larger than the structure above, a pocket dimension of sorts where magical students could thrive away from prying human eyes.

I made my way to the head office, my heels clicking softly against the polished floors. Sitting at the grand mahogany desk, I began the paperwork necessary to officially enroll Jonathan. I worked efficiently, my pen gliding across the pages as I completed his dual registration. On the surface, he would be listed as an assistant to the Headmistress of the normal school, a position that would grant him access to nearly every area of the campus without raising suspicion. Privately, he was also registered as a student in the magical academy, where he would begin his formal training.

His age, slightly older than the average student, wouldn’t matter in the magical courses where abilities took precedence over birth years. For the human school, however, being an assistant provided him with plausible standing among the younger crowd while ensuring he wouldn’t stand out unnecessarily.

With a satisfied sigh, I placed the completed documents in the appropriate files. Everything was in order. Jonathan’s presence would raise no alarms, and his education would progress without interference. Leaning back in the chair, I allowed myself a moment of reflection.

The road ahead would be challenging for him, no doubt. The world he had stumbled into was vast and fraught with danger, but he had potential. His stubborn will, while irritating, was also a strength that might someday serve him well. If he could survive the trials to come, he might prove to be more than just another recruit.

Rising, I smoothed down my tailored dress and left the office as quietly as I had entered. The night was still, the school serene under the watchful gaze of the moon. I shifted back into my crow form, my wings slicing through the air as I left the academy behind. In the stillness of flight, I allowed myself a small smile.

The night air was crisp as my wings carried me away from the school. This time, I wasn’t heading home but to a nearby village to meet a potential magical student. Word had reached me of her unusual aptitude, and if I moved quickly, she might be convinced to take the test—and, if successful, enroll at Aurum Arcanum Academy.

The journey wasn’t long. The village came into view under the moonlight, its humble houses scattered along narrow, cobblestone streets. I landed on the edge of a garden wall and shifted back into my female form, my dress flowing elegantly as I stepped into the shadows. Nearby, Adeline, the shaman accompanying me tonight, waited patiently. Her soft green hair framed a delicate face, and her matching eyes radiated warmth. Adeline was a stark contrast to Rose’s sharp wit; she was a calming presence, gentle yet firm, and more approachable for younger recruits.

“She’s just inside,” Adeline said, nodding toward a modest stone house with flower boxes under the windows. “Her parents are unaware of her abilities, but she’s been showing signs. This should be straightforward.”

I nodded. “Let’s see if her potential is worth nurturing.”

Together, we approached the door, and with a quick knock, I composed myself. The door creaked open, revealing a short girl with an innocent face and light hair that shimmered in the dim glow of the lantern inside. Her wide, curious eyes darted between Adeline and me.

“Good evening,” I began, my tone smooth and practiced. “My name is Chai-Hao, and this is Adeline. We’re here because you’ve been identified as someone special—someone with rare potential.”

The girl tilted her head, curiosity flickering behind her cautious demeanor. “What do you mean, potential?”

Adeline stepped forward, her calming presence easing the tension in the air. “It means you might be capable of magic,” she explained gently. “We’re here to guide you through a test to see if it’s true.”

“Magic?” the girl whispered, her voice tinged with awe and disbelief.

I nodded. “Magic. But I’ll need your consent to proceed. This is entirely your choice.”

I deliberately omitted the part about the pain. If I mentioned it now, her nerves might take over, and hesitation could make the trial harder than it needed to be. Instead, I focused on her intrigue, leaning slightly closer as I added, “If you pass, you’ll have access to a world of abilities most people can only dream of.”

The girl hesitated, glancing back into her home, where her parents’ voices carried faintly from another room. “And if I fail?”

“Then nothing will change,” I assured her, my voice steady. “You’ll go back to your life, just as it is now.”

That seemed to settle her. She nodded firmly. “I’ll do it.”

Adeline gave her a reassuring smile, and together we led her to a secluded spot behind the house. Under the open sky, Adeline prepared the necessary tools for the trial. A circle of faintly glowing runes formed around the girl as she stood at the center, her expression now a mix of nerves and anticipation.

Adeline knelt beside her, her voice soft as she explained what would happen. “This test will ask questions of your mind and your soul. All you need to do is trust yourself and answer honestly. I’ll be here to help guide you, to make the process as smooth as possible.”

I stood a few feet away, observing as the trial began. Adeline’s presence was invaluable here; her ability to soften the pain and steer the girl toward clarity was unmatched. Rose and I had observed Jonathan’s trial from a distance, Rose was supposed to do the same as Adeline but Jonathan surprised us both with his resilience. Now, Adeline worked with care, her green eyes glowing faintly as she channeled energy into the runes, calming the girl and bolstering her resolve.

The girl’s face twisted in discomfort throughout the trial, but Adeline’s soothing words kept her grounded. Slowly, the questions came, testing her instincts, her will, her understanding of herself. Each answer deepened the glow of the runes, a sign that she was progressing.

Finally, the circle flared with bright light, and the girl gasped, her eyes wide with realization. “I... I passed?”

“You did,” Adeline said, her voice warm with pride.

I stepped forward, allowing a genuine smile to soften my usually stoic expression. “You’ve proven yourself. You have the potential to wield magic.”

The girl beamed, though exhaustion began to creep into her features. “What happens now?”

“Now,” I said, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder, “you’ll train. You’ll learn to control your abilities. I run a school where gifted students like you can flourish.”

Adeline chimed in. “To your family and friends, it will seem like you’ve been accepted on a scholarship to a prestigious school. But beneath that, you’ll study magic in a safe and supportive environment.”

The girl’s excitement was palpable as she nodded eagerly. “I’ll do it.”

“Good,” I said, stepping back. “You’ve made the right choice.”

Her parents, of course, would believe she had been scouted for the prestigious Aurum Arcanum Academy, a beacon of elite education for the wealthy. They didn’t need to know about the vast, enchanted world hidden beneath its foundation.

As Adeline helped the girl inside to inform her parents, I remained in the garden, gazing at the stars. Another step forward in preparing the next generation. Another spark added to the flame that would one day challenge the forces working to suppress our kind. I spread my wings once more, the night calling me back to the skies.