The Hermit, The Tower, The World (Vol.2 Complete)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Seretra Crowfoot has been accepted to the Midnight Court, a prestigious college for magic. After being homeschooled in the country for years, this is her chance to finally attend a real school, make real friends, and do real magic.

Unfortunately, the rumors that plagued her past follow her to her new life as the whispers among her classmates say that she is cursed. The one who started it? None other than her arrogant combat partner, Calas Duskwood.

Now, Seretra must work even harder to convince both her peers and the faculty that she belongs at Court. If that wasn’t stressful enough, she still has to deal with Calas tormenting her all term long.

What to Expect:

MC slow-burn progression through skill and learning.

Slow-burn rivals-to-friends-to-lovers fantasy romance

Collegiate magic school life in an immersive fantasy setting

Focus on character development and interpersonal relationships

Completed Writathon Event April 2025

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Ellembri

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 318
Views: 66,304

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(7)

RahzRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Ok, I am still early days here, but I am on chapter 9 and have been absolutely hooked and drawn in. I rarely write reviews, and even more rarely find something that is worth my precious free time to continue reading, but this story has roped me in with some nostalgia that brings me back to the first time I read Harry Potter, except it is written better.
Mad-SibylRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm finally writing a full review after realizing I have read every single chapter pretty much immediately as its been released. The Hermit is exactly the kind of cozy fantasy story I keep coming back to again and again.
It follows Serea, a young new mage who has newly arrived at The Midnight Court, a school for magic. As the protagonist, she is sweet, a little naive, but very much has a mind of her own. She makes a number of friends - a charming and diverse mix of personalities. And maybe a crush? It's not hard to see why she might catch herself thinking about the mysterious, older boy in her coven, with his golden eyes and wild tattoos.
Serea has a particular gift for magic. Her father taught her a few things before sending her off to school, but more than that, her power at times feels beyond her control. It might have something to do with the mysterious mark at her neck, just below her ear - two black birds facing off in flight. The mystery of which she's only just beginning to unravel.
On a practical note, the author's grammar and style are excellent. It is easy to fall into the flow of the story and just keep reading.
Highly recommend.
OdessaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall:
The mysteries of the past and the promise of the future set a gripping stage as we watch Serea come into her own, both as a scribe and as a young lady. With beautiful prose, detailed descriptions, and diverse characters, this story delivers the quintessential 'Magical Academy Romance' in a deeply satisfying, reflective way which will have you yearning for more.
Note: while this story is a romance at its core, even lovers of more classically inclined RR stories will find their interest piqued by the intricate magic system which includes magical crafting! If romance is something you’ve never read before, I urge you to push beyond your comfort zone and start here.
Style:
The pacing is gentle and reflective, but every chapter takes the plot forward as we learn more of the magical world and the wonderful inhabitants within. The author, Ellembri, knows how to set scenes with a delicate clarity that never once falls into purple prose.
I appreciate the first person perspective; it enhances this story in a way that leaves me feeling very cozy as I venture through the world with Serea, experiencing the wonders through her interactions.
Grammar:
Polished, refined, well-edited. The author clearly values the reader and has presented a finished product. You would be hard pressed to find a better edited story on RR.
Story:
At the core is the ever-present, slow-burning romance that is just beginning to blossom between Serea and the mysterious arrogant Calas... but there is so much more than that. There are many layered questions in this story, and the author does a beautiful job of bringing through various threads to weave a very tight-knit narrative. It is VERY satisfying watching moments click into place. I came for the kissing but am genuinely hooked by
the desire to know what the heck is up with Serea, the truth behind Calas, and… is it just me, or does Cira sometimes have very strange vibes?!
Characters:
Within the pages, there are no Mary Sues or obnoxious Prince Per
_sylveriaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This is a lot of fun to read! I love the way the author first building up the whole vibes of the Academy which got me really sucked in to the story.
The characters are amazing especially that whole conversation the mc had with her friends about the ml.
The grammar is superb, there are phrases that needs fixing and shortening but all is good. How the story started is a little off for me but I really liked how it progressed.
I found myself being sucked in the moment the mc entered the school and it was not boring at all how the author had slowly and patiently described each class and how the mc thought of it.
If your a big fan of Hogwarts and other fantasy themed stories then this book is just for you. It gives the right spice and intrigue that it's hard to get tired of once you completely get into reading.
I'm not giving it a full rating yet since we're still in the early parts of the story but I'll definitely recommend this as a cozy reading!
May the author keep bleeding!
macabre_heretic_Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
this story is straight-up incredible—a literal masterpiece in the making. it’s got everything: deeply relatable emotional arcs, fascinating characters, and a magical world so immersive it feels alive. you’ve seriously outdone yourself in building a layered, atmospheric narrative that’s equal parts tender, thrilling, and mysterious. let me give you a full breakdown of why i’m calling this top-tier:
the world-building is chef’s kiss. from the intricate dynamics of the covens to the ethereal void of reflection, every place feels grounded, almost tangible. the way you subtly weave in the details—like the enchanted stones in the midnight stacks or the mana threads—breathes life into the magical realm without ever feeling forced.
then we’ve got seretra/serea, who is a total gem. her voice is authentic, with that perfect mix of insecurity and determination. her growth already feels so satisfying, and her struggles with belonging and mastering her “mishaps” are deeply relatable. plus, the way you capture her relationships—like the warmth she shares with cira or the tension with calas—is just chef’s kiss.
and speaking of calas, my guy. the interplay between him and serea? actual magic. their dynamic is electric, full of sharp banter and unspoken depth. i can’t wait to see where their strange, charged connection takes them.
your use of themes is stellar too—identity, self-doubt, and the search for belonging are universal but explored through an imaginative lens here. layering these themes into such a beautifully constructed narrative is no small feat.
if i could suggest anything, it’s just to tighten pacing in a couple places, especially when seretra is deep in her introspection. beyond that, keep leaning into the magic of her voice and her journey. this has all the hallmarks of an unforgettable epic. keep slaying—you’ve got something genuinely special here.
JoelMahasemsalahRoyal Road
★★★★ 3.5
I’ve just finished Volume 2 of this series, and I am officially hooked The transition from the first volume to the second has been a fascinating journey. While Volume 1 did a fantastic job of setting the stage with its intricate world-building and magic systems, Volume 2 shifts gears into a masterfully handled character-driven plot that kept me engaged from start to finish.
The writing style and grammar are truly top-notch polished, professional, and incredibly easy to read. It’s rare to find web serials with such high-quality prose that flows so naturally. The protagonist, Serea (Rea), is such an endearing and well-developed character that you can’t help but root for her. Seeing her growth, both in terms of her sudden physical transformation and her emotional maturity, is the absolute highlight of this volume. Her chemistry with Calas is electric; their bond feels organic and earned, moving from the friction of their initial meetings into something much deeper and more complex.
However, if I had one minor suggestion for the author, it would be to include more environmental and situational descriptions. While the dialogue and character interactions are brilliant, I sometimes found it difficult to visualize the specific settings, such as the grand architecture of the Sanctum or the bustling streets of Perlshaw. The focus is currently very heavy on action and dialogue, which is great for pacing, but a bit more sensory detail would help ground these amazing characters in their world. Still, the underlying lore and the presence of the ancient beasts are fascinating
(Note: English is not my native language, so I apologize if any part of this review is unclear or if there are any phrasing errors.)
falaninRoyal Road
★★★★ 3.5
While well-written, this story fails the bechdel test to an almost absurd degree. The girl truly has no life other than her anxious obsession with this one boy.
This is exacerbated by the fact that the school never appears to actually teach anything, which seems to encourage the putative collegians to spend all their time gossiping like middle-schoolers rather than acting like young adults.
It's well presented... but the whole story is the extremely awkward romance. Even Bella Swan cooked for her dad.