Chapter 4 - The Letter

AN: Surprise chapter! My writing is going extremely well this week, and I should have 4 or 5 chapters done. As a result, I'm posting 4 chapters this week!
Author note at the end.

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Prologue:

These entries I pen upon vellum wrought with silver ink, that they may endure should the world forget. Let those who follow know the truth of what was broken, and why.

Chronicles of the Sundering: A Personal Record by Mine Own Hand by Archmage Elowen Thorne, Keeper of the Black Flame, Scribe of the Meridian Vaults

“I will be happy to convey your acceptance to his grace, the headmaster.” Paracelsus said.

“Is there anything, like, legal wise I need to be aware of?” Felix asked.

“At this time, no.” Paracelsus explained. “One of the electives you can choose to take later on will explain what a wixen living in the mundane world can expect. One of the items I would like to cover is secrecy. We have tried, time and time again, to live hand in hand with the noonies. To build a mutual life. It works, now and then, for a time, but it always ends in them turning on us. The Salem Witch Trials were the final straw for Merlin, when he severed the world, but even after that wixen have returned to the mundane world and tried to live with noonies. The most recent famous attempt was in China, just a few decades ago. Mao was happy to use them until he felt threatened by them. Then the purges started, and very few escaped.”

There was a moment of somber silence. Felix took a note.

Secrecy!

“On top of that, many people simply will not believe you. As Merlin changed the world, he introduced, ah, friction, for lack of a better word, to spellcasting. It is significantly harder to cast here in the mundane world than it is in Arcadia. Do not be thinking that you’ll immediately start casting grand feats of magic. You’ll be lucky if you can cast a basic light spell after your first year at Camelot. There’s quite a bit more on the topic, but that is better explored in the relevant class. At this point, I would recommend you to read your letter of acceptance, and I will do my best to answer any questions you might have.”

Paracelsus tapped on the envelope he dropped, and Felix dragged it to himself. There was a thick wax seal keeping it closed - an icon of a sword, a crown, and a throne were stamped into it. Felix carefully slid the wax off - probably only a few pennies, but they didn’t have any and ‘moldable, sticky’ could always be used to repair something - and slid the ornate letter out of the envelope.

Camelot College of Casting and Charmwork

Headmaster: His Grace, Duke Kaladin Thalorien of Avalon, Steward of Camelot, Protector of the Throne, Wizard-Governor of Corwin, Sorcerer of the Ninth Circle.

Dear Mr Sutter;

After careful review by the admissions circle and the inherent magic of Camelot, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Camelot’s College of Casting and Charmwork for the upcoming term. All necessary items are purchasable in Corwin, but you may bring any items you see fit for purpose. The term begins July 20th. The Prydwen will be departing at 10 am from the Port of Dreams on July 18th. We await your acceptance no later than June 30th.

We look forward to seeing your gifts develop.

Sincerely

Dame Elspeth Evenwood

Mistress of Scrolls and Seals

There was a second piece of paper inside.

Camelot College of Casting and Charmwork

Camelot is a year-round boarding school. Supplies are needed not just for academic classes, but for living at the college.

The list for first years are as follows:

Class Supplies:

1 wand, with an appropriate core

1 ritual slate

1 divination dish, silver

1 abacus

1 mirror, at least 14 centimeters radius

Books:

Foundations of the Aether: Magical Theory by Dr. Eloin Thatch

The Seeing Way: Scrying, Smoke, and Senses by Glynde Hallowick

A Wand in Hand by Garen Bane

1001 Practical Hieroglyphs by Orwick Vern

Total Geometry for the Beginner Ritualist by Fenwyn Moorlight

Flick and Swish: Charms for All Ages by Brenwick Blackwood

Everything You Need to Ace Logres History in One Big Fat Notebook by Elvira Epine

Campbell Biology by Neil Campbell

Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry Coursebook

A-Level Physics: OCR B Year 1 & 2 

Do note that books in bold are magical in nature, and must be treated as such.

The following supplies are available to students from the College, but they may bring their own.

1 compass

1 protractor

1 ruler

1 seeing glass

1 set of non-ferros carving knives

2 sets of combat casting clothing

Uniforms will be available for sale at Corwin. You may purchase yours during the first week. Uniform regulations are relaxed during that week. Different quality uniforms are available.

Once again, Camelot is a year-round boarding school. We recommend you bring the following:

Clothing: 

Casual wear for after class

Undergarments

Socks

Exercise clothing

Sweaters

Scarves

Winter robes

Boots

Comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

Bathrobe

Pajamas

Organization:

Bag or satchel. Backpacks prohibited.

All-in-one trunk

Linens and Laundry:

Towels

Optional:
Pillows

Pillowcases

Sheets

Mattress

Blankets

Laundry basket

Desk Supplies:

Writing implements. Quills and pens accepted, pencil is not

Notebooks, at least 8

Loose paper

Folders with pockets

Stackable desk trays or other organization

Toiletries, Beauty, Hygiene:

Soap

Hand soap

Shampoo

Conditioner

This letter is going to a boy, so I will reiterate: SOAP.

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Nail clippers

Hair implements

Razor

Cotton swabs

Tweezers

Comb

Brush

Soap

Misc:

Posters

Water bottle

Students with vision aids, please bring a second set

Umbrella

Other entertainment items, such as broomsticks and the like, are permitted. Please be aware that storage space is limited. Larger objects, such as bikes, are not permitted.

First years may bring secondary conduits, but not use them for class.

Camelot uses the service of brownies to help clean. Milk and honey will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you here.

Sincerely

Dame Elspeth Evenwood

Mistress of Scrolls and Seals

Every word, every line, of the second letter increased Felix’s anxiety. This was all going to cost so much money! A full scholarship was great, but if they couldn’t fork out the money ahead of time to go in the first place, it was all pointless. A tantalizing promise whisked away, being poor once again fucking him over.

Not everything was needed. A brush and a comb? Redundant. A year’s supply of soap? Fuck it, he’d start with less and try to get more later. School books? That’s what the library was for. The letter even explicitly mentioned some supplies would be provided.

Okay, okay. Options, possibilities. It wasn’t as bad as it looked. 

Felix looked up from the letter.

“I have so many questions.” He said.

Paracelsus tilted his head in acknowledgement.

“I am here precisely to help answer those questions.” He said. “Ask.”

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AN the end:
1) One of my betas wasn't familiar, so before anyone asks, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownie_(folklore) . It's not Camelot being insanely racist.

2) It's short. Turns out book names are actually super hard, I spent hours researching various books and experimenting with different names.

3) This was part of my 'eh they'll be short' series, later chapters are normal length