A young boy went to the end of the dusty road to find his mailbox among the dozens at the corner. The mailboxes were situated at the small country lane where it met the highway so the mailman didn’t have to drive miles to each farm.

Usually, there was nothing more than flyers. Most people didn’t worry about mailing stuff out here to the sticks.

But there was a thick envelope in the mailbox this time. The boy’s eyes widened.

It’s here!

It’s here!

It’s really here!

He’d been waiting months to hear from them. To hear that he could leave the farm. To hear that there was a world beyond corn rows and woods.

He dropped the rest of the mail and opened the letter.

At first, all he saw was a blank piece of paper, but quickly words started appearing on the page.

Welcome! We are pleased to announce that you have been accepted in the Northwestern Michigan University of Wizardry and Agriculture. NWMUWA is Michigan’s oldest school of magic and would be happy to add you to our 2024 class. Please read our welcome package to familiarize yourself with the next steps.

He couldn’t believe it. It was really happening.

He read while he walked and more and more writing appeared.

And he immediately became concerned.

The following pages contained everything he’d need for the next year.

One wand, must be rated for upper level spells: 1,000 dollars Spell books: 2,000 dollars though a few will available used for 1,500 Wizard robes, at least three sets, including a formal set: 1,000 dollars each One wizard staff: 3,000 dollars Tuition: 10,000 dollars per semester Housing: 5,000 per semester Meal Plan: 2,000 per semester

The letter also said that they were pleased to inform him that his grades qualified him for a 500 dollar per semester scholarship.

The boy looked down at his dusty clothes, and he thought about the tractor that just broke yesterday and his parents wondering where they’d get the money to fix it.

He thought about this and dropped the letter in the garbage can on the way to the barn.