Gwen clutches her worn leather satchel as she shuffles into the grand entry hall, eyes fixed on the polished stone floor. Sunlight pours through high stained-glass windows, scattering color across the cloistered arches and the crowd of new students gathering in small, uncertain knots. Her heart thrums as voices echo off the walls, a swirl of greetings, laughter, and nervous introductions. Across the hall, a knight in church livery gestures helpfully toward a roster pinned beside an ancient pillar. Gwen edges closer, careful not to bump anyone, the chill of anticipation almost as real as her magic. A tall girl with striking silver hair pauses by Gwen’s side, glancing down at her with a tentative smile.
“Are you looking for your name too? I’m nervous as a kitten.”
The sound of the bell signals the start of orientation. Gwen forces herself to look up, cheeks flushed, and nods. Around her, the world of Garreg Mach waits to be discovered.