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In an unremarkable bedroom in an unremarkable city on an unremarkable planet, a teenage girl is frowning at whatever she's looking at on the holoscreen in front of her. She's absorbed in her reading and isn't paying much attention to her surroundings.
a Merlin becomes a magical girl
"So! Welcome, young sprouts, to the Academy. My name is Myra and I will be in charge of you until you graduate. During your time here, you can expect to learn everything a well-educated young lady should know, as well as how to do this." She flourishes the sword. "By the end, you will be ready to be the next generation of saviors for the galaxy." She then launches into a speech about code of conduct, day-to-day life, and class scheduling. The girls are expected to be respectful of the staff, grounds, and each other, and fighting is not permitted. Meals are provided at the cafeteria four times throughout the day: morning, midday, evening, and late night. They are encouraged to show up to at least three of these. Curfew is midnight. Initial dormitory assignments will be passed out at the end of today, if they've already made friends they would like to room with, they can submit a request at the main office before then. There will be general opportunities to change room assignment twice per year. Classes are scheduled in three blocks and the girls will be grouped according to ability. Later on, they will have the chance to sign up for electives, but the first run of classes are fixed.
And with that, they're dismissed. They have the run of the place until tonight.
give-the-world
Merrin turns to Kait and Nira. "So, I guess one of us could meet our soulmate in the next few hours and want to room with them instead, but I think it'd be nice to share a room with someone I've at least met instead of a complete stranger."
give-the-world
"Oh, the soulmate thing was a joke," she explains to Kait. "There's this theory that everyone in the world has one person they're meant to be with forever, and you're guaranteed to meet them at some point, and that's your soulmate. But I don't actually believe in it, it's more of a fairy tale. Anyway, so shall we go register as roommates?"
give-the-world
To the main office, then. Merrin is happy to do the talking if the other two don't want to, but all three of them should probably be there in case the office wants to confirm which students they are or whatever.
give-the-world
Merrin provides a thumbprint. She's glad she thought to bring the other two along; she'd have had to fetch them for this part, otherwise.
the-perfect-the-perfect
Prints all around. Nira hands the pad back to the secretary, who waves the confirmations onto the desk display.
"You're all set, then."
"Thanks!"
give-the-world
Exploring! Maybe if they try hard and believe in themselves, they can get very thoroughly lost by evening meal time.
The campus is mostly rolling green fields, lightly spotted with small groves. Flagstone paths wend this way and that, preferring to go around hills rather than over, connecting buildings that are never more than two stories high and always nestle snugly into the terrain. There's the library, cafeteria, dormitories, lecture halls, gymnasium...
give-the-world
Pretty! Not quite as confusing as Merrin was half-hoping, so they probably won't get very lost before it's time to head to the cafeteria, but they can explore the pretty grounds. Is there anything to stop them wandering off the path occasionally to get a better look from the top of a hill?
the-perfect-the-perfect
Nope! Kait seems a little hesitant to step off the path, but Nira grabs her hand with a smile and pulls her along.
"This place is so pretty."
give-the-world
"Even if it's not allowed, no-one told us, and it's our first day. So the worst they'll do is tell us off," Merrin reasons. "But you can wait here if you're worried about getting into trouble."