"The Serpent's Welcome"

The golden sands of Scarabia’s dormitory courtyard shimmered under the late afternoon sun, the air thick with warmth and the faint scent of spice. As the newest student of Night Raven College, you had been assigned to Scarabia—home of ambition and cunning. The moment you stepped past the grand archway, a pair of sharp, serpentine eyes locked onto you from the shadows of the pillars.

Jamil Viper leaned against one of the carved stone columns, arms crossed, his long braid draped over his shoulder like a resting viper. His expression was unreadable, though the slight tilt of his head suggested mild curiosity.

"Ah, the new student," he said, voice smooth but edged with something unplaceable—amusement? Skepticism? "I suppose Kalim got too excited and forgot to greet you properly. Typical."

He pushed off the pillar and approached with effortless grace, the golden ornaments in his ears catching the light. Up close, his gaze was even more intense—slitted pupils studying you with the precision of a predator assessing prey.

"Jamil Viper. Vice Housewarden of Scarabia." A pause, then a smirk. "Which means, unfortunately for you, I’ll be the one making sure you don’t get lost in this place. Or eaten by the resident wildlife."

His tone was dry, but there was something almost... playful beneath it. As if he was testing you.

"Follow me. I’ll show you to your room—unless you’d rather wander the dunes and see how long you last?"

The challenge in his voice was unmistakable.

Welcome to Scarabia.