Safe Haven: Haverix

Grace continued walking at a steady, purposeful pace for nearly 45 minutes, weaving effortlessly through the winding paths of the swamp. The group trudged along, some grumbling quietly at the seemingly endless walk, but Grace's voice cut through the murmurs with authority.

"There's a lot you need to know, so listen closely. I'm not going to repeat myself."

She began rattling off essential day-to-day details.

"First, laundry. There are enchanted wash stations in the dormitories—don't ask how they work; just know they'll clean your clothes quickly. Be respectful, though. Each house shares these facilities, and no one likes a laundry hog."

"Cooking? Optional but encouraged. The dining hall serves meals three times a day, but if you want something different, there are small kitchens in your dorms. For those who can't cook to save their lives," she shot a look back at the giant lizard man, earning a hiss of amusement, "stick to the dining hall. Trust me, you don't want to burn down your house on the first week."

A small ripple of laughter broke the tension, and Grace smirked before continuing.

"Cleaning is simple. Enchanted brooms take care of the common areas, but you'll need to clean your personal space. Treat the dorms with respect; this is your home now."

Her voice then shifted to something more serious as she touched on classes.

"Classes are where your focus needs to be. You'll have two core courses to start: 'Swamp Survival' and 'Basic Magic Introduction.' These are mandatory for all new Verdemire students, no matter how confident or talented you think you are."

Alex's ears perked up. Grace's explanation of the classes fascinated him.

"Swamp Survival will teach you how to navigate and thrive in environments like these without getting swallowed by the muck, poisoned by plants, or eaten by things bigger than you."

Several heads turned at that, murmuring nervously among themselves.

Grace continued. "Basic Magic Introduction will ensure everyone understands the fundamentals of spellcasting, regardless of background or experience. It's better to be humbled now than humiliated in the field."

She paused for effect, then dropped the information Alex had been eagerly waiting for.

"On top of these, you will be allowed to choose two elective classes each semester. Choose wisely. These electives will allow you to explore your affinities and build skills that suit your strengths. Whether you want to learn alchemy, beast taming, necromancy, elemental magic, or crafting; there's a course for everyone."

Alex listened intently, committing every detail to memory. Electives! That was what, really, interested him. What would he choose? Would he lean into the tank-like roles he'd always loved in games? Or would real combat be too different—too dangerous? He imagined himself holding a shield, defending allies against magical beasts and otherworldly foes. The idea thrilled and terrified him at the same time.

Grace continued, breaking through Alex's train of thought.

"Now, for those of you worried about changing your classes later—there's a transfer window. You'll have one month to solidify your schedules. After that, you're stuck. Be warned: classes don't wait for anyone. If you transfer late, you'll be catching up on your own time, and trust me, some professors aren't forgiving."

Lost deep in thought and still processing the flood of information, Alex didn't even notice when the lizard man in front of him abruptly stopped. Alex walked straight into his scaled back with a soft thud.

The towering lizard man turned his head slowly, his yellow eyes narrowing at Alex. For a tense second, Alex swore the creature was glaring at him. But he let out a low rumbling grunt, either amusement or dismissal, before facing forward again.

It was then that Alex noticed what had caused everyone to stop.

The sight took his breath away.

In front of them loomed a massive tree, its colossal trunk wider than any building Alex had ever seen, and he had seen the Superdome. It stretched skyward, disappearing into the mist above, its branches so vast they seemed to connect to the very fabric of the swamp. A faint glow pulsed within its bark, an ethereal light that flowed like veins of magic through the surrounding trees. Alex couldn't help but think of a heart pumping blood through a body, but here, it was pumping magic through the land.

Grace turned and gestured toward the tree with reverence.

"This is Yggdrasil. Well, not the Yggdrasil. That one resides in another world. What you're looking at is a seed of Yggdrasil, planted here when the University was founded."

She continued, her voice tinged with awe.

"It's been growing for as long as Haverix has existed. Drexxel Verdemire—yes, the same elf our college is named after—planted it eons ago to ensure the universe's balance. He, alongside a few others, founded Haverix trillions of years ago."

Trillions? Alex blinked in disbelief. That didn't even make sense. The universe he came from was only 13.7 billion years old—how could anything predate it?

Before he could voice his confusion, Grace continued, her tone matter-of-fact.

"Now, Verdemire is overseen by Gaia, and the University itself is managed by Vishnu. The entire place exists in a pocket dimension outside of known space. If you're wondering how that works—don't. Just accept it."

She began walking again, leading the group toward an enormous root that formed a natural bridge leading into a hole at the base of the tree. The opening was large enough to fit a small house. As they entered, the air grew warmer, humming softly with latent magic.

Once inside, the group rounded a divider and stopped. Before them was a spiraling ramp that wound upward around the tree's inner walls. The hollowed-out space was massive, with dozens of doorways, halls, and chambers built into the wood. It felt less like a tree and more like a sprawling city within nature itself.

Grace clapped her hands sharply, drawing everyone's attention.

"This is the heart of Verdemire. It's where you'll spend most of your free time. Here, you'll find dining halls, classrooms, study rooms, and even a few recreational areas."

She pointed upward, where faint lights glimmered among the spiral's upper levels.

"There are shops, market stalls, and an exchange board. If you complete tasks posted at the exchange, you'll earn points. Points can be used to buy almost anything—potions, weapons, armor, tutoring sessions, enchanted items, and yes, even pets."

A ripple of excitement passed through the group at the mention of pets and weapons. Grace smirked knowingly.

"This marks the end of our tour. I suggest finding some food and heading to your dorms soon. Tomorrow will be a long day."

Alex looked around the grand interior of the tree, still processing everything Grace had said. Points, electives, classes—it was so much to take in. As the group began dispersing to explore, Alex let his gaze linger on the spiraling ramp, wondering where his path would lead.