Notebook

A Dark Academia Fantasy novel, set in a magical university.

Writing is currently ON HOLD.

Project Progress 20% Complete

20,000 / 100,000 words 05 / 17 chapters

Welcome to Turnstone

Watch your step; It will take you time to find your footing and the city is full of hidden dangers. If you fall, you may never get up again.

Holden has always dreamt of studying magic at the prestigious Turnstone University, even though everything he knows was picked up from the streets. He has a raw, natural talent and after he saves an old man from a curse, he's finally offered a chance. But raw talent is not enough to suceed at Turnstone, where only the brightest and the most brilliant attend.

Holden has to work hard to earn the approval of his privilaged peers, and to catch-up on a lifetime of studying. Even after the mysterious Professor Griffin takes him under his wing, he remains the outsider, and when a student turns up dead, he finds himself the centre of suspicious rumours. He's forced to uncover the secrets lurking beneath the surface of the city, and confront his own dark family history.

University Handbook

Students must study a minimum of four subjects in the first two years. Second-year students drop down to two subjects, one of which will become their specialist subject and their sole focus for third-year.

Wardscraft

This covers protective and defensive magic, including the creation of shields and wards, counter-curses and spell-breaking. You will be taught various techniques for magical concealment, such as invisibility and silencing spells. The basics of dueling will also be covered, with a focus on evasion and deflection.

Glamour

Students will learn how to create temporary illusions strong enough to deceive all five senses without impacting the physical world. Perfecting Glamour magic will enhance your understanding of spellcasting in general, as well as developing a practical skill with infinite applications.

Conjuring

The creation of objects, creatures, and magical effects wholecloth from nothing is one of the most fundamental and most challenging branches of magic. In this subject, you will learn a range of innovative techniques to improve your conjuring.

Potions

If you dream of brewing potions powerful enough to transform yourself or others, heal injury or disease, or create other spectacular effects, then this is the subject for you. You will learn the principles of brewing, the properties of rare ingredients, and the precise methods required to combine them for reliable results.

Transmutation

This deals with the transformation of objects and creatures. You will learn the intricacies of the discipline, its potential and limitations, and explore the ethical implications that come with changing the essential nature of a being.

Bestiamercy

This primarily covers the study of magical creatures, with a secondary focus on the magical enhancement of mundane animals. The course offers practical experience in taming beasts and caring for them. Students will gain a thorough understanding of a wide range of magical creatures, their habits and habitats. There will also be opportunities to engage in the creation of chimeras and familiars.

Vitalisation

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a healer this module is the ideal first step, giving a firm grounding in the fundamentals of healing and life-force magic. You will learn charms for mending minor wounds, cures for common ailments, and methods of rejuvenation for all living beings.

Floriscraft

A unique opportunity for admirers of Merwyn to follow in his footsteps across the same soil where the seeds of his legend were sewn. While due consideration is given to plants with magical properties, the cultivation of mundane plants through magical means is also given significant attention.

Divination

Students will learn both ancient and innovative ways of predicting the future and gaining insight through magic. You will explore mind-reading, spirit-travel and soul-mapping. While few will master these skills, the practice alone will sharpen your second-sight and improve your intuition.

Ethereal Theory

This area of study is focused upon uncovering and understanding the forces that underpin magical ability and perception. How does magic actually work? Why are some people able to use magic and others not? What limits - if any - are there to magic? While not all of these questions may be answered, students will study the theories and experiments of major magical theologians in an attempt to understand what can be understood.

Magical History

Students will study not only the canon of The Unparalleled Spellcasters and their enduring legacy, but broader history of spellcasters, and the evolution of magical practices and culture, over time.

Aereomancy

Students will study various methods of manipulating matter for the purpose of transportation. Including, but not limited to flight, teleportation and barrier passage.

Opening Lines

The city of Turnstone was a maze of narrow, twisting streets that wound in upon themselves. The tongue-clicking, sure-footed locals liked to say that all paths met eventually, and all one had to do was keep on walking, but this willfully ignored the daily reality of the city. All the moving parts. Disruptions and delays.

A crow might fly from St Claire’s to King’s Row in a matter of moments, but on foot it couldn't be done in less than an hour. Doubling back, half a dozen times, and weaving in and out of crowded, ramshackle streets. More often than not, the way was blocked by a broken-down cart or a pack of feral, highly-territorial cats. No one could travel from one end of the city to the other in a straight line.

No one, except for Holden. He could always find a shortcut, no matter where he was. It was the one thing he could rely on. The trump card in his limited deck of tricks.

Holden Charmes:

Our Protagonist.

Despite never having being formally taught magic, Holden has a gift for sensing magic, breaking curses and walking through walls.

When he first came to the city, Holden made his living stealing, but after a antiques dealer, Elias Blackwood, realised what Holden was up to, he offered him a job. A promotion to the other side of the counter.

At the time of our story, Holden is Twenty-one years old. His days are filled with work, people-watching, and rather too much drinking. But his dream is to attend Turnstone Univeristy, where all the greatest sorcerers study. It seems rather an impossable dream, given Holden's circumstances, but perhaps his luck is about to change.

Augustine Perseus Griffin.:

August, to his friends.

A former child-prodigy who attended Turnstone University at only thirteen-years-old, Proffessor Griffin is widely considered to be the greatest spellcaster alive.

Although he's a professor, he doesn't actually teach much and spends most of time travelling, reseacrhing and writing.

He dresses extravagantly, has a weakness for deserts and a wicked sense of humour.

Although Twenty-six, he's still referred to as a prodigy, as if that is something that can never be outgrown, and he's never really fit in anywhere. It's hard to get people to treat you like an equal, when no one is equal to you.

Art by Me:

Art by Others:

By MermaidGrey

By Trouble in the Message Centre

Commission by Kai Kyerio