Having living in the underground most of my life, I never went to school. I had no basis whatsoever regarding what were common occurrences and what was more Ergos-specific.

I was more than aware of the fact that Ergos was different. From its approach, its quality, to its very students. From all the stories I had heard, and from my knowledge, I judged and made a few assumptions of the type of people I would encounter at Ergos—the types of interactions I would have.

However, apparently, I was too hasty.

“Cousin Thomas doubted I would ever get accepted. Called me dumb and all the bad words. But when I got accepted to this class, he said it was only a matter of time before I got myself expelled. My sister was happy for me, tho. Gave me a new pair of shoes.”

“Your cousin sounds like a jerk,” Ceres replied with her lips covered in cream.

For, apparently, even at a place like Ergos there were people who would do their best to seek new friendships.

And what better opportunity than when there were only nine of us.

“Well, he’s alright, I suppose. Father says my aunt spoils him too much, but my mom says my uncle should be more strict with him. So I guess it’s not cousin Thomas’ fault.”

My head hurt as I tried to focus.

I tried, to no avail, to temper with the functionality of my ears. At that moment, I was considering permanent deafness.

“That’s right! Which electives did you choose?”

“I wanted Professor Bel’s, but by the time it got to my turn, they were already closed. My sister said I should enroll in at least one elective, no matter which one, so I picked the one that still had some spots left. Don’t recall the name now. But first class will be today!”

There were two electives starting today; Foundational Alchemy: Adaptive Alchemy, with Professor Arke. And The Art of Aerial Mechanics, with Professor Taliesin.

Considering Professor Arke’s elective was far too advanced for a reinforcement class student—and a highly sought-after elective, at that—there was only one logical conclusion.

One that bothered me. Profoundly.

The human being who, apparently, had forgotten how to stop talking was named Elowen. Somehow, in the brief period we did not see each other, he and Ceres got quite friendly with each other. From the moment they both sat down—next to me—whenever the professor left the classroom, or an opportunity appeared, they would start talking.

And never stopped.

The boy was quite young, not older than sixteen; even if his face was that of a thirteen-year-old. He had brown hair and eyes, warm and soft colors that seemed to enhance even more his innocent aura. I knew for a fact he hadn’t made it to the highlights, and judging by his clothes, he was probably one of the youngest sons of some smaller noble house.

“Vex, your elective with Professor Kairon will start next week, right?”

The boy’s eyes sparkled with both envy and awe, yet in his voice all I could hear was admiration.

“You registered to one of Professor Bel’s electives? Which one? Are you excited? And could I come to watch?”

I replied without glancing his way, continuing to write the summary of the past lesson.

“Yes. T.E.A.R.S. I’m fine. And you should ask Belenus Kairon, not me.”

Somehow, Elowen got even more ecstatic. “That’s the one I wanted! Are you also interested in using tools during races? Cousin Thomas says I should either focus on good weapons or a good trainer for my dragon. I think he is just being an idiot.”

For once, I agreed.

There was no best approach when it came to tactics. Each rider had to consider their own strengths and shortcomings, as well their dragon’s, to come up with the most ideal game-plan for their races. Which was why Ergos had lessons of Alchemy, Engineering, and Aerial Combat for Riders, among others.

It was also why Ergos was one of the most prestigious and sought-after academies—very few could match their curriculum in terms of quality and completeness.

I noticed Belenus had returned from the break because suddenly, Ceres and Elowen stopped talking. Yet I only realized the man was in a sour mood when I heard his voice.

“Listen here, this is important.” The professor started to write on the board the second he stepped into the classroom, all the remaining students tensing in their seats. “The higher-ups started pestering me, so we are changing the first exam’s date to the end of this week.”

Even if I couldn’t hear it, by our expressions alone one could tell how nine hearts dropped into the ground.

The exams should happen every two weeks.

We were on our fourth day.

“Written exam will take place in the morning, practical one in the evening. Since the written exam was already done, write down these books and look them up in the library.” As the professor turned to face us, I saw there was a lot more than simply annoyance fouling his mood. “If you want to complain, go talk shit at the Administration or cry to the director. If I hear even a single whine, I’m going to fail this entire class. ”

Both Ceres and Elowen held their breaths. I could feel my head throbbing, my palms damp and cold.

Belenus gave us three minutes to write all the information down before proceeding with the day’s lesson. He didn’t change the pacing, much less the content. However, even if a couple of students glared at the man with a newfound hate and loath, I knew that wasn’t on him. In fact, Belenus Kairon appeared to be almost as angry and frustrated.

To me, it was almost too obvious. From the very beginning, Ergos was making it crystal clear how they viewed this class.

A philanthropic project.

A benevolent initiative.

Something we should be the most thankful for. Yet they didn’t want us here.

It was why they were pushing forward the exams, why they picked Belenus Kairon to be responsible for the class. Because they wanted to see exactly how many of us could remain in this unruled chaos until the end.

Because to Ergos, either you were one of the very best or you were nothing.

----------------------------------------

“You didn’t tell me you registered for this elective as well! Which elective you wanted that was already full? Was it the other one from Professor Bel?”

“I registered for this elective because I wanted to.”

Elowen gave me a baffled gaze, tilting his head. “Professor Tal’s? Why?”

I sighed.

After Belenus let me watch his advanced class, before I started to work on the report he asked, I passed by the reception to see if there were any electives with spots left. I arrived a few minutes before the time limit, and was somewhat surprised to see the second elective I wanted was still open.

I had heard the rumors about Professor Taliesin. His lessons were usually avoided, and the main reason his electives had as many students as they did was because they became students' “only option” after all the other electives they wanted became full.

Which was something I couldn’t understand. Not when Taliesin Morr’s lessons were one of the most important in the entire curriculum.

Unless the man taught in a completely different way than the books he wrote, I couldn’t see why his classes were not more appreciated. There were only seventeen students present.

I know his classes are highly theoretical, but still…

“I read his books.” That was the reply I chose to give Elowen, hoping it would be enough to dissuade him from talking with me.

Apparently, I hoped wrong.

“He has published books before? About what, flight theory as well? Do you think I can do better in this elective if I read his books? My sister says I should read more if I want to be smart, but my father told me I would do better by achieving things I can actually show to others. Like prizes and such.”

“Your father has a point.”

“He does?”

“But your sister is also right.”

The boy’s frown got deeper. “You think?”

Before I replied to Elowen despite myself, the professor entered the room. And his image was so strikingly different from Belenus, it even gave me a pause.

The man’s ashen hair was cut extremely short, staying above his ears. The round glasses not only gave him a softer and more intellectual impression, it complemented his formal attire alongside the bow tie, suspenders, and gloves.

Taliesin’s eyes quickly glanced over the room, without uttering a single sound, placing his coat on top of the chair and his leather bag on the table. Only after he removed everything from his bag—a total of five hardcover books, two journals, a pouch of chalk, a quill and an inkpot, and a small bundle of paper—did he positioned himself in front of the class.

“Well, I hope you all are having a good evening. I can see a few familiar faces, yet I judge most of you are first-years, yes?” There were a few nods. “Not an issue…not at all.”

Yet I could hear some tiredness in the man’s voice as he crossed his arms and tapped his fingers.

“In any case, to all of those who registered for this elective either by mistake or by misfortune, I shall explain the course overview and if there are any inquiries you wish to make, just raise your hand and I shall address them.”

As the professor wrote the elective’s name on the board, I noticed how beautiful his handwriting was. The cursive letters were elegant and pleasant to look at, something my eyes highly appreciated after gazing at Belenus’ unleashed chaos of sticks connected to each other to form words.

Not only that, but Professor Tal knew how to explain things. The elective’s subject was something quite complex: how to apply the concepts of aerodynamics in order to orchestrate and elaborate better game-plans during races. Yet as he went over the subjects and topics we would go over, I found myself getting more and more excited.

As Jackal, I read a few of Taliesin Morr’s books. The fact they focused on a strategical perspective of dragon races, going into details about best practices for flight patterns and formations, is what gave me great insight on how to instruct my riders during races. From the very moment I opened his books I could tell—this man is a genius.

And he had just become my professor.

Taliesin suddenly glanced at his black crystal, raising his eyebrows.

“I believe all is set now, perfect. All right, let’s go to the gymnasium for a brief moment, everyone. I have something to show you.”

Most students seemed happy they were leaving the classroom, while others had the glow of death and gloom over their eyes.

The gymnasium was not far, less than a five-minute walk. Yet before we could enter the space, Taliesin stopped in front of the door to look at us.

“To better motivate you to not drop this elective on day one, I prepared a surprise for you, alongside a very dear student. This way you can all see how the theory taught in class can be applied in real scenarios.”

Right then, I wished he had never opened those doors.

“I cannot promise you this will be a recurrent thing since we must take miss Harris’ schedule into consideration. Forget not, she is doing an immense favor to all of you, me especially.”

I wished I had prepared myself. Shielded my thoughts and emotions so they would not run rampant once again. So that this would not be our next encounter.

Yet there was nothing I could do but watch Alantra Harris standing beside her dragon. Much less about the fact that when our eyes met, she recognized me.

She remembered the pathetic nobody who challenged her.

And the challenge she accepted.