Winter Ball: The Northern Academy

Chapter 2.1. The Winter Ball.

Every year, the Northern Magic Academy "Alpicem" held the Winter Ball, an annual celebration of Ancient Magic, much like in the two other academies founded by the Dragon Ancestors.

Long ago, when Arcanya was engulfed in eternal winter, the world lay frozen beneath a thick layer of ice, and humanity barely survived the harsh and frigid climate.

During this dark time, four dragons appeared in the human realm: Terragon, Eryolus, Marinex, and Pyroxx.

Emerging as if from a dream, they embodied the four elements — Terragon, the Earth Dragon; Eryolus, the Air Dragon; Marinex, the Water Dragon; and the wisest and oldest of them all, Pyroxx, the Fire Dragon.

By merging their magical streams, these ancient beings awakened Arcanya's dormant power, creating a mighty vortex of magic that drove back the eternal cold and ushered in a new era — the Era of Ancient Magic.

From then on, Arcanya transformed from a frozen wasteland into an oasis of warmth and enchantment, splitting the world into the perpetually cold, snow-capped North and the lush, life-filled South, with its warm oceans and diverse flora and fauna.

In gratitude to the dragons for their heroic deeds, the people of Arcanya established the annual celebration of Ancient Magic. The tradition of the Winter Ball was created in their honor, symbolizing the end of eternal winter in Arcanya.

The Great Dragons founded three academies where their descendants could learn magic and master their inner beasts.

**The Northern Academy**

At the foot of the towering Alpicem mountains, surrounded by snow, lies the Northern Academy "Alpicem," founded by Terragon, the Earth Dragon, and Eryolus, the Air Dragon. Here, not only earth and air dragons study, but also human mages specializing in domestic magic, along with witches.

**The Southern Academy**

To the south, along the endless ocean shores, stands the Southern Academy "Marsum," established by Marinex, the Water Dragon. This academy trains fire dragons as well as elf healers. The elves followed the dragons into the human realm and brought their knowledge of healing with them.

The exact origins of the elves in the human world remain a mystery, and from ancient times, the sharp-eared healers have guarded the secret of their arrival in Arcanya.

**The Capital Academy**

In the heart of the empire stands the Capital Academy "Imperial Hill," where the most talented elves and fire dragons receive their education. Upon completing their studies, they are sent to serve the emperor, providing strong protection for the palace and the Dragon Council's territories.

On the day of the Winter Ball, all of Arcanya's academies hold the ritual of elemental power merging, and songs of the dragons' great deeds are sung.

This celebration has become a symbol of unity, magic, and gratitude for the warmth and enchantment brought by the four great founding dragons.

***

Camilla took her friend by the arm, wrapping her fur-lined red cloak tightly around herself, and tugged her towards the exit.

It wasn't far from the dormitory, where the students of the Domestic Magic Department lived, to the main building.

"I don't understand why Max and Skye didn't meet us at the entrance," the brunette grumbled.

"It's not in the rules. You should have walked with one of our guys, then they'd have met you by the room," Aurora replied, pulling her soft coat tighter.

A few days before the Winter Ball, the black dragon appeared at their doorstep again.

Without asking for permission, he entered the room and laid out a magnificent silver gown and a light blue fur coat on Aurora's bed. Blue mink — a rare animal bred in the Northern lands and sheared in the South — was used to make coats worth as much as a decent house in the North.

After handing his companion the ordered artifact, Maximilian pointed to the items she was to wear and informed her that he and Skylar would be waiting for their ladies at the entrance to the main building.

While Aurora was lost in thoughts about the strange yet alluring dragon, Camilla huffed and quickened her pace.

Unlike her friend, her cloak was rather plain and didn't offer much protection from the cold.

"You know Skye is introducing me to his parents today. They need to be prepared first," her friend responded softly, nearly slipping on the snowy path in her uncomfortable shoes.

"I know, and I still can't believe you agreed to be an Amatrix. You do realize you'll be nothing more than a mistress, no matter how beautifully they dress it up. Skye will have an official wife, who will eventually raise even your child. And you'll live in a secluded quarter, waiting for the dragon to grace you with a visit," Aurora said sternly, locking eyes with the girl.

She still couldn't reconcile with her roommate's choice.

"Unlike you, Ava, I don't have a well-off family and a mage father respected even by the dragons," the girl stopped and glared angrily at the blonde.

"I'm just an ordinary mage from a poor northern family. If it weren't for the imperial scholarship, I'd be working in a tavern at the foothills. Being an Amatrix isn't such a bad fate for someone like me. I'm glad Skye's dragon marked me. My child won't go hungry, they'll get an education and status. And I'll live in my own house, not slave away in some tavern and freeze in a cramped little room. And you have no right to judge me!" Camilla pulled her arm free, not letting her friend say a word, and quickly headed toward the entrance of the Academy's main building.

Aurora sighed. Camilla was right; it was hard for her to understand her friend.