The towering gates of Drakthorin City slowly closed behind them, the sound of the creaking hinges fading away as Finn and Enzo walked down the stone path leading out of the city. The city’s vibrant energy seemed to linger in the air. A little while later, they walked into the heart of Drakthorin, both feeling amazed. The city spread out in front of them, a mix of old and new buildings, trees, and art. Some parts looked very modern, while others were ancient and full of history. Finn quickly looked around, taking in everything with wide eyes, while Enzo, who liked to enjoy a place quietly, stood still and let the lively sounds and colors of the city surround him. The river sparkled in the sunlight, flowing through the city like its heart, with tall, mysterious mountains in the distance, their tops hidden in mist. Forests and green spaces surrounded the city, reminding them that nature was still a big part of life, even in the busy city. It was a place where the past and present, nature and people, all seemed to come together.

  “What do you think?” Finn asked, his voice full of excitement as he looked at the tall glass buildings next to the ancient stone structures.

  “It’s... overwhelming,” Enzo replied, his voice calm but thoughtful. He kept his eyes on the colorful homes to their right, each one unique and full of character. “In a good way.”

  They walked further into the city, and every street showed them something different. The buildings were unlike anything they had ever seen, a mix of styles that seemed to honor both the past and the future. Some parts of Drakthorin looked old, with tall spires and huge temples, while other areas were modern, with clean designs and open, spacious areas. The streets were full of art—murals, sculptures, and bright paintings everywhere they looked. To Finn, it felt like walking through an outdoor gallery, with each wall telling a story and each piece showing the heart of the city.

  “Look at this,” Finn said, pointing excitedly at a huge sculpture of a dragon in the middle of a park. The details were so fine, it almost looked alive. “This place doesn’t hold back.”

  Enzo laughed softly, shaking his head with a smile. “Yeah, it’s like the city is a piece of art itself, always changing.”

  They kept walking, and soon the sounds of music reached their ears. A street band was playing lively tunes, the rhythm pulling them forward like a wave. Finn grinned and tapped his foot to the beat, while Enzo was drawn to the sound of a dance troupe performing in a nearby square. It felt like every corner of Drakthorin was alive with celebration, showing the joy of living.

  The food was just as varied as the people. Stalls lined the streets, each one filled with bright colors and tempting smells that made Finn’s stomach rumble. He stopped at one stall, his mouth watering at the sight of Beastroot Pie coming out of the oven. The rich aroma hit him first, and without thinking twice, he turned to Enzo.

  “I think I’m going to try this,” Finn said, holding up the pie with a grin. “You in?”

  Enzo raised an eyebrow but smiled. “Why not? This place is all about new experiences.”

  They grabbed their food and kept walking, weaving through the busy crowds. As they passed more stalls, they couldn't help but be curious about the unique dishes from different regions: spicy stews, sweet pastries, grilled meats, and sizzling skewers. The food was as much a part of the city’s diversity as the buildings and artwork around them.

  They wandered into a central square and saw the preparations for the Festival of Beasts and Wonders. Bright banners fluttered in the breeze, lanterns hung from the trees, and flowers were being arranged in every corner. Finn’s eyes lit up with excitement, and Enzo couldn’t help but feel the growing sense of anticipation.

  “The Festival of Beasts and Wonders,” Finn said, almost out of breath. “This is going to be incredible.”

  Enzo nodded, his curiosity growing. “Sounds like a celebration of everything this city stands for—its cultures, its myths, its art.”

  The festival was going to be huge—performers dressed as mythical creatures like fire-breathing dragons and winged beasts, acrobats doing gravity-defying stunts, and fire-eaters performing tricks that would make anyone's heart race. As night fell, fireworks would light up the sky, and glowing lanterns would float gently down the river. The whole city would come alive with music, dance, and celebration. Finn and Enzo could already feel the excitement buzzing through the air.

  “This is just the beginning, isn’t it?” Finn asked, his voice full of wonder.

  Enzo smiled, taking in the preparations. “Definitely. Drakthorin has a way of making everything feel bigger, more alive. And we’re here for it.”

  They walked towards the Arcane Academy, and as they got closer, they noticed the tall arch above the entrance. It had the school's symbol on it—an open book with wings, glowing softly in the light. Seeing it made them both stop for a moment, realizing the importance of the place they had reached. It reminded them of the power and knowledge inside.

  "Welcome to the Arcane Academy," Finn said, his voice filled with respect, though his eyes showed both wonder and a bit of nervousness. "I never thought we’d make it here, Enzo."

  Enzo smiled. "I always thought it’d be a bit... quieter. But look at all these people rushing around, casting spells like they're running a market."

  The academy was huge, with hundreds of towers and domes stretching in every direction. People hurried through the courtyard, some carrying scrolls, others with glowing orbs floating beside them, and a few with magical animals following them. The air buzzed with energy, and in the distance, they could hear the sounds of spells being cast from open windows.

  Just as they were about to enter the main hall, a group of students appeared in front of them. They wore bright blue and silver robes and had mischievous smiles on their faces.

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  "Well, well, what do we have here?" one of the students said, his voice playful but friendly. He was tall, with messy dark hair and a charming attitude. "Newcomers, huh? Fresh out of Elyndor?"

  Finn and Enzo looked at each other, then Finn nodded and introduced himself. "I’m Finn, and this is Enzo. We’ve just arrived. We're from the Arcane Academy of Elyndor."

  "Ah," said another student, shorter with a spark of mischief in his eyes. "Elyndor, huh? The academy that says it knows everything about magic but still can't make a simple fireball fly right. Do they teach you how to fall gracefully when your spell backfires?"

  A few students nearby laughed, clearly enjoying the teasing. One girl with curly brown hair added, “I bet the first thing you'll learn here is that no one, and I mean no one, gets through a semester without a good prank. You're on our turf now. Consider this a... welcome.”

  Before Finn or Enzo could respond, the students spread out around them, blocking their way. A sudden breeze swept through the courtyard, making Finn’s hair spike up in all directions.

  “Oh no,” Enzo muttered under his breath, a smirk appearing on his face. “I think we’re about to be initiated.”

  "What's your favorite color, Finn?" the tall student asked, his grin widening.

  "Blue," Finn answered cautiously, feeling a bit uneasy.

  "Blue it is," the student said with a snap of his fingers. “Go ahead, mate—just stand still for a moment. We’ll take care of the rest.”

  Before either Finn or Enzo could react, the students waved their wands in unison, murmuring something under their breath. The air around Finn shimmered, and in seconds, his robes—once spotless—changed. They became a brilliant, almost painful shade of electric blue, glowing like sunlight reflecting off water.

  “Lovely shade on you,” the girl with curly hair giggled. “But it’s not quite finished yet.”

  Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the air, lifting Finn’s hair into a wild mess. His bangs flew up in every direction, looking like a magical bird’s nest. At the same time, Enzo found himself surrounded by a strange sparkling glow, as if he had been dusted with glitter. Every step he took left a faint trail of silver sparks behind him.

  "You're both looking fantastic," the short student said with a playful wink. "You've been properly introduced to Drakthorin’s ‘atmosphere.’ Now, onto the next stage."

  “What—?” Enzo started to ask, but before he could finish, a loud BOOM echoed from behind them.

  A thick cloud of colorful smoke suddenly exploded above their heads, surrounding them both. When the smoke cleared, their robes had changed again. This time, they were covered in animated, swirling runes, making it look like Finn and Enzo were walking magical billboards. The symbols spun and twirled around them, occasionally flashing brightly.

  “What is this? A circus?” Enzo groaned, though a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

  The group of students burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the chaos they had created.

  The tall one, who seemed to be the leader, slapped Finn on the back with a hearty laugh. “No worries! It’ll wear off. Probably. Just a little fun to remind the newbies that you're here to learn—but also to laugh. We all had our first day, too.”

  Finn shot him a side glance. “I don’t think I’ll forget my first day here anytime soon.”

  “That’s the point,” the girl with curly hair said, grinning. “The first prank is always the hardest to recover from, but once you get through it, you’re one of us. You’ve been ‘touched by the Academy.’”

  Enzo let out a dramatic sigh. “Well, now that we’re ‘officially touched,’ what do we do now?”

  “Now, you get a tour,” the tall student said with a wink. “Come on. We’ll show you the best spots to really mess with your fellow students. It’s all about having a little fun before the real studying starts.”

  As they walked through the grand archway into the heart of the academy, Finn and Enzo couldn’t help but feel a different kind of energy in the air. The usual rush of students hurrying to their classes was still there, but today something felt more alive. The courtyard was buzzing with excitement, filled with students carrying banners, decorations, and magical supplies. Colorful fabric lined the stone paths, and soft, glowing lights floated above them, giving the whole academy a warm, magical glow.

  “What’s going on here?” Finn asked, his eyes taking in the scene.

  “Oh, you’ll see,” the tall student said with a grin. “It’s the Festival of Beasts and Wonders—the biggest event of the year. It’s a big tradition here at Drakthorin. Students and faculty prepare for weeks. Some of us even start planning our pranks months in advance, just to have a little fun during the festival.”

  The Festival of Beasts and Wonders was an annual event that everyone at the academy took part in. It was a time for students to show off their magical skills in creative—and often strange—ways. The name was a perfect fit for the event, as it combined magical creatures, enchanted artifacts, and incredible displays of talent and illusion. It was said that the festival was only rivaled by the magical history of Drakthorin City itself.

  Enzo’s eyes grew wide as they walked past a group of students setting up a giant, enchanted cage. Inside, a shimmering, multi-colored creature floated lazily in the air—half bird, half dragon. Its wings folded and unfolded with every movement, sending ripples of light across the courtyard.

  “Is that a real creature?” Enzo asked, a mix of awe and curiosity in his voice.

  “Partly,” the girl with curly hair replied. “That’s a blend of a phoenix and a wyvern, called a 'Pyrahar.' It’s one of the most popular attractions at the festival—people come from all over just to see it. It’s the kind of thing only Drakthorin could pull off.”

  Further down, another group of students was busy decorating large tents with glowing, mystical runes, while others floated lanterns into place. Magical fireworks cracked in the sky, sparkling in the distance as they prepared for the grand evening spectacle. It was clear that the festival wasn’t just about magic—it was a celebration of everything the students had worked on throughout the year.

  "This festival sounds like a blast," Finn said. "When does it start?"

  "Tonight," the tall student replied. "As soon as the sun sets, everything comes to life. But before that, there’s a grand feast, performances, and a lot of... fun that’s not always strictly ‘academic.’ Trust me, you’ll fit right in."

  "That sounds a lot better than whatever lecture we were going to get stuck in," Enzo joked.

  The students led them through the bustling preparations, and Finn and Enzo soaked in the vibrant atmosphere. Laughter and music filled the air, and as they passed, students greeted each other with excited chatter, getting ready for a night that would surely be full of magical wonders, laughter, and maybe a few surprises.

  “It’s gonna be one wild night,” the curly-haired girl said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “But first, let’s get you settled in. You don’t want to miss out on all the fun—pranks included.”

  Enzo groaned, eyeing his sparkling robes. “I’m starting to think I’d rather avoid the pranks part. But this festival... that sounds like something to remember.”

  They continued deeper into the academy, the sounds of preparation swirling around them—cheers of joy, magical chants, and the heavy buzz of excitement in the air.

  Despite the prank, there was no denying the warmth behind the students’ welcome. It wasn’t just about the joke—it was about finding their place in a new world, a world where magic flowed as naturally as air. Finn and Enzo exchanged a glance, and despite the absurdity of their situation, they both felt a small spark of excitement for what lay ahead.

  "Maybe this won't be so bad," Finn said, grinning.

  "Speak for yourself," Enzo replied, adjusting the runes dancing on his sleeves. "I’m going to need a week to get rid of all this glitter."