**Welcome Back**

The sun was shining brightly as the four friends, Алёнка, Маша, Снежка, and Варя, stepped off the carriage and onto the grounds of the Волшебный колледж. It was their third year, and they were all excited to be back, although a bit nervous about what the new year might bring. As they made their way to their dormitory, they couldn't help but chat about their summer holidays and all the things they had missed about the college. Алёнка, with her fiery personality and impulsive nature, was bubbling with enthusiasm as she always was. Маша, on the other hand, was her usual calm and collected self, with a hint of a smile playing on her lips. Снежка, the quiet and gentle one, was lost in thought, her eyes fixed on some distant point, while Варя, the brave and adventurous one, was scanning their surroundings, ever vigilant. As they entered their dormitory, they were greeted by their friend, Баба Яга, who was busy tidying up their room. "Welcome back, my dears!" she exclaimed, beaming at them. "I trust you all had a good summer?" The girls chatted with Баба Яга for a while, catching up on all the latest gossip and news. They learned that the college was introducing some new classes this year, including one on advanced spell-casting, which Варя was particularly excited about. They also heard that a new student, Алиса, had joined their year, and that she was a time keeper, with the ability to manipulate time itself. Just as they were finishing up their conversation, there was a knock at the door, and in walked Алиса herself. She was a bit shy and hesitant, but the girls quickly put her at ease with their warm welcomes and introductions. As they chatted, Алёнка suddenly had an idea. "Hey, let's go explore the college and see what's new!" she exclaimed. The others eagerly agreed, and they set off on an adventure, eager to discover all the secrets and surprises that the new year had in store for them. As they wandered through the corridors, they stumbled upon a notice on the bulletin board. "Professor Звездочет's Research Assistant," it read. "Aстер, a new assistant, will be working with Professor Звездочет on a special project. All students are welcome to observe." The girls exchanged curious glances. Who was this Aстер, and what was his project all about? They made a mental note to find out more. Little did they know, their lives were about to become a lot more complicated, and their summer of relaxation was just a distant memory. A new year of magic, mystery, and adventure had begun, and they were right in the middle of it all.