If Hailstone Keep looked like the perfect castle, Everwinter very much looked like a university par excellence.

There were finely hewn medieval buildings worn by their years. They wore their age well, green vines overrunning their stone walls like the wrinkles on the face of a venerable king. Several of the buldings had ornate structures that jutted up into the sky like pristine cathedrals surrounded by ancient flower-covered trees. Pink and yellow flowers left petals lining the trim grass fields like a rose blanket on a spring day.

It was a sight to behold. And yet, in the midst of its ordinary beauty, this school was a bastion of magic. Frost could sense it.

They traveled along brick-laden paths that zig-zagged across the campus like the interlocking weave of a spider web. Frost observed the activity that surrounded him. Each building appeared to be dedicated to a different use with students hard at work both indoors and out.

He observed crafts, real-world skills being taught. In the open yard, he observed a young man, not too much older than himself, working to cast an iron sprocket wheel. The man wasn't particularly skilled. As a trained blacksmith, Frost could spot his mistakes. And yet the man was attentive and focused.

"We've made it," Frolick said. "Your dream come true." He rode on top of Molly, who curled her trunk as she walked. "Everwinter."

Frost looked up from where he rode in a horse-drawn carriage with Thomas. The wiry man held the reins, directing the horses along the path toward the admissions office.

"Indeed we are here," Thomas said, pushing up his glasses to keep them from falling off the tip of his nose. "Welcome to Everwinter."

"It's quite a beautiful place," Frost said. The scenic backdrop held snowy mountains, rose-colored flowers, and stone buildings. Further beyond were stables filled with animals, and beyond that, frost-flaked farms set upon rolling hills.

"I hope you do not mind," Thomas said. "I have taken the liberty of signing you up for the standard classes for first-years."

"Really?" Frolick said. "What are they?"

"Ah yes," Thomas said. "I have the list right here." He ruffled through his coat pocket, keeping one hand on the reins. The horses trotted along, winding their way further into the courtyard.

"First," Thomas said. "Mathematics."

"Maths?" Frolick said, pursing his lips. "We came all this way to learn maths? What has that got to do with frost magic?"

"Mathematics has everything to do with frost magic," Thomas said. "It is the language of the universe. Besides, measurement and accounting are part in parcel with any walk of life even if you do not ultimately pursue the path of the frost mage."

"What else?" Frost asked, curiously.

"My favorite, of course, is Literature and Lore," Thomas said. "My own class."

"Oh no," Frolick said. "Don't think we'll survive that one."

Frost shot him a glare.

"Only kidding of course," Frolick said. "I love me a good story."

"Philosophy," Thomas said. "Is taught by Master Alderton."

"Now that one I don't understand," Frost said. "How does that tie in with frost magic?"

"Philosophy," Thomas said, shaking his head. "May be the most important course you'll ever take at Everwinter. Everything about frost magic is tied to one's understanding of the Metaverse, which can only be contemplated through proper use of reason."

"Frost," Frolick said. "I'm beginning to regret coming here. Maybe I'll return Quartus back his scholarship. Save him a bit of coin I will. Not much of an academic type, I'm not. No sir."

"Nonsense," Thomas said. "Everyone can benefit from learning the truths of the Metaverse."

"Three courses?" Frost asked, changing the subject.

"Well," Thomas said. "Each student takes five per semester. Three mandatory and two electives."

Frost perked his ears. "And what are those?"

"Ah yes," Thomas said, reading from a list. "If you tell me which ones you prefer, I'll go ahead and sign you up. Keep in mind that students are expected to master at least two meaningful trades by the end of their second year."

"Great," Frost said. "I'm a trained blacksmith, so that's one."

"Ahem," Thomas said. "That would be established once you can prove your ability by passing the Foundry Exam. In any case, your elective options are Cartography, Alchemy, Foundry, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Carpentry, Textiles, and Cooking."

"Cooking?" Frolick said. "Not sure what that has to do with frost magic but I think I've got my mind made up. Cooking and Animals for me."

"You've just chosen the two easiest courses," Frost said, frowning. "You should try to challenge yourself."

The horses trotted along, each stip clopping along the brook paths. Molly's hooves were a bit louder with each step, of course.

"Who said cooking was easy?" Frolick said. "It's a mighty difficult skill, it is. To get a cake baked just right, not too burned, not undercooked. Same with a holiday goose."

"He does have a point," Thomas said. "Master Chef Hamblett is a renowned cook. Her exquisite meals are considered the finest in the Northern Reach. Not an easy course by any means."

Frolick placed his hands on his hips and perked up his chin. Almost losing his balance, he thrust his hands back onto Molly to keep from falling off.

"Animal husbandry?" Frost said. "You'll be the best one by far. You should challenge yourself."

"Then how else would I find time to spend with my dear Molly?" Frolick hugged her fur. She flicked her trunk gleefully. "It's going to be a busy schedule with all these maths and philosophizing and whatnot. Need to have some mammoth time to balance it all out. But enough about me. What are you choosing Frost?"

"I don't know," Frost said, stroking his chin. It was all so sudden. He was most drawn to Foundry. But given his background as a blacksmith, he was worried it would be too easy. He also wanted to acquire new skills that could be useful as a frost mage. "Thomas," Frost said.

"Yes?" Thomas replied.

"I've seen Alta turn water into liquid fire," he said. "How did she do that exactly?"

"Why you can learn those skills in Alchemy, of course," Thomas said. "It includes the study of chemical compounds including distillation. Distillation is very practical in commercial trade because it includes the creation of wine, spirits, and oils."

"So Alta formed water into oil?" Frost said.

Thomas nodded. "Her family owns a large distillery on the outskirts of Hailstone. She is quite a skilled apprentice."

"Interesting," Frost said. "I think I'll try that course. Will have to think about my next selection."

"You should select textiles for sure," Frolick said, bobbing his head while flailing one of his hands. "Fashion design. It's so you."

"Very funny," Frost said.

"You should know," Thomas said. "That textile design is one of the most useful skills for frost magic. It tends to be a very popular class."

"I'm afraid I don't follow," Frost said, a puzzled look crossing his face.

"It's a difficult course," Thomas continued. "Requiring a good aesthetic sense, weaving ability, dye-gathering just to start."

"But what does that have to do with it being useful?" Frolick asked. "I mean, I don't think I have any interest in making clothes."

"Clothes, dresses, suits, hats," Thomas said. "Are a lucrative business. But for the home, there are rugs, curtains, furniture coverings, beddings. For the hunter, there are tents, camouflage, boots, mittens. For sailors, there are ropes and sails. The list goes on."

Frolick abruptly pulled on Molly's reins. She halted in place.

"Uh oh," Frost said. "I think you just piqued Frolick's interest."

"I'm afraid now it is I who do not follow," Thomas said.

"I'm switching to textiles," Frolick said. "I have to take textiles."

"Okay," Thomas said. "But I am truly befuddled."

"You just said his favorite word," Frost said, raising his eyebrows. "Camouflage."