Chapter 8: Chapter 7

Getting out early gave me almost an extra hour which I used in conjunction with the usual hour break between classes to fall asleep in one of the study rooms the library has. It wasn’t a great idea for a multitude of reasons, but nothing happened so it worked out- just need to remember not to do that again. It might be worth looking into finding an actual on-campus sleeping spot since I’ll probably need a nap after that class anyway…

 

Putting that aside, it was time for world history. I had some memories of this world’s history, but that came in the form of barely remembered campfire stories and fairytales. When I got to the classroom, I was surprised by the number of empty seats. It wasn’t quite time for class to start, but usually more people are at their classes around this time before the start. What made it weirder was the fact the teacher looked resigned to this, meaning it was common.

 

 Do people skip because it’s boring? Probably not, history is pretty fun to learn about for some people and more wouldn’t want to get in trouble with The Academy for skipping. 

 

Is it because they don’t like the teacher? I don’t know how she teaches, but the professor doesn’t look like they’d do anything that would give them a reputation bad enough for people to skip. I mean, they’re a fairly short human with big glasses- not that openly threatening and from their greetings as I came in, she’s also fairly soft-spoken.

 

After a bit more thinking, I did figure it out right before class started. Most of the students here are some sort of nobility. That means they have likely been learning this sort of thing since they could talk. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could pass this class by taking a test instead of showing up, as the Student Council who make rules for this sort of thing would also be made of a vast majority of nobility.

 

Because there were much less of us in the class, the introductions were shorter- which means that there was a bit of actual teaching near the end. It mostly consisted of some basic, early history to The Academy itself that went a bit like this:

 

Before the founding of The Academy, there was a small port town where it currently stands. The town sat perfectly on the border of four countries, and was a popular- but not too important- stop for traders going between them. One of the countries decided that they would break the unwritten agreement to let the town just exist, which was made with the idea that fighting over such a small place wouldn’t make sense. Some historians attribute this seizure as the actions of a new, younger king of that nation- but there isn’t consensus. 

When this occupation occurred, it just so happened that the husband of one of the other nation’s queens was passing through and was caught in the mess. As an experienced diplomat, they tried to negotiate or enforce the precedent that had existed over this town- however the leader of the first countries forces in the operation was temperamental, and had the man executed without checking his identity.

Needless to say, this was grounds for war- however the queen also tried to be diplomatic and not start a war between two world-powers. The king of the offending country was a bit flippant to the envoys, and through some heavily disputed events- started a war between the two countries. 

This would have been less of a big deal had all four not had a confusing mess of non-aggression pacts, defense treaties, and ‘forcefull agreements’ between not only the central governments, but also all their vassals and regional governments with each other. In trying to enforce all of these, all four countries had civil wars sparked while also fighting each other. 

 

The reason why none of these countries or leaders have been named is that the only surviving records come from personal diaries of some soldiers or traders- who might not have known in the first place- and The Headmaster’s personal account. It is important to note no one knows if The Headmaster was there at the time somehow, or if the story is passed down between them. If they were there, then they’d somehow be older than literally everyone alive by a generation or dozen- depending on race. If it is passed down between headmasters, that brings up the question of how there is not one recorded instance of the headmaster changing. After class, I spent the rest of the day not really doing anything but wasting time and went to bed earlier than I normally do.

 

Waking up once again, I sincerely hoped that I’m able to adjust to this schedule soon. The second and third years yesterday showed it’s certainly possible. Despite my exhaustion, couriering was the same: pick though a few routes to find one that’s acceptable and take it. After I got back I headed off to the library, which was quickly becoming my not-home hangout. My history class yesterday made me more interested in who the Headmaster was, especially since I had a meeting with them later today.

 

As expected, there weren’t any books that focused on them, and only a couple I could find that mentioned them. After piecing scraps of information together from two volumes concerning the formation of The Academy, all I could be certain of was that whenever a headmaster was present, they wore clothing that completely obscured their appearance. Spending two hours for just that was disheartening, but I guess if much more was known there’d likely be a book dedicated to the enigmatic figure leading this city-state.

 

After putting the books on the return carts and plopping myself in a chair like a sack of potatoes, I gave into my exhaustion. Once again I was saved by the bell waking me up in time to make it to class.

 

Being a fitness class, this one was held in one of the big fields on campus. The only reason I knew it was the right place to be was the sign the teacher was holding. I say holding, but it was really just resting in their lap as they sat on the only chair. The rest of the students were standing or sitting on the grass waiting for the class to start. In this group was Quartz once again, who seemed very irritated about something.

 

As I got closer, the teacher tilted their head to look at me, gave me a once over and said, “Ah’m going to guess yer from one of the early morning clubs?”

When I responded confirming this, they smiled, muttered “two-for-three this class,” before more audibly telling me to try not to be too late and make sure to get enough sleep.

 

When the bells for class to start rang out, our teacher asked everyone to stand while doing so themself. They were tall, like 225cm tall. After fake-coughing to get everyone’s attention, they started, ”Hello students, just to make sure- y’all here for the 9am Fitness and Combat class? I will not be doing serious attendance, ‘owever it is important that y’all make sure to stay fit and healthy as you study here.

Just ‘cause I’m a bit lax in my attitude doesn’t mean I don’t know what 'm doing. Before teaching here, I was one of the trainers for The Isendirian Combined Regiments. However, after a bit more’n ten years of sending people off tah possible deaths, I decided to fill the position here.”

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Hearing this surprised me. He didn’t fit my idea of a military trainer: he was kinda skinny, had long hair, and didn’t look beat up. Quartz also had a reaction, although it was in the form of a scoff and a mutter to the person next to her who nodded and rolled their eyes.

 

From here the class was some basic fitness training like running, pushups, and situps. As this was going on, our teacher occasionally would give some advice or encouragement. By the end of the hour he told us that we’d be training in groups by level of fitness, but if someone wanted to take it easy for a day or challenge themself- changing groups was allowed. I got placed in the middle group- which was expected- and Quartz was smugly placed in the highest group- which was not expected.

 

What was also not expected was when the teacher said they’d be doing daily 7:30am training sessions if anyone was interested- although I only noticed one or two people who perked up at this. Other important information we were told was to bring an extra set of clothes to change into for the future and that there were showers in one of the buildings around the field for us to use. 

 

I was quick about freshening up and getting out. I was feeling a little self conscious, but mostly just worried about meeting with The Headmaster after my next class.  

 

Surprisingly, I felt mostly awake as I arrived in the Basic Academic Skills classroom. I guess the exercise helped stave off the lethargy, which means I should probably go to the earlier training sessions… 

 

As the teaching came in to start the class they mentioned that the tests from yesterday would be handed back. The average was apparently around 50%, with one person getting everything right. We were told not to worry about the score- it was just to see where the class was before starting lessons for real. When I got my test back I noticed it said 100% at the top, with “See me after class” right under. This triggered a small panic attack, which worsened after I recalled I also had the special meeting instead of my last class- leading me to melt onto my desk for most of the two hours.

 

After class finished, I just stayed there while everyone trickled out. After everyone else was gone I got up and walked over to the desk at the front saying “You wanted to see me?” in the least shaky voice I could manage.

 

“Why yes- I’ll be quite blunt: this test covered most of the topics that will be covered in this class this semester, you either shouldn’t be able to answer them all or shouldn’t be in this class. Which is it?”

 

“Probably the second one?”

 

“So why are you in this class? Wanted it easy?”

 

“I was just given my schedule, it’s not like I could’ve chosen to be here.”

 

“So you are saying that choosing not to take the placement test and simply letting yourself be put here does not equate to choosing to take an easier class?”

 

“There’s a placement test?”

 

Saying that got me a blank stare and look of disbelief. After just sitting there for a dozen seconds of uncomfortable silence, the professor sighed and said, “You should see Administration to take a placement test for next semester- and we should ask The Headmaster what to do for this semester.”

 

My reply of “Oh, I have a meeting with them instead of my next class” got me another look of disbelief, followed by a look of resignation, and a tired “ahh, I see then. You’re good to go in that case. Good luck.”

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