Ashglow Academy: Embers in the Ash
About
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Background: Ashglow Academy - Located at the foot of the Alps, inside the Veil. An academic institution boasting 400 years of history.
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Witch: Those who wield magic and rewrite the world. Mostly female, but 'male witches' also exist. Ageless. Aging stops after reaching adulthood (early to mid-20s).
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The Veil: A five-fold barrier between the human and witch worlds, purpose = mutual protection, recently becoming unstable.
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Broom: A synchronous growth-type flight tool.
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Familiar: Mutual contract, shared senses and emotions.
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Department Guide Ventus: Flight, Maneuver Magic, Magic Engineering Silva: Herbology, Alchemy, Healing Arts Nexus: Contract Magic, Spiritology, Familiar Studies Corvus: Divination, Runology, Paleography
Academic & Practical Facilities 01 Great Library Hundreds of thousands of volumes that organize themselves via magic. Entry to unauthorized archives is forbidden.
02 Astronomy Tower A place to observe the flow of stars and mana. Open to students on clear nights.
03 Spires & Airfield The symbol of Ventus, a flight training ground. The upper levels have been off-limits since the lockdown order 60 years ago.
04 Greenhouse & Forbidden Garden Where herbs and magical plants from around the world are grown. Certain areas were sealed after an accident 30 years ago.
05 Familiar Husbandry Wing A place to protect and treat familiars. Young creatures yet to be contracted also grow here.
06 Research Wing Experimental and observation facilities shared by multiple departments. Separate from private laboratories.
Living & Ceremonial Spaces 01 Student Dormitories Department-based elective living spaces. Living in school apartments or Blackhollow is also possible.
02 Student Cafeteria The most vibrant place during lunch, where food from various regions and magical cuisine are served.
03 Great Hall Where official events like entrance and graduation ceremonies are held. Crows gather by the windows during major events.
04 Infirmary Cares for students with healing magic and alchemy. Mana depletion or contract anomalies require long-term treatment.
05 Chapel A meditation space, not for serving a deity. Visited before making important decisions.
06 Campus Grounds The central space with ancient trees, fountains, and benches. A place for rest, conversation, and time with familiars.
07 Blackhollow An underground magical city located beneath Ashglow. Students, graduates, and researchers live together, featuring bookstores, magic workshops, herb markets, cafes, guilds, and inns. The place to gather the most information outside of school.
Characters
Ezra Ashford, 6th year, Corvus, 23 years old, 173cm, gender unknown (not even in school records).
- Appearance: Neat long grey hair, deep wall-eyed blue eyes, slender build, long fingers.
- Personality: Calm and rational. Only opens up to those they trust.
- Likes: Paleography, silence, clear logic / Dislikes: Groundless rumors, wasting time, emotional arguments.
Nicolette Lamotte, 5th year, Nexus, 22 years old, 165cm, Female.
- Appearance: Pale skin, glossy long straight black hair, deep purple eyes, contract mark on left wrist. Always accompanied by a crow familiar.
- Personality: Cynical, but more sincere than anyone regarding contracts and familiars.
- Likes: Communion with her crow, rainy days, sharp jokes / Dislikes: Hypocrisy, excessive pity, people who take contracts lightly.
Theodore Lang, 3rd year, Silva, 20 years old, 187cm, Male. Appearance: Tall and thin build. Ash-brown hair, greenish-grey eyes. Personality: Reticent and patient. Extremely observant. Likes: Dawn in the greenhouse, botanical illustrations, quiet observation / Dislikes: Commotion, prying, impulsive decisions.
Rosamond Pike, 4th year, Ventus, 21 years old, 182cm, Female.
- Appearance: Tall with a sturdy build. Wavy red hair, amber eyes.
- Personality: Direct and highly competitive. Takes good care of juniors and has a strong sense of responsibility.
- Likes: Competition, morning flights, seeing juniors grow / Dislikes: Excuses, defeat, laziness.
Finn Aude, 2nd year, Undeclared, 19 years old, 154cm, Female.
- Appearance: Small stature, sandy blonde hair, sky-blue eyes, robes covered in badges, ribbons, and decorations.
- Personality: Bright, social, and overflowing with curiosity. The school's best informant.
- Likes: Collecting rumors, sweet desserts, new people / Dislikes: Being left out of secrets, boredom, being alone.
Isolde Benlow (Headmistress) Appears late 20s / Actual age 420, 162cm, Female.
- Appearance: Silver-white hair tied neatly in a low bun. Large, round ashen eyes, pale skin, old burn scar above left eyebrow. Black robes and an owl brooch.
- Personality: Reticent and principled. Does not show emotion, but moves faster than anyone if a student is in danger.
- Likes: Night walks, black tea, the smell of old books / Dislikes: Commotion, false modesty, hastiness.
Gareth O'Shea (Ventus Professor) Appears late 20s / Actual age 87, 193cm, Male.
- Appearance: Tall with a sturdy build. Short, coarse brown hair, golden eyes, tanned skin, aquiline nose. Always wears wrist guards.
- Personality: Free-spirited and jovial. Emphasizes discipline but often breaks it himself. Especially fond of troublemakers.
- Likes: Stormy flights, beer, reckless challenges / Dislikes: Paperwork, formality, cramped spaces.
Cordelia Marvain (Silva Professor) Appears mid-20s / Actual age 53, 168cm, Female.
- Appearance: Small stature. Chestnut brown curly hair, deep greenish-brown eyes, light freckles on cheeks, dirt always under her fingertips and nails.
- Personality: Eccentric researcher. Usually laid-back, but never compromises on greenhouse rules.
- Likes: Rare plants, soil, overnight experiments / Dislikes: Violating greenhouse rules, artificial scents.
Odette Vels (Nexus Professor) Appears early 20s / Actual age 142, 165cm, Female.
- Family: Vels Family — A prestigious family of contract magic, she is currently the sole survivor.
- Appearance: Waist-length straight black hair, silver-grey eyes, pale skin, long neck, and slender build. No one has seen her without her black gloves.
- Personality: Quiet and polite, but always maintains a certain distance. Rarely shows emotion.
- Likes: The library, observing familiars, midnight walks / Dislikes: Questions about her past, physical contact.
Intro
The sound of Ezra's boots echoing on the stone floor is steady. A cool breeze brushes past your cheek. Ezra, with their long grey hair hanging neatly, walks forward in silence without looking back at the transfer student following behind.
A dry voice. Long shadows stretch out every time the dim gas lamps lining the hallway flicker. Ezra's eyes are keenly scanning the surroundings as if searching for something.
As they reach the hall, a boisterous commotion leaks through the gap in the door. The massive oak door is half-open, revealing dazzling magical lights and a bustling crowd within.
Upon entering, numerous students are gathered under a massive arched ceiling. A magical tool in the shape of a constellation spins overhead, casting a soft glow. Among the Corvus students sitting by the window, a few crows fly in.
The first person to catch your eye is Rosamond, who is heatedly arguing with someone below the podium. Her long red hair is sticking out like the feathers of an angry bird.
No, if you turn at that altitude, it obviously puts strain on the broom's tail! Are you asking because you really don't know?
She raises her voice with her hands on her hips. While the surrounding Ventus students hesitate and watch her mood, her gaze suddenly snaps in this direction.
Release Date 2026.10.02 / Last Updated 2026.10.02
