The Daily Diviner - Special Edition: Magifaisteio

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome to Magifaisteio​
The Trials of Magifaisteio​
Headmaster Minos Caras, Winter Waltz, and More​
Your True Magifaisteio House​

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Welcome to Magifaisteio! We are very proud to be hosting the Winter Waltz this year. We have been preparing all year and cannot wait to welcome you all to our home! I am a current student at the school, and it is my honor to show you around our campus and all there is to do at the Winter Waltz this year. Follow me away from the docks now, and let us begin.

We will follow the grand archways to the center of the island. Take your time walking here and enjoy the view. Look! Across the water you can see Kelpies swimming. As you discovered on your way here, the Kelpies carry us to and from the island. Kelpies are considered very dangerous in many parts of the world, but the ones who live here are trained to be peaceful. They are actually quite friendly, and we respect them very much— so much so that they are the House Thaloris mascot (my own house)!

Here we come to a crossroads. To the left is a place I am sure you will visit later— the Trials of Magifaisteio lay across that bridge. The Trials are how we students graduate, and they are held each month. Any student can participate, but only one can win. By passing the trials, we show that we have gained all the knowledge we need from the school. I am not quite ready to leave, so I leave the trials to those more prepared than myself.

To the right, our tour continues. Take note of the classrooms we pass; you may need to find them in the future! During my first months on the island, I found it easy to get lost. The paths and architecture seemed all the same to me. Now, however, I could find my way even in the dark with only the stars to light the way. I apologize for the long walk up the hill; it proves exhausting even to those of us who have been here for a while! Here we are near the peak of the island. To the right you will find students from many other schools, all offering their minigames from previous Winter Waltzes.

We will continue left and upwards, coming to the highest part of the island where the temple sits. Follow me up these stairs… and we have arrived at the courtyard. We have placed stalls here for collectables, rewards, and activities. It appears Kevin is also here to answer any questions you may have throughout your stay. We have prepared many things for you all to enjoy! Snowflakes are our main currency for any rewards and can be earned by turning in quests and completing minigames. The Advent Quests, beginning on the first of December, are a series of 24 mini-quests, with a new one unlocking each day. I encourage you to complete them all as the month goes by!

There is still some piece of the island we have yet to see! Away from the temple now, we will follow these stairs down to the lower side of the island. To the right is the House Kalephos dormitory. Students of this house are like living flames. Competitive, fierce, and deeply loyal are how I would describe my friends of this house. Down more stairs (yes, it is exhausting in the morning) and to the left is House Thaloris. Those of us in this house are deep thinkers. We pride ourselves on our quick-thinking, cleverness, and especially our patience. To the right, down this long path, is House Dryagon. The people here are enduring and unshakable, like a mountain in a storm. Those in this house can be relied on for anything.

That concludes our tour, but there is plenty more for you to see. We have only walked upon the surface of the island today. I am sure there is more you will discover during your stay here, and I hope you enjoy every second of it. Have a happy Winter Waltz!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

This year, the Magifaisteio School of Magic is hosting Hogsworth students where I was given the honor to watch the Trials of Magifaisteio. It's an extraordinary rite of passage that the school hosts regularly where only the winner may graduate. It was exciting to see the event for myself and watch as the students battled for victory.

Each month, students from all years can ask to participate in the Trials of Magifaisteio. It’s a grueling contest with many different challenging obstacle courses and tests, like the labyrinth that is haunted by an enchanted bull statue. The finale is a free-for-all Magic Pankration duel; the last student standing earns the right to graduate. Notably, the youngest student to ever claim the title was just 12 years old!

I spoke with some students about their experiences so that I could see what it's like to attempt these trials first hand. The first student I met was named Lily Morgan, a first-year student who looked nervous but excited. It was her first time applying to the Trials, so I asked how she felt and if she was confident. In turn she told me, “I feel a bit anxious, but I really want to succeed and prove myself.”

Next, I chatted with Ethan Carter, a third-year student who has attempted the Trials twice before. Ethan was candid about his struggles. “The labyrinth is my biggest challenge,” he said, grimacing. “I keep getting lost and tripping up, forgetting where I am. But I’m not giving up. I’ll try again next month if I have to.” Ethan’s perseverance highlights how tough the Trials are but also how much the students believe in pushing through setbacks.

Then, I met with Maya Rivera, who actually won last month and is soon to graduate. “Winning last month was incredible,” she said, beaming. “Honestly the duel was the most challenging part. The other students immediately went after who they thought would be the biggest threat so I had to try and keep a low profile throughout the fight.”

The Trials are more than just a test; they’re a crucial part of the school’s community spirit. Many students see the Trials as a rite of passage and an opportunity to challenge themselves, face fears, and prove what they've learned. The school encourages students to try multiple times if they don’t succeed initially, emphasizing resilience over immediate success. Most importantly, success in the Trials is rare on the first attempt, but persistence can lead to victory and graduation.

As I watched the final duel unfold, I was struck by the fierce determination on each student's face. The Trials of Magifaisteio are not just about magical skill—they’re about grit, courage, and unwavering resolve. For those brave enough to participate, the rewards are immense: recognition, pride, and the honor of graduating from one of the most prestigious wizarding schools.

To all students contemplating the Trials, I say don’t shy away from the challenge. Give it your all, learn from each attempt, and remember, every great wizard started somewhere. Good luck to all this month’s contenders, and may the best mage win!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

Exciting news, Daily Diviner readers! It is once again time for the Winter Waltz, this time being hosted by the Greek magic school, Magifaisteio. For this article, I am interviewing Headmaster Minos Caras about the event, the school, and himself. Thank you for being here today, Headmaster Caras!

Caras: Thank you for having me.

So, Magifaisteio is hosting the winter waltz this year!

Caras: Yes, it is very exciting. We are excited to share our traditions and celebrations with all of our visitors.

Has it been hectic getting the school ready for the event?

Caras: Fun, but hectic, yes. Planning any large magical event is always eventful in itself, and as headmaster, I plan to ensure Magifaisteio’s Winter Waltz exceeds expectations. It is a lot of work…but I don’t want to spoil the surprises.

Of course! Let’s talk about your history with the school then. You’ve been headmaster since 1990, but you were once a student at Magifaisteio.

Caras: Student and professor! I enrolled very young in 1959, at age 6.

You also hold the record for the school’s youngest known graduate.

Caras: Age 12!

What was your school experience like?

Caras: I remember it fondly—our curriculum has always focused heavily on history, as our school is one of the oldest in Europe, and history has always been my favorite subject, so I loved it. The coursework was quite intensive, but most Magifaisteio students are scholars at heart, so it works out well.

You even pursued a career in history after graduation.

Caras: Yes, I traveled the Mediterranean a lot, exploring and recovering the locations of lost magical ruins.

The field of magical archaeology has a lot to thank you for.

Caras: (Laughs) Well, I was simply giving back to the field I love! Eventually I returned to Magifaisteio as the Magical History Professor. I wanted to foster the same passion for discovery in the next generation of students. It has been a joy getting to teach and then be headmaster at this institution.

Are you proud of the reputation your student body maintains?

Caras: Oh, yes. Though we are not known to the broader public, we have a reputation for dedication and precision in our magical practices. Our students specialize in combat magic, particularly wandless magic and hand-to-hand combat. This focus on self-defense and honing one’s magical and physical control sets up our students to go very far in life. Seeing new students continue our traditions and use them to revolutionize their fields of study once they graduate is one of the most rewarding parts of being headmaster.

What is your favorite part of Magifaisteio?

Caras: The landscape of Nea Kameni, the island it sits on.

Not the collection of ancient artifacts?

Caras: Well, my favorite thing aside from the artifact collection! The island is breathtaking and the sky above seems to stretch on forever! The architecture of the school is beautiful as well. I think our visitors this year will fall in love with our little slice of heaven.

I cannot wait to see it! Thank you again for speaking with me today, Headmaster Caras.

Caras: It was my pleasure!

I’m sure I can speak for everyone here at the Daily Diviner—and our readers!—when I say we are beyond excited to visit Magifaisteios this year for the Winter Waltz.

Caras: And we are beyond excited to have you.

Happy celebrations, everyone!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

Welcome to the Magifaisteio Special Edition! Similar to Hogsworth, Magifaisteio divides its students into three houses. These houses vary in values, skills, and goals. Knowing this, you may be wondering… which house do you belong in? Worry not, dear reader, for I have used my advanced reasoning to create the perfect quiz. Take it below and keep track of your answers—the results will reveal your true Magifaisteio house!

1. Which Unmagical winter activity do you think you’d be best at?

A) Snowball Fights​

B) Ice Skating​

C) Skiing​

2. When attempting a maze, what’s your strategy?

A) Brute force​

B) Mapping it out​

C) Sticking to the left​

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3. You’ve been handed a mysterious potion. What do you first notice about it?

A) Its vivid, swirling colors​

B) Its strange, unfamiliar scent​

C) Its oddly heavy weight​

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4. Which Magical Creature would you want to be for a week?

A) Wyvern​

B) Centaur​

C) Fairy​

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5. Which place makes you the most nervous?

A) An abandoned house​

B) A dark cave​

C) A vast ocean​

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6. You’ve just been pickpocketed! How do you react?

A) I chase down the thief until they surrender​

B) I memorize the thief’s appearance and describe them to the police​

C) I continue on, knowing they took nothing of great value​

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7. Who do you find most difficult to get gifts for?

A) My family​

B) Myself​

C) My friends​

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8. How would you train for a duel?

A) Practice my spells until I know them by heart​

B) Study my opponent to find their weakness​

C) Consider all possibilities so I’m prepared for each one​

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9. What subject are you most likely to fall asleep during?

A) History of Magic​

B) Astrology​

C) Unmagical Studies​

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10. You’ve been having dreams about an odd location. What do you do?

A) Find the location and see what’s there​

B) Research everything I can about it​

C) Tell the Divination professor​

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11. You’ve just taken a quiz, and you don’t agree with the results. What do you do?

A) I retake it to get a different result​

B) I read all results and decide which one I think fits me the best​

C) I declare the quiz faulty and move on with my day​

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Make sure you have the letters of your answers in mind, and read on for the results!

If you got mostly A’s, you belong in House Kalephos! Known as “The Flame Within”, students in this house are very driven wizards. They work great under pressure and have an ambition in them that is impossible to deny. If you got this result, you are competitive and love to win no matter the game. You’re focused, prideful, and loyal. Failure is not in your vocabulary.

If you got mostly B’s, you belong in House Thaloris! Known as “The Deep-Minded”, students in this house thrive in strategizing and patience. They tend to be more thoughtful and observant than others. If you got this result, you value innovation and cleverness over aggressiveness, and you rarely jump into things without thinking them through. You always strive to learn something new.

If you got mostly C’s, you belong in House Dryagon! Known as “The Stonebound”, students in this house place a deeper value in magic beyond simply being a tool. Their ideals are not in fame or power, but in truly understanding and appreciating the enduring nature of magic. If you got this result, you are steadfast, persistent, and calm. You hold your ground and are unwavering in your principles.

I hope you have found this quiz to be enlightening! Do you agree with your result, or does another fit you better? Either way, I thank you for reading, and I hope you have a magical day!