Page 3 of Traveler (Soulbound #1)
Aly
Looking up , I freeze Holy Christ on a cracker. This is the academy. Try a giant castle the size of Florida. In front of us is a large stone archway with the words ‘StoneBrooke Academy ‘etched into the top. Walking through the gates feels like stepping into a whole new world. Ha, get it. Cause I’m in a new world? No? Look if I don't laugh, I'll cry.
The path to the main courtyard is lined with stone arches. The courtyard itself is beautiful. In the middle, there’s this huge fountain—like really huge—and it’s not just water falling from it. The water shifts color as it falls, almost like it’s alive. Sometimes, it’s clear and bright, then it’s deep blue, then green, and I could swear it looks like there’s fire in it for a split second. The buildings surrounding the courtyard look like something out of a dream no pun intended.
They’re made of stone, and glass, all blending together in this perfect, almost effortless way. The stone is a mix of dark grays and earthy browns, and the walls are carved with these intricate designs—trees, waves, flames, and wind, all etched into the surface. It’s not just architecture; it feels like the whole place was made to reflect the four elements, each building embodying one of them.
The Earth building is made of thick stone and moss-covered roof tiles, like it just grew out of the earth beneath it. The Fire building is impossible to miss—it’s made from dark volcanic stone that almost seems to glow, with windows that have a dark tint to them.
The Water building is the most calming, with its glass walls that seem to ripple, giving off this almost liquid vibe. And then there’s the Air building, with its tall towers reaching into the sky, and the whole thing looks like it’s floating.
Beyond the buildings, there are open fields and ponds those must be the training grounds. I’m looking around taking everything in when I feel like I’m being watched. Yep no, that’s going to be a hard no for me.
Before I know what is happening, I’m being yanked to a building that sits off the main archway. Vivianne leads me through the doors and takes me to a small room off the entrance. The name Barrett Hastings is on the door in front of us, and a woman sits behind a desk typing on her computer.
“What do You want.” the woman says, looking at me with a sneer.
“Who pissed in Your cheerios.” Slips out before I can catch myself, and I hear a snort from Vivianne when the woman's eyes slide her way. She freezes.
“Oh, Ms.-” Before she can finish her sentence Vivianne cuts her off telling her we need to speak to the dean.
“One moment, I'll let Mr. Hastings know You’re here.” A blush creeps up her face. Poor girl, she looks like she's going to be fired. But then again, I don't know much about this place, so for all I know, she will be.
Not even a second later, the door on our left opens, and a large man steps out. He slams the door and stomps out of the waiting room. The Woman, er- Harlow, gets up and softly knocks on the door before poking her head in, she disappears for a moment before stepping in. when she returns, she is holding two folders.
“Mr. Hastings is busy with council business and needs to reschedule your meeting for the first day of classes, these are you’re your orientation packets I’m sure you can get yourself situated. I will send you a message on your tablets that have been left in your room with the day and time of the new meeting. Please let me know if anything is missing.” She turns and walks back to her desk effectively dismissing us. Rude.
Vivianne purses her lips, and I swear to God growls before turning and marching out of the doors. I race behind her trying to catch up.
Vivianne meets me outside and pulls me through the courtyard to a building with a Water symbol on it directly across from the office. Once inside, we go to the 4th floor and walk down to room 407. Grabbing the keys from the folder, she unlocks the door and pulls me inside.
Looking around, we have a bathroom and two large beds on either side of the room. Each side has a desk and wardrobe. On the far wall is a door leading to a balcony that overlooks a lake at the back of the building.
Vivianne picks up a tablet on her desk and types something out before looking to me. “I’m going to take a shower and change before dinner. I had it sent here for us so we can eat and then get some rest. I'm sure You're tired. “
When she turns and walks into the bathroom, I plop down on the bed closest to me. I pick up the tablet and click through some of the tabs. Messages, all of my professors are listed.
My first class is Water basics with Saul Jacobs
Earth Basics with Margie Lewis
Realm history with Alicent Mabel
Air basics with Lavender Valen
Defensive Magic with… no one? It doesn’t have. A teacher listed.
What about fire? I click through some more tabs to see if maybe I just missed it but find nothing. Weird. Maybe fire is something you learn later on?
The next tab click is an app that looks suspiciously like Instagram, I scroll for a while looking at all the new posts of people’s dorms with #moveinday. In every caption. When I click on my profile, I see it filled out for me
Alyssa James, 20 Taurus. Major undecided. The only thing missing is a profile picture. I slide off the bed and turn to face the window. Lighting. Snapping a few photos, I sit back down before flipping through and deciding on the last one. I look happy but not serial killer happy. You know what I’m talking about. The photos where you look back at them and your eyes are just a little too wide.
I spend the next thirty minutes putting away what clothes I have and unpacking the pictures and note from my mom before deciding to close my eyes. How long of a shower does this girl need to take.
Today has been amazing and exhausting. The only thoughts running through my mind as I drift off are, ‘Please don't let this be a dream. ’