Entry 009 – First Night in the Dorm

Uniforms showed up while we were gone. Their tidy folding satisfied my OCD tremendously! 

Books on the desk: Runic Lexicon is thick enough to kill a man. I opened it, read two lines, and immediately closed it because I knew I’d be up till 4 a.m. if I kept going.

My new casting ring is still warm. Like it’s happy to be here.

Tomorrow we start actual classes.

I’m terrified.

I’m so excited I could puke.

Both at the same time.

Goodnight, future legendary wizard me.

—Liam

Entry 008 – The Day We Got Our Rings

Dear Journal,

I have an actual magic ring on my finger that literally levels up when I do.

Jordan cried laughing when his slid on and I did the troll voice. Vanessa screamed like she was dying for half a second and then laughed for five minutes straight. Professor Diamond kept calling everyone “darling” in that fancy voice and I’m pretty sure half the girls want to be her when they grow up.

Also blood magic hurts like a mother for exactly one heartbeat. 10/10 would do again.

I smell like a campfire and I’m never taking this thing off.

Night.

—Liam

Entry 007

Dean Kamotano just casually conjured an entire five-star dinner service like it was nothing.

He also said “these are, after all, your college years” and the whole hall lost it.

I drank sparkling water with a perfect lemon slice that appeared out of thin air.

Professor MacGorne laughed at something and the ley-line map on the faculty table lit up like it was happy.

I’m never leaving this place.

If anyone tries to wake me up I’m throwing hands.

—Liam

Entry 006

Jordan and I tried to sneak into House Melodia to “scout the talent.”

Got caught by a Quebecois greenhouse goddess who literally said “Vas-y” and let us go.

Then we crashed the Melodia welcome and watched a fourth-year make a paper crane fly around and peck her ear. I almost cried.

Vanessa Lane called Professor MacGorne “MacGorgeous” to his face (well, almost). Jordan is now on a mission to buy a three-piece suit.

Ended the night toasting under a floating crystal chandelier that was spitting northern lights on our food.

Still not convinced this isn’t an extremely vivid dream.

—Liam

Entry 005

Tomorrow I say the words and vanish from my neighborhood.

Suitcase packed, hearthcard burning a hole in my pocket, glucose meter tucked beside the rune chisel like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

Dad hugged me tonight and just said it again: “The choice is yours, son.”

Mum cried into the cannoli. Nonno slipped me an extra $50 “for coffee in Alberta” and whispered that saints travel with stubborn Italians.

Jordan’s already spam-texting memes about turning into eagles on day one.

I keep rereading the welcome letter like it’s going to change.

Four thousand kilometres and one portal away from everything I’ve ever known.

I’m terrified.

But I’ve never been more ready.

See you on the other side.

—Liam