Frostbound Shadows

CHAPTER 6: Silvermist and New faces

Chapter 6: Silvermist and New Faces

The journey to Silvermist was long, winding through forests and over misty hills. As we approached, the academy’s towers loomed in the distance, shadowed by clouds, their spires twisting into the sky. Silvermist was exactly how I’d imagined it: grand, old, and exuding a strange, electric energy that seemed to vibrate in the air. It felt like stepping into another world—a place both beautiful and treacherous, as though the very stones of the academy held secrets.

After I completed the admission process, one of the school officials led me to the dormitory wing. The long halls were adorned with tapestries and paintings that depicted magical beings, battles, and ancient landscapes, each one more mysterious than the last. My heart beat a little faster with each step as I wondered what lay ahead.

Finally, we stopped at a door marked with the number “5.” The official handed me a key, and with a brief nod, left me standing alone. I took a deep breath and unlocked the door, stepping into what would be my home for the foreseeable future.

The room was larger than I’d expected, with a large window that overlooked the academy grounds and two beds set apart on either side of the room. My gaze shifted from the beds to the figure leaning against one of them—a girl around my age with short, fiery red hair and an expression that was as cool as my frost. She looked up at me, her green eyes flashing with curiosity before narrowing slightly.

“Oh, you must be the frost girl everyone’s whispering about,” she said, her tone half-amused, half-dismissive. “Name’s Rhea.”

She didn’t offer her hand, and I didn’t mind. I gave her a brief nod in return. “Elara.”

Before Rhea could say anything more, the door swung open, and another girl entered, carrying a stack of books that looked ready to topple over. She had dark, wavy hair that framed a soft face, and her eyes—warm, brown, and gentle—brightened when she saw us.

“Oh! You must be Elara,” she said with a warm smile, carefully setting her books down. “I’m Isla. I guess we’re all roommates now!”

Rhea rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything, while I offered Isla a small smile. There was a certain warmth about her that seemed to counterbalance the chill of my frost. I could tell right away that Isla was going to be the peacemaker in this room, and judging by Rhea’s aloofness, she’d have her work cut out for her.

I took the bed nearest the window and began to unpack, stealing glances at my new roommates. Rhea had already resumed reading a thick leather-bound book, her face set in a scowl that seemed almost permanent. Isla, meanwhile, was setting up her side of the room, her movements precise and graceful.

“So, you’re both new to Silvermist too?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“New, yes,” Isla said cheerfully, arranging a small collection of crystals on her nightstand. “I’ve heard so much about this place—it’s been my dream to come here since I was little.”

Rhea snorted. “You’ll lose that enthusiasm soon enough. Silvermist isn’t as glamorous as everyone makes it out to be.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? And how would you know?”

She looked up, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. “Let’s just say I’ve heard things. Silvermist has its dark side, and not everyone here is friendly.”

A silence settled over the room, the weight of her words hanging in the air. I had sensed as much, especially after the reaction I’d received at the gathering. But Rhea’s warning felt like more than mere gossip. There was a hardness to her gaze, an edge that hinted she’d seen something darker.