[Encanto] 6: Skyrim

As I gripped onto only who I could assume to be Savos Aren, my mind went into overdrive as I questioned what the hell is happening.

Calming myself down, I released my hold on him, and apologized, "I'm sorry...waking up in a strange room and place tends to make someone overreact."

"I am sorry as well...It seems I should have knocked instead of barging into the room. Do you know where you are? Who 𝘺𝘰𝘶 are?"

"I think I know where I am, as for who I am, you can call me Salem," I informed him.

"Do you know 𝘩𝘰𝘸 you got here?" The Archmage asked before I replied with a shake of my head.

Standing before me, was the Archmage of the College of Winterhold, one of the few institutions around the land of Tamriel that would teach those seeking to learn about Magic.

The College lies just outside of the town of Winterhold in the northern reaches of Skyrim, the home of the Nords, a hearty Viking-like people that have a great distrust over most magic.

Skyrim is an incredibly cold place, and the Nords have long since obtained immunity to the cold of Skyrim, allowing them to thrive in their land.

Skyrim was comprised of nine holds, each with its own Capital and towns.

These holds were led by Jarls, and at the head of Skyrim's Leadership, was the High King.

[Map of Skyrim]

There was Eastmarch with its capital being Windhelm, and depending on what time I arrived, the leader could possibly be Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak.

Then the hold of Falkreath, with its capital being well...Falkreath.

Haafingar, and its capital, Solitude, is more than likely the current official capital of Skyrim.

The Pale, with Dawnstar.

The Reach with Markarth.

The Rift with Riften.

Whiterun...in well, Whiterun, and Winterhold in Winterhld.

Confusing, but that's just how a new world can be.

So, why would a college dedicated to teaching magic be built in a place where it wasn't really welcomed or respected?

I honestly have no idea, but while I started feeling excited about the clear adventure that awaited me, I also felt sad. Would I ever see my family again?

I could only hope that they were alright...

"Uh...miss? Are you alright?" Savos asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Yeah, sorry about that. I don't know how I got here," I replied honestly.

"Well...what do you remember?" He asked.

"I'd rather not think about it..." I replied honestly.

"Well, whatever happened, ended up with your being thrown into the college's courtyard through a strange portal and leaving you on the brink of death, I'm afraid if you didn't land here at the college, you would have died not long after due to your wounds," Savos grimly informed me.

"Thank you..."

"However, if you'll answer a Mage's curiosity, what spell did you just use to incapacitate me? I don't think I've felt or seen anything like it barring one spell that's now illegal in the Empire and Telekinesis," The Archmage asked with curiosity.

"Uh...I'd rather not say..." I answered, wondering how I was still able to use my gift if I was no longer in Encanto.

"Uh...so. What now?" I asked.

"Hm...Well, that's up to you. You don't seem to have any possessions, so I don't think you can hire a carriage to take you out of town, and I don't think you'll be able to do any work in the village, on account of you not being a Nord and those in the town hating anyone affiliated with Magic or the College. So, I guess you have two options left. First, is venturing off south, in hopes the cold doesn't get you before you reach another settlement,"

"Or?" I asked, knowing that I'd certainly die if I ventured out of town only in this summer dress.

"Or, become a student here at the College of Winterhold, and if that doesn't interest you, perhaps you can even become a teacher here at the college if you meet the requirements, and you'll be paid of course if you do become a teacher here."

"Hmm...and what would be my responsibilities as a student? What would I have to do to repay you? I highly doubt you'll be doing this for free."

"Hmm...one decade, if you become an expert-level mage in that time, you won't have to repay anything, but you must swear to come help the college and its students if they were to be endangered. However, if you don't reach that rank by that time, or if you give up, you'll owe 100,000 Septims to the College. And if you qualify for a teaching position, you'd only need to teach at the college for five years, and in those five years, you'll earn 30,000 Septims a year for the five years you work with the college."

[A/N: How much do yall think the average man makes in Skyrim annually? How awful is their economy? Did the math, and the MC of the game is paid shit when it comes to bounties, trade, and more, especially if an average man could make 30k a year just from chopping wood every day]

"Hmm...deal, but, I won't bother with the test in regards to becoming a teacher, I don't know how to use magic...except for a few very specific spells that are inherited in my family."

"What? How could you not know how to use magic but know how to cast a couple of spells?" He asked incredulously.

"No idea," I shrugged, not giving him an answer.

"Do you at least know how to feel Magicka?"

"Nope."

Strange, I could swear I almost saw the man's eye twitch.

...

After situating myself with a room and some robes I could change into, the Archmage led me out of the tower I was in, and out to the courtyard, where I immediately felt like I should have had a lot more layers of clothing due to the absolutely bone-chilling cold.

"Come, I'll show you to the Hall of Elements where most of our students learn and practice their spells, and every day, lectures are performed in the hall in case you have any set of Magic School you'd like to learn. We have teachers for every school of magic, including both Alchemy and Enchanting as well," He informed me as we walked through a large set of wooden doors before directing us to the right.

"To the right, is a staircase that leads to the Arcanaeum, the college's library maintained by Urag gro-Shub, do be careful with any books and tomes you find yourself reading, Urag is very serious in regards to his work, and can be quite protective of the library. To the left, is another staircase that leads to my personal quarters, in case you ever need to search for me. Further ahead past the gate is the auditorium, where students can practice and teachers can hold lectures," He informed me, before we left the main building, heading back to the courtyard.

"That tower right there, is the Hall of Attainment, the dorm of your peers and yourself, and that tower over there, is the Hall of Countenance, the tower which houses the Masters and Experts of the College."

The college certainly wasn't big, but it was quaint, and the bedrooms were decent.

Afterward, we met up with the only teacher I could vividly remember in the College other than Savos himself.

Tolfdir is both the Alteration Teacher of Winterhold and plays a role in the College of Winterhold's main quest, he was also a kind and compassionate teacher, which was a plus in my books.

And when I first saw him, I noticed that he actually looked a tiny bit younger than the man I remembered from the game, does that mean the events of Skyrim haven't started yet?

If so, then I guess I'd have time to prepare, prepare for what could be the end of this world.

The Dragon Crises would be no joke, especially if the Dragons are as strong as they appear to be in the lore.

Especially when it came to the eldest dragon, Alduin, the World Eater, a massive dragon that once upon a time, rules over the Nords of Skyrim, creating a cult around themselves.

"Greetings child, I've been informed that you don't know how to cast magic?" Tolfdir asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"That's right, Mr...?"

"Ah, wonderful! It's not often one your age shows respect to their elders. None of that mister business, you can simply call me Tolfdir, and I have been informed that you need to be taught the basics, is this right?" Tolfdir asked with a  smile on his face.

"Yes...Tolfdir."

"Wonderful! Let's begin with some simple breathing exercises."