BEN ROLAND AND THE SECRET MARK

Ben and Tyler entered the steam engine train, heading into the Special Guest Cabin, where they encountered two unfamiliar faces — a girl and a boy, around their age.

"Sorry, but I think you're in our cabin," Tyler said, politely.

"Oh! So sorry," replied the girl, standing up immediately. "We'll leave right away."

Before she could move, the boy interrupted, "Wait, can't you two just stay in our cabin instead?"

Ben smiled softly. "No worries. We'll go. Which one's yours?"

"The one just ahead of this cabin," said the girl with a gentle smile. "My name's Aspen Joy, and this is my brother Callen Rhodes. He wanted to be closer to the front so he can get off first at Raventon."

Tyler chuckled. "That makes sense."

Ben and Tyler followed Aspen and Callen into their cabin just as Morwenna entered the Special Guest area, accompanied by a man with warm eyes and a composed smile — Mentor Orin Hale.

Morwenna spotted Aspen and Callen and asked kindly, "This isn't your assigned cabin, is it?"

Aspen stood. "No, ma'am. But the two boys who came in were in our cabin… so we just swapped."

Morwenna smiled. "No problem at all."

She and Mentor Orin then walked up to Ben and Tyler. The moment Orin's eyes met Ben's, his expression shifted — from curiosity to delight.

"So, you're Ben Roland," he said with admiration. "Son of Edward Roland."

He extended a hand.

"This is Mentor Orin Hale," said Morwenna. "He teaches Magical Foundations and Ancient Bindings."

Ben shook his hand warmly. "Nice to meet you, Mentor Orin."

Morwenna turned. "Ben, Tyler — why don't you sit with Aspen and Callen now?"

They nodded and joined the pair.

Inside the cabin, Aspen and Callen were reading a scroll.

Aspen looked up, holding the paper. "This letter lists all the mentors and their subjects! Look at the first name — Mentor Sorena Eldcliff, Subject: Spellwriting Theory & Sacred Inks."

Tyler's eyes lit up. "Spellwriting? That's amazing, right Ben?"

Ben nodded. "Yeah, definitely."

Aspen blinked. "Wait, you two are back?"

Just then, Morwenna returned. "Aspen, Callen — Ben and Tyler will be sharing this cabin with you. Mentor Orin and I are using the front one."

"No problem, ma'am," Aspen replied cheerfully.

Morwenna left for her own cabin.

Tyler turned to Callen. "What's in that letter?"

Callen looked surprised. "You haven't read it? It lists all the mentors and their subjects."

Ben leaned in. "May I see?"

Aspen smiled and handed it to him.

Ben unrolled the scroll and read:

Mentors of Raventon

Mentor Sorena Eldcliff

Subject: Spellwriting Theory & Sacred Inks

Mentor Orin Hale

Subject: Magical Foundations & Ancient Bindings

Mentor Alric Fenwood

Subject: Artifact Handling & Magical Objects

Mentor Elwin Thorne

Subject: Magical Geography & Dimensional Travel

Mentor Thalia Voss

Subject: Enchanted Alchemy & Essence Blending

Mentor Cedric Rowen

Subject: Magical Laws & Forbidden Knowledge

At the bottom, it read:

"Your assigned groups will be announced shortly."

Ben looked up. "So we'll all be sorted into groups too?"

Aspen grinned. "I hope I find out mine soon."

Just then, a deep, rhythmic sound echoed through the cabin — the steam engine hissed as the train began to move.

Their journey had begun.