SelkieMyth
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Chapter 4 - The Letter
🕑 Added 2025-10-16 13:05:14 +0000 UTCAN: 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
Comments
TheBotler
Wow so many references...so many...
Gremlin Jack
I'm taking that backpack prohibition personally
RedInkQuill
Felix has a list and he’s checking it twice. He’s thinking the lists naughty and that it would be nice if he could afford it.
tr13ze
Thanks for the chapter 😁
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