Despite the many advancements over the Atlantis Era, classrooms didn’t change all that much. They seemed to be little different from the early 2000s. Classrooms in other worlds weren’t much different either. Each class had around twenty-five students with desks and a blackboard. With the advancements, blackboards had become holographic computers, and desks were made of mana materials that could be transformed into a small plaque or another object that could be stored in a closet if they weren’t needed, much like how everyone wore their weapons as a piece of jewelry to always keep them on accessible but not in the way. Aside from that, it was just a room full of desks for student learning. I can’t say I disagree that it needs to be any more than that.

“Greetings first years, I am Instructor Line Bach. You may refer to me as Instructor Line,” said the well-endowed, black-haired instructor as she walked in. “I am both a general education instructor and a magic education instructor. You will have me for multiple classes, so let’s please get along.”

She seems genuine. Is there a catch or are academy instructors like this?

“First on our docket is introductions. We assume everyone who enters the academy has been instructed on introductions during your schooling on your home planets. However, we must review the topic. I’d like one volunteer from each major social class to explain the introduction etiquette. Anyone?” Several hands raised, and the instructor chose one of the male students on the left side of the room.

He stood up and began, “Introductions differ based on one’s social status and the social status of the other person or people. As a commoner, I would introduce myself in two different ways. Introductions between commoners are very casual. I would simply say: ‘Hello, I am Colton Becker.’ To noble or royal, I would bow with my right hand over my chest and say: ‘Greetings, I am Colton Becker.’”

“Correct, thus far,” the instructor said. “Do you know the introductions for nobles and royals?”

“I do not. We are not taught the introductions of those higher class than ourselves, only how to introduce ourselves to them, and I have never met a noble or royal before the academy.”

“That is an acceptable response. Thank you. You may be seated.” The instructor glanced around at who else had raised their hand and selected a noble this time. “You there, please explain noble introductions.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she said. “Noble introductions have been altered recently in the Royal Conference and are no longer segregated by class, but by gender. All noble males bow with their hand on their chest and say: “Greetings, I am X.” All noble females curtsy instead. As such, I would curtsy and say: “Greetings, I am Isabell Strauss’.”

“Correct. Now the royal introduction. You there.”

Danielle stood up and explained, “I’d like to elaborate. Noble introductions have been updated to match royal introductions. As such, my introductions are identical with one exception. I would curtsy and say: ‘Greetings. I am Danielle Maya of Drachenheim.’ Royals always include the planet they represent. In addition, we also have a long introduction. Long introductions also include our parents and our founding ancestors. As such I would say: ‘I am Danielle Maya of Drachenheim, daughter and second-born Queen Draelana Maya, great-granddaughter of Lord Drayon Maya, and great-great-granddaughter of Lord Drakon Maya.’”

“Correct,” the instructor said. “Here in the academy, social classes are not as important. You are all students and will introduce yourselves the same to everyone. Long introductions are irrelevant to commoners and antiquated for nobles, so they will not be used at all. Commoners will be treated as nobles and will use noble introductions.” She paused for a moment. “Royals may continue including their planet, but it is not necessary here. Attendants including their lord or lady is also optional. Is anyone unclear on that?” She waited a moment for a student to respond. With the silence, she continued, “Very well. Beginning with the front left desk,” she gestured to her right, “going row by row, begin.”

“The introductions took a while,” Kye said to her mother over a NeuraPhone call. “But I suppose that’s to be expected with a full room of people doing them.”

“How were your general classes afterward?”

“The math, language, and science classes were boring, but the history class was rather informative.”

“You never had any trouble with the first three, so I can’t say I’m surprised there, and you showed quite a bit of interest in history. What stuck out the most to you?”

“The way eras are handled. The Atlantis Era is split so far into one hundred sets of 0-99999. By my quick math, Uncle James’s joke in the opening ceremony is also true. Which means, all the founders are that old and the Atlantis sister are even older.”

“Relatively speaking, they aren’t much older. Another few thousand years.”

“I see. My official birthday is written as AE100-11986-12-10?”

“Yes. How was Line Bach? I see that she’s your main instructor this year.”

“I have no negative opinions of her so far and it’s too early to have positive opinions. Does she know of my white mana?”

“She does not. Not many do. Alethea is one thing, but not many knew of her possession of it until that reveal yesterday, either. At the moment it’s strictly kept to royals and archnobles and only those that actively contribute to magical and technological advancement.”

“Archnobles, you say? There are a few of those in my class. What are the odds any of them know?”

“Let me look at your class roster, real quick.” After a moment, Layla continued, “You have Isabell Strauss, Louise Chevalier, and Adrian Zelenov in your class. The first two are from Terra and the last is from Daemonheim. I can tell you with 100% certainty that Louise Chevalier knows. She has an interest in your manasteel enchantment method and has researched it quite a bit in the past few years.”

“And I suppose I can blame the restrictive upbringing we royals and nobles for what I haven’t met her until coming here.”

“Yes. I’m sorry, Kye, I’ve been trying to get the other royals on board with upending that law, but most of them are against it. It’s just myself, James, Allison, Mikan, and Leonardo that are for it. Even your father is against it.”

“I see. Perhaps after I succeed him things will have a better chance of changing. Myself, Liliana, and Aliana are three more voices for change, and I’m sure Alethea will be on board, too.”

“Speaking of her... I’m aware that you did not return to your own suite last night. While monitoring of individuals’ private spaces is not allowed, we do monitor the hallways. You know this much and surely expected I’d find out, yes? You left last night with Liliana and followed one of Alethea’s attendants to her room. You did not leave until early this morning with Alethea in the group when you two left to go spar in the training grounds. Is there something I should know about?”

“Umm... well... that’s a longer conversation that I think we should have over dinner, rather than over the phone.”

“I see. Then you shall come to my suite tonight. Be sure to bring Liliana and Aliana. I will handle inviting Alethea myself. Are you sure there’s nothing you wish to say on this subject ahead of time?”

“Ah... well... would you believe we’re both reincarnations and spent an entire past life together?”

“I see. Anything truthful on the subject?”

“It’s love.”

“In that case, we’ll discuss it in detail tonight.” Layla hung up

Kye opened her eyes and lowered her left hand from her temple. Due to the difficulty to tell if somebody is on a phone call with the NeuraPhone, etiquette was established when they were still new that people hold a hand to their head while in public with only the index and middle fingers outstretched.

“My mother knows about last night,” Kye said. Alethea, Liliana, and Aliana perked up instantly. The four were having lunch together in the main cafeteria. Alethea sat next to Kye and the Venturi sisters across the table from them.

“H-how much d-does she know?” Alethea asked.

“Not much, just that I never returned to my room last night. She doesn’t know where I slept, but I can’t exactly lie to her if she asks... so that’s going to be an interestingly painful conversation.”

“Oh, one moment,” Alethea said. “I just got an emergency message.”

“Uh oh...”

Alethea began waving her hand around as if touching an invisible screen, which in fact she was navigating through her NeuraPhone’s user interface. Her expression changed from curious to frightened rather quickly. “One new message from Royal Academy Instructor Layla Barrett. You are invited to attend a private dinner tonight at 18:00.”

“Yeah...” Kye had a look on her face that said “I’m dead.” Liliana and Aliana both moved their hands in front of them in a cross pattern. “HEY!”

“Shi-chan, I’m scared!”

“Shi-chan?” Liliana echoed.

“Short for Shiori. We lived in basically Japan in that life,” Kye explained. “We knew each other since we were little kids in that world and she called me Shi-chan in private since then. To me she was Saya-chan. And our daughter was Suzuka or Suzu-chan.”

“Ah.”

“Shi-chan, is your mother scary?”

“Eh... well kinda? Of the three... Allison is scary because she’s always so serious and will all but kill you if you mess up in training, James is a goofball and isn’t scary in the slightest, and Layla is very gentle and kind but... how to put it... if Allison is the quiet but serious one and James the goofy but reliable one, then Layla is the kind but strict one.”

“Basically, what she’s saying is Layla might kill you both at dinner tonight,” James said as he suddenly appeared and startled them. “So I’m reliable, huh? Interesting conversation you’re having. So, what’s the sauce? Allison and I have been dragged into this dinner date, too.”

“Instructor J-James!” Alethea stood up and began to curtsy. “I am-”

“Easy there, no need for all that,” he interrupted. “I’m talking right now as Kye’s family, not staff. Technically that would still require introductions, but whatever. I’ve never been a stickler for etiquette.”

“O-oh,” she said as she sat back down. “Uhm...”

“So, Uncle James, what would you say if I told you I left my suite yesterday evening to have tea with Alethea and didn’t leave her suite until this morning?”

“I’d say you’re in hot shit. Allison and I won’t give two shits, but your mother... you did well to describe her as strict. Oh boy. I’ll have to think of some way to distract her from it. What do you think-”

“Join us for a moment,” Kye said, gesturing to the empty seat next to her.

“Oh? Got some juicy secret you wanna let your dear old uncle in on?”

“Yes, actually. Alethea, may I? It’s your secret as much as mine.”

“I don’t mind,” she said.

“James, what do you know of other universes?”

“That’s a rather unusual question. And the way you asked it... you know a bit about it yourself, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“So let’s see... some of what I know is top secret and even you cannot be told such before you’re recognized as an adult, but I can tell share the rest. Our world is comprised of five universes, which means we live in a multiverse. There are some studies with evidence that other multiverses exist, but it’s not yet been proven. Travel between our own universes is common enough, but we cannot venture any further outward. Does that satisfy you or shall I continue?”

Kye looked around, having noticed that the cafeteria was beginning to get busier. “Actually, we should talk after school. This is a rather involved topic and I don’t think we’ll finish before lunchtime is over, even if we use a call or telepathy. Can we meet right after school?”

“Sure, I’ll make time. Do you know where my office is?”

“Yes.”

“Come there when you finish classes today, all four of you.”