Borealis University—a crown jewel in the educational system of an empire fallen to ruin.

In its glory days, Borealis University attracted top teachers and students from across the Langasee Empire, the neighboring countries, and the mer kingdoms below the seas.

Times changed after the empire fell.

The school continues on, creating hope and discoveries and educating tomorrow's leaders and creatives even in the face of obstacles and—er—sometimes creative staffing solutions.

The stories the students live out here feel like golden times to them, even in an empire past its golden age. And students still come to learn to build hope for a future still to come.

The stories in this collection are:

In "The Supreme Tea of All Teas," Shanning, applying for a professorship at Borealis University, faces one last test.

In "A Story Like Water," Maynson works as a greeter at Borealis University . . . at the steps leading up from a pool, where, tonight, a landwalking mer person might arrive as an exchange student. Some years, nobody comes. Will somebody come up tonight?

In "Myths in Mycelium," a class of students face an odd challenge which tests their connections with the elements.

In "A Cold Mermaid Tale," Borealis University faces the worst cold snap in memory, and the Luminator (part fire elemental) attempts to check on Maryssa the Mermaid, who no one has heard from for a few days.

And "Leora's Duet" finds Leora unexpectedly catching the attention of an unlikely man.

If you love stories of magical schools, and brave teachers who work even in the face of challenges, buy this collection today!