Ava Rivers never believed in destiny. She believed in homework, quiet libraries, and the comforting predictability of ordinary life. That changed the morning she received a letter written in shimmering silver ink that refused to stay still. The words floated gracefully, like tiny constellations shifting across the page:“Miss Rivers,By ancient decree, you are hereby invited to attend Starbound Academy, School of Arcane Arts. Pack warm clothes. And courage.”Below the signature was something even stranger—a tiny star pressed into the parchment, pulsing softly like a heartbeat.Within hours, Ava found herself standing before an iron gate shaped like wings, watching it open