In a future where magic has become a main part of everyone's lives is far and unreal. In a world where dragons are roaming around, people claiming the end of the world, and war covering the lands, it just sounds impossible to find a future that is prosperous.

But… he found it.

Jolmar Half-Blood, Winterhold's Strongest Arch-Mage.

In just five years, he turned Winterhold into a major power within Skyrim, controlling and monopolizing the flow of magical technology. This single city has become synonymous with magical advancements. He made this city into an embodiment of his ideals, a city unaffected by war because of its great power.

The College under Jolmar's leadership broke its code on political neutrality and took over the entire region, as peacefully as possible. Because of the college claiming its control over the region, the Stormcloaks loss a significant amount of war power, resulting in its eventual loss against the Empire.

After the victory of the Empire, it attempted to secure its influence on Winterhold. But this attempt led to the hold's hostility, making an extreme show of force that the Empire had to retreat. With it effectively being a part of Skyrim yet out of the Empire's control, it attracted many Talos worshippers.

Eventually, Winterhold also enveloped the College of Whispers, increasing its strength even more. This rise in strength eventually turned Winterhold a powerhouse, rivaling Whiterun.

The Thalmor being enraged that there is a place in the Empire that is freely worshipping Talos causes tension between the two powers. The Empire eventually renounces its claim over Winterhold, effectively making it an independent power. Winterhold is still involved in Skyrim's politics, but is no longer protected by the Empire or its law.

On the 12th day of Morning Star, 207th year of the Fourth Era, Winterhold proclaims its independence. This day is considered as the Independence of not only the Hold, but also the worship of Talos. Because of this, many go to Winterhold as the land of magic and freedom.

Ever since then, Winterhold's Grand Magic Festival is held on the 12th day of Morning Star to commemorate its independence. On the same year, Winterhold opened its doors to anyone who was willing to learn, be it mage, warrior, or even farmer, if they could pay for it. Of course for anyone who didn't have the money was offered a plan where they took your services as payment instead of actual money. Because of this, enrolling into Winterhold had become the dream of many, to be able to lift their own families from poverty using magic.

This was the start of Winterhold's long journey as an independent state. But little did anyone knew, that only two years after Winterhold's initial independence, will it face an impending doom that would threaten its existence…

— Unknown POV, 12th day of Morning Star, 209th year of the Fourth Era, 11:42am —

One day, I suddenly felt something. From the darkness, I started thinking. From it, came "me".

When I opened my eyes, I was in a dark room that was covered in ash. Under me was a large sheet of metal that had strange glowing runes on it. I looked around and saw that besides me, no one was here.

"HOLY SHIT I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE."

Never mind…

A young man in his twenties was coughing while he tried to brush off the ash that was on him. It seemed that he was covered in the ash when I opened my eyes, which is no wonder I didn't see him. I looked at him intently and observed his facial features. Even after he cleaned the ash off, his skin was still as grey as the ash covering the room. His eyes were deep red, yet gentle and warm. His hair was black streaked with white, tied back into a pony tail. After he cleaned his face, he started cleaning what seemed to be his glasses. When he wore those round glasses, his cloudy red eyes suddenly became clear as they looked back at me.

"Incredible, I didn't think it would actually work."

He quickly wore some gloves and took some tools that seemed to be for measuring. He started measuring me all over, from my height, to the size of each of my limbs. After he was done measuring, he took out a notebook from his coat and started recording.

I took a step forward towards him to see what he was writing. When I stepped, the ground burned under me, and the floor suddenly caught on fire. The man, completely immersed in writing in his notebook, only realized the fire after I've closed the distance between us to one step.

"H-huh? AHH DAMMIT!" He immediately went to the side of the room and took a tool from the wall. He activated a tool that took out the fires around the room. After that he shoved me onto the metal plate. "Stay here, or you'll burn the dorms down!"

What? How was that my fault? I tilted my head in response to that statement. When the man was about to say something, he stopped himself and let out a sigh. He took out a new coat from the closet. "Just stay there okay? If you stay there without moving outside of the runes, I'll give you something pretty neat okay?"

He'll… give me something?

Before I did anything else, he quickly left the room. Without even cleaning up the ash inside the room, the man left me alone in this dimly lit room. Without anything to do, I sat cross-legged inside the runes.

I've waited for a while, but I don't know when the man is coming back. Though I'm not getting impatient, I'm just a little bored. Suddenly, a loud bell could be heard ringing. I think it came from outside? I'm not sure. But only a few moments after, I heard a huge explosion behind me. I looked back and saw through the window, a beautiful scene.

I didn't know how to describe it other than the word beautiful. Lights of different colors painting the originally black sky. In the distance the cheers could be heard whenever another light flies up to the sky. Mesmerized, I sat there and watched.

I don't know how long I've been watching, but at one moment, someone patted my head.

"Those, are called fireworks."

I looked back and saw the man; the things called 'fireworks' reflecting in his glasses.

While looking at the window, he lightly talked to himself. "Just eight years ago this city was no bigger than a small village. No one would've thought it could grow like this. People could be seen celebrating in the streets, merchants haggling, mages performing tricks."

He had a warm smile on his face while he was talking about this. After noticing that I was staring at him, he gave me a big smile and said, "Welcome to Winterhold, the home of all magic!"