The Next Morning

“So where do you want to sit, Ragnar?”

“Somewhere in the back and next to the window. That way the teacher won’t notice when I’m ‘admiring the view’.”

Ymil sighed. “How could I expect anything less?…”

When Ragnar and Ymil woke up that morning they found a notice assigning everyone to a specific classroom. Each student was expected to go to their designated classroom on their own and wait for further instructions. Luckily they were assigned to the same classroom. but that was probably because Uncle Max arranged it.

“I guess these seats will do,” said Ragnar as he sat down in the chair furthest back.

“Good lord,” said Ymil as he took the seat next to him. “The teacher will look like an ant from back here.”

“Deal with it,” said Ragnar as he looked around the room. The classroom itself was fairly small considering the size of the student body, there were about 300 small wooden desks spread throughout the room and there was a chalk board mounted on the front wall. Next to the board stood a larger desk, obviously dedicated to the teacher, where lots of books and papers littered its surface. There were only two doorways, one in the front and one in the back, and the entire wall opposite them was made of glass.

What this classroom was lacking was students. Ragnar and Ymil had woken up early that morning and had decided to go to class right away.

“Got any idea as to what kind of classmates we’ll have?” asked Ragnar.

“No clue. Let’s just hope it’s not some Noble,” answered Ymil, carefully observing the front entrance.

The first student to walk in was a boy with rough, blonde hair. His face was covered with freckles and his eyes were silver grey. He walked in with nonchalance and exuded an aura of boldness that only an eleven year old would wear proudly. As he walked in he immediately noticed the two boys staring in the back.

‘Talk about bad luck,’ they both thought. The run-in with the blonde Noble yesterday had left a bad taste in their mouths. Their hearts sank even more when the boy came walking in their direction with a large grin on his face.

“Looks like we’re early,” said the boy.

“Yeah,” replied Ragnar with a grimace. “We just claimed the best spot. The early bird gets the worm, so don’t go pulling rank on us to get it.” He held his desk tightly as he said this.

The boy was amused by this. “Haha, what makes you think I could do that?”

Ragnar looked the boy in the eyes and scowled, “Because nobility scum has the tendency to do stuff like that.”

The boy’s amusement had been replaced by full on laughter. He was laughing heartily, much to the confusion of the other two.

“Hay Lance, you hear that? These guys think we’re Nobles!” shouted the boy to the entrance.

With those words another student appeared in the doorway. This was also a blonde boy with silver eyes, but whereas the first boy had unruly golden hair, this boy’s hair was neatly combed and a lot longer. He also wore blue-brimmed glasses that made him look infinitely more intelligent.

“N-Nobles?” stuttered this boy called Lance. He stood in front of the classroom and shook his head violently.

“N-No, you a-are mis-staken. We are b-but s-sons of a l-local farmer,” said Lance. “W-we don’t h-have a p-penny to our n-name.”

“Aw, come on Lance. How are you gonna make friends if you’re shy like that? Come over here!”

The first boy motioned his brother to come hither. Ragnar and Ymil’s displeasured looks had already vanished entirely. ‘Even if they’re nobles,’ thought Ragnar, ‘they don’t look as arrogant as the other ones.’

“So yeah, this is my brother Lance,” said the first boy. “And I am Theo. We’re the Katharos brothers. Nice to meet you.” He reached out his hand out to Ragnar.

Ragnar stood up and grabbed the extended hand. “Hi Theo. I’m Ragnar and this here’s Ymil.”

Ymil nodded in confirmation but stayed seated. “We’re from a remote village called Sophia Village so we don’t really know how to deal with nobility.”

Theo laughed, “Then I’ll give you a tip. Don’t say stuff like that to actual nobility. They’ll have your head for it.”

“Nah,” said Ragnar with a slight smile. “Since I have blue hair people assume I’m a Noble too. Ymil will just have to become my lackey.”

Ymil stared daggers at Ragnar. What was the point of pretending to be a Noble if you’re going to tell everyone anyways?

“Sure, right after you grow a brain, numbskull. That’s supposed to stay a secret.”

“Who are you calling a numbskull?!” exclaimed Ragnar, nudging his fist against Ymil’s shoulder.

“Y-you can d-do that?” asked Lance. He’d been worried about upsetting a Noble for a long time. Upset the wrong Noble and you could be cleaning toilets for the rest of your life.

“Is there a law that says you can’t?” asked Ragnar as he looked at the stuttering boy.

“You know, that’s actually pretty smart,” said Theo. “Mind if we join in on this? You did think I was a Noble in the first place, right?”

“I think you’d pass, but your brother? He’s not arrogant enough,” said Ragnar while pointing at Lance.

“Oh, he’ll come around. I know he might seem shy right now, but once he gets to know you he’ll get better.”

“S-sure,” said lance as he looked at his feet.

“Then it’s settled, we’re all Nobles from now on,” said Ragnar as extended his hand to Theo again.

“Yeah, let’s make the most of it,” replied Theo and he shook it.

“With the exception of Ymil, off course,” said Ragnar. “You’re just too plain to be a noble.”

“I can live with that, oh great Lord Ragnar,” answered Ymil. “Go on guys, take a seat.” Both Theo and Lance sat down in front of the two boys they had just met. At least they made some allies on their first day.

As new people started to stream into to classroom they stopped mentioning the ‘pretend to be Noble’ plan and went on to talk about their personal lives. The Katharos brothers lived under very similar circumstances as Ragnar and Ymil: they grew up in a remote village and were the sons of a local farmer. Their father had taken care of them since they can remember, their mother had apparently died in childbirth. Ragnar and Ymil explained that they came from Sophia Village, a peaceful but remote little town. When they mentioned that they fought a few Fae back in the day the Katharos brothers were in awe. The only kinds of Fae they had even encountered were those that would suck your intestines. They very interested in the Fae so Ragnar explained some of them in more detail.

“Well, you see. Mud Fae are actually quite stupid creature that…” he said but his voice trailed off into the distance as he saw one of the new students walk into the room.

Seeing Ragnar’s gaze, the other three all looked in the same direction and saw a beautiful red haired girl walk in. Her fiery hair and blazing eyes attracted the attention of everyone in the room. Even Lance, the stuttering shy boy, couldn’t help but stare.

But Ragnar and Ymil weren’t staring because of that. The girl that just walked in was the same person Ragnar had fought the day before.

“See something you like?” asked Theo to Ragnar with a sly grin.

“No, it’s just that we fought yesterday and she seemed to handle herself quite well in a fight,” answered Ragnar.

“What do you expect? She’s obviously nobility, like an actual noble,” replied Theo. “I’m amazed you’re not dead.”

“Are they really that powerful? Ragnar was hit by her magic but he didn’t seem fazed by it,” asked Ymil, diverting his gaze from the girl. “Stop staring guys, she might notice.” Everybody started to look in a different direction.

The girl had noticed the band of boys the moment she walked in. It was not every day that you met someone with blue hair. She wanted to walk up to them and get to know the guy that took her magic as if it were nothing.

*KACHOW*

Before the girl could reach the back she stopped as a loud snapping noise resonated throughout the room. The entire class fell silent and looked in the direction the sound came from.

In front of the classroom stood a man Ymil recognized in an instant. This man had ventured into his bookstore not too long ago and had left quite the impression on him. The golden dragon embroidered onto his toga looked as majestic as ever and the fiery whip was still incredibly intimidating.

“Please sit down, everyone,” said the man, obviously the teacher. The red haired girl shot a glance towards the boys but decided that now’s not the time to confront them so she sat down in the seat closest to her. Everyone followed suit and the entire class was sitting, watching this whip wielding adult with awe in their eyes. That whip looked painful.

The teacher looked around and he noticed the fair amount of odd hair colors in the classroom. ‘Good god,’ he thought, ‘I got a lot of Nobles this year. Let’s see how this’ll turn out.’ He then noticed Ymil sitting in the back and couldn’t help but reveal a slight smile. ‘At least one of them has brains, so maybe I’m in luck.’

“Alright everyone. Listen up,” said the man with a loud but gentle voice. “My name is Jack Niris and I will be your main teacher from today onwards. Other than taking…”

As teacher Jack was talking a new student walked into the classroom. The little girl came in dressed in a bright yellow dress and her eyes cast to the ground. Her short green hair was a mess and her shoelace were untied. She had clearly overslept.

“Ah, look what the cat dragged in,” said Jack as he saw the girl. “A noble should know proper etiquette. You can go pack your things. Go home.” he waved his hands in dismissal as he returned his attention to the class. The little girl looked up at the tall man and her eyes started to water up. She came here because she promised her grandmother she would graduate from this school. Was she really going to get expelled on the first day over something so minor?!

“You’re being unfair!” exclaimed a voice from the middle of the classroom. Everyone’s attention turned to the middle and saw the red-haired girl standing behind her desk. “She’s done nothing wrong, why would she get expelled over something so trivial?”

Jack looked at the girl in surprise. “Oh? Let’s see…” he said as he looked through the names of the students. “Miss Kafsi, was it?”

“Amalia Kafsi, daughter of Kelvin Kafsi, high lord of the north-eastern borders. I demand you give her a fair chance.”

“Oh, you’re not just any noble, but a high lord’s daughter? Alright, if you feel like I’m being unfair you should just say so. Little girl, come on in and take a seat.”

The girl’s eyes grew wide and relief was painted all over her face. She looked at the girl that stood up for her and mouthed a quiet “Thank you” as she sat down in the nearest empty seat.

“Miss Kafsi, please get up and go home. You’ll be taking her place.”

The red-haired girl’s face contorted and her mouth fell open, as did the mouths of everyone else in the classroom.

“Pardon me?” She said. “You call this being ‘fair’?”

“Fair has nothing to do with it. We are an elite school without the ability to pick our students. In order to uphold our image we have to maintain a strict set of regulations. Letting you take her place is a flexibility on my part. Now go on,” said teacher Jack, shooing her away with his hands.

“Fine, if that’s how it is,” said Amalia and she walked towards the exit. The entire class was dead silent as nobody knew how they should react. Everyone stared as the girl strode towards the exit.

When she was almost out the door, the teacher let out a sigh. “I guess we can make an exception just this once…” He didn’t think she’d actually go through with it. This girl was willing to sacrifice her own future for the sake of another, how could he not want a student like this.

“But let this be the last one, any other late comers are out, you understand?”

The girl turned around and started to complain. “That’s not the issue h….”

“YOU UNDERSTAND?!” thundered Jack as he tightened the whip in his hand.

*gulp*

“I understand,” said the girl in defeat.

“Now go back to your seat.”

Amalia walked back to her seat at a high pace and sat down. All eyes were back on the teacher as he was about to continue his introduction.

“Now where was I…? Oh yeah, I was about to tell you the rules of our school.

Rule number one, teachers know best. You might think you’re smarter than a teacher, but you’re not. We’ve had years of experience and tons of combat experience more than you little twerps. When we say you’re wrong, you are.

Rule number two, everyone has to participate in the scheduled competition. You will all be assigned an opponent from another class and will have to fight them at the designated time and place. If you lose you will automatically be expelled from the Academy. You will be assigned 5 fights over the course of the first semester so please be ready for them.

Rule number three, do not provoke the local Fae. You will encounter a few of them, heck you will probably have to fight some of them at some point, but do not provoke them yourselves. We have a non aggression pact with them but it will not uphold if you’re the one taunting them. Some of these Fae are eons old and would destroy you in a matter of seconds.

Rule number four, do not cripple your classmates. You will be sparring with one another during your martial training but you are never to use excessive force. You’ll be needing your killing intent for the competition.

Did I make myself clear?”

All the kids in the room nodded. Teacher knows best, fight for a chance to stay in the Academy, don’t disturb the local Fae and do not hurt your classmates. Those seem simple enough.

“Alright, the n…” continued teacher Jack when suddenly a little boy came walking through the door. His bright orange hair and freckled face looked mischievous and somewhat arrogant. He wore high quality clothes and he wore a smug look on his face as he nonchalantly walked into the room.

“Ah, another late comer? You must have a good excuse to come waltzing in so late.”

“I overslept,” said the boy with raised chin. “I deemed it necessary to sleep some more so I did. Please go on.”

Jack face contorted into a grimace but it was soon replaced by a gentle smile.

“Oh, I’m sorry sir, but would you like me to get you a pillow?”

“That won’t be necessary,” replied the boy. “I think I’ve slept enough, thank you very much.”

“Oh, but you’ll be sleeping a lot more the coming year. I mean, what else would a grand Noble like yourself do when he’s at home?”

“Home? I have no intention of leaving this place.”

“Au contraire, you have every reason to. You either go home or die by my hands,” said teacher Jack as he tightened his grip on his whip. “Which one is it?”

“I chose neither,” said the boy calmly. “I am the son of…”

“I don’t give a rats ass about your father,” said Jack, somewhat losing his cool.”This is my domain, my word is the law around here. You are going back to the dorm, pack your things and head on home. Do you understand?”

“No, I will sit right here and follow your classes,” the boy said while pointing at a desk in the middle of the room. “My dad will…”

*KACHOW*

The desk the boy just pointed at spliced in two. The two pieces flew into the air and the wooden top started to catch fire. All the students around it backed away as fast as they could.

“Oh, but there is no desk there. Now go home.”

“Y-you c-can’t be…” stammered the boy.

“GO HOME” thundered teacher Jack. He made a feint in the boy’s direction.

“Kyaa!” screamed the youth and he ran out the door.

“That’s good, shall I continue now?” said the teacher as he addressed the classroom again.

“My dad will hear about this!” screamed the boy from outside. This fell on deaf ears as teacher Jack continued as if the boy’s words were howling wind.

“So as I said earlier, my name is Jack Niris. I am your homeroom teacher as well as your history teacher. You will find me a reasonable guy as long as you don’t upset me. Some of you might think you’re better than the rest of us but the truth is, you’re not. Your parents are. I will not tolerate cocky or condescending behavior. You are all equal in my class, no matter your social ranking, is that understood?”

The whole classroom stayed silent.

“I said: UNDERSTOOD?”

“Yes sir!” screamed the children as they saw their teacher’s angry face.

“That’s better,” said Jack and he walked towards his desk to pick up a seemingly old book.

“Alright, we’ll start this class with an easy topic: the founding of Halram Kingdom. In approximately 1000AB our ancestors…”