Safe Haven: Haverix

The swamp exuded a peculiar blend of fragrances, ranging from the sweet aroma of blooming flowers to the earthy, damp scent of musky mold. The shifting smells depended entirely on how close one ventured to the path's edge. Fortunately, the path itself seemed to repel the less pleasant odors, thanks to some kind of enchantment designed to purify the air along the walkway. It was a subtle, magical touch that allowed the group to focus on their surroundings without distraction.

As they ventured deeper into the swamp, the atmosphere grew even more enchanting. On either side of the narrow walkway, large trees loomed with thick, twisting trunks. Built into these trees were small alcoves that served as makeshift workspaces. Each alcove glowed faintly with warm light, revealing glimpses of their occupants.

Alex's attention was drawn to one particular alcove. Inside, a small woman darted back and forth with remarkable speed, her movements precise and efficient. She alternated between a cutting board, where she chopped and crushed various herbs and a bubbling cauldron that emitted wisps of colorful steam. The scents wafting from her workspace were a complex symphony of fragrant herbs, sharp spices, and something faintly metallic. It was mesmerizing to watch, but before Alex could linger too long, a soft voice whispered directly into his ear.

"Try not to make too much noise," Grace's voice instructed, though she hadn't turned around. It was as if the swamp itself carried her words. "These are the alchemy labs. Verdemire leads all of Haverix in the study of alchemy, and some say they're the best in the known universe. Any loud noise could ruin untold amounts of rare ingredients—some worth more gold than you'll ever see in your lifetime. If that happens, you might even be held responsible. So, I strongly advise you to stay quiet."

Alex quickly averted his gaze, focusing on keeping his steps soft and silent. The rest of the group seemed equally entranced and cautious, their movements subdued as they passed through what Grace had called the Alchemy Grove. The grove stretched on for what felt like miles, a labyrinth of interconnected tree alcoves and suspended walkways, each bustling with alchemical activity. Strange creatures, perhaps assistants or familiars, flitted about, delivering ingredients or tending to bubbling concoctions.

After about fifteen minutes of careful travel, the group emerged on the far side of the grove. Grace came to a stop and waited for everyone to gather. She gestured upward with a sweep of her arm.

"We have now transitioned from the Alchemy Grove to the dorms," she announced. "If you'd look up, you'll see the treehouses—your future homes."

Alex craned his neck, and his breath caught at the sight. Towering trees stretched into the sky, their branches forming a sprawling canopy. Nestled among those branches were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of treehouses. Each one appeared to be about the size of a two-car garage, with plain wooden exteriors that blended seamlessly with the trees. They seemed unassuming at first glance, but Alex couldn't help wondering what they looked like inside.

As the group stood gawking, they occasionally caught glimpses of students coming and going. A young woman in a flowing green robe climbed a winding staircase that spiraled around a tree trunk, while a man with a glowing staff emerged from another treehouse, a strange bird perched on his shoulder. The activity gave the area a sense of life and community.

Grace spoke again, breaking Alex's train of thought. "As you can see, multiple students are assigned to each house. But don't let the exteriors fool you—they're much larger on the inside than they appear. Each of you will find the location of your assigned treehouse in your system interface. However, you'll have to wait until after the tour to explore them. For now, stay focused and keep up."

She turned and began leading them further into the swamp, her stride confident and unyielding. The path narrowed again, bordered by bioluminescent fungi that glowed faintly in the dim light. As the group followed, Grace continued her lecture.

"This part of the walk will take some time, so let me share some more information and advice," she began. "If you're here in Verdemire, then your primary magical affinity will be tied to one of three domains: life, death, or nature. These are the core elements that define our college."

She paused briefly to let her words sink in before continuing. "While you might have talents in other magics, your primary affinity will always be one of those three. Your mentor, who will guide you through your studies, will share a strong connection to your primary affinity. For example, Hades specializes in death and fire magic, while Gaia excels in nature, life, and earth magic."

Grace glanced over her shoulder, her tone becoming slightly more serious. "Before you ask—no, your system doesn't know your affinity. Determining it requires a specific test and rare materials, which your mentor will provide. Remember, the system isn't all-powerful. Think of it as an assistant—a tool to help you, but not a substitute for your learning and effort."

Grace paused, allowing time for questions to arise. It didn't take long for someone to speak up.

"When will we meet our mentors?" a tall, freckled girl asked, her voice a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Mentors will introduce themselves over the next few days. You don't get to pick them, but they are chosen carefully to align with your affinities," Grace answered matter-of-factly.

"How do they choose us? Does the system help with that?" a boy with glasses followed up.

"No, the system doesn't help with mentor selection. It's up to the mentors themselves. They use a series of magical tests and their intuition to determine who they will teach. Trust me—they know what they're doing."

A shorter student with dark hair raised her hand timidly. "Are the treehouses safe? They look like they're just hanging there."

Grace smirked. "Perfectly safe. The magic holding them up is older than any of us. I've never heard of a house falling."

"What happens if someone steps off the path?" another voice asked nervously.

Grace's expression turned serious. "You don't want to know. The swamp is alive and doesn't take kindly to trespassers. You step off the path, you're on your own. Consider yourselves warned."

The group fell quiet at that, some casting nervous glances at the murky edges of the walkway.

"Any other questions?" Grace asked, her tone lightening slightly. When no one responded, she clapped her hands once.

"Good. Let's keep moving. We've got a lot more ground to cover."

With that, she turned and resumed leading the group deeper into the swamp.