Chapter 23: First Day at the Academy
The next morning, Coal, Gwen, and Gary wake up early, eager to begin their first day at the academy.
After getting dressed and having breakfast at the inn, they make their way to the academy.
As they walk through the gates, they are awestruck by the grandeur of the academy.
It is a massive, sprawling complex of buildings, with manicured lawns, elegant fountains, and statues of legendary heroes and beasts scattered throughout.
They make their way to the registration desk, where they are greeted by a stern-looking woman who asks for their names and scrolls through a large book before handing them their schedules and room assignments.
Luckily for the Dthic party the rooms were assigned in order of registration, and since they all came together their rooms were right next to each other’s.
Their rooms are small, but cozy with a bed against the wall on the right and a desk touching the bed and the opposite wall and a window overseeing a courtyard.
They all quickly unpack and settle in before wishing each other luck and heading off to their respective primary schools.
The fire school was located to the north of the academy near an inactive volcano that generated fire spiritual energy.
The earth school was located to the west of the academy near mountains and ravines.
The water school was located to the south near lakes and underground rivers.
The wind school was located to the east within a forest.
The other numerous schools that dealt with many fewer students were situated within the center of all these schools, separated yet still close in proximity compared to the larger, more common schools.
Coal heads towards the fire school, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
He passes by students of all shapes and sizes, some with distinctive features such as horns or tails, and others looking completely human.
As he approaches the fire school, he can feel the heat emanating from the volcano.
The school building is made of dark, sturdy stone with windows carved into the walls to let in light.
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Coal makes his way to his classroom and takes a seat, waiting for his teacher to arrive.
The room is filled with other fire students, some chatting amongst themselves, and others reading their textbooks.
After a few minutes, the teacher arrives and begins the lesson.
“Welcome students to the Fire School,” the teacher says, a smile on her face.
“My name is Professor Blaze, and I will be your instructor for this class.”
She goes on to introduce herself further, explaining her background and experiences with fire magic. She then proceeds to teach the students about the basics of fire magic, including its properties, strengths, and weaknesses.
“I’m sure you all know that fire is a very destructive force, but that it can also be very fragile.
Fire is one of the first things that helped humanity rise out of being the cavemen we were before.
It can take down entire forests, but a strong enough wind, rain, can put fires out.
You must strive to create a flame that can fare well against anything.
It should not fade away against the strongest of winds or the heaviest of rains.
The only thing that should be able to extinguish your flame should be yourself.
Now these matrices are the basic ones you should use to improve your spells.
This line increases the power output while this one can lessen them.” - Professor Blaze
Coal is fascinated by the lesson, and he takes careful notes to study later on.
Once the lesson was over Professor Blaze summoned her own Flame Familiar.
A giant fire appeared in the air and once the initial flash of fire faded, a giant scaly fire serpent floated in the sky.
“This is Orobor, she became my contracted familiar when I was around your age. She was as small as a worm then, but look at her now.” - Professor Blaze
After the class, Coal meets up with Gwen and Gary, who had just finished their own classes in the wind and metal schools.
“You should’ve seen it guys, the Metal professor’s familiar was twenty meters tall and made entirely of a metal I don’t know.
It was able to actively change its limbs into weapons or different limbs, and nothing we did could put a dent or scratch on it.” - Gary
“Haha, well that has nothing on professors contracted familiar, it was literally a dragon.
The dragon was just so cool! It flew so fast it made booms in the air and a small wave of its claws was able to make holes in metal plates.” - Gwen
“I wish I could’ve seen them, alright let’s head on over to the Earth school guys.” - Coal
Gwen and Gary nod in agreement, and the three of them head towards the earth school.
As they walk, Coal can't help but feel excited about what he will learn in his earth magic classes.
When they arrive at the earth school, Coal notices that the building is made of stone, and the entrance is carved into the side of a hill.
Inside, the corridors are dimly lit, and the air is cool and damp.
Coal makes his way to his classroom, which is filled with other earth students.
The teacher, the small gnome with earthy brown hair from their examination, greets the class and begins the lesson.
“Good morning, students. Today, we will be focusing on the basics of earth magic. Earth magic is all about using the power of the earth to your advantage.
This can include creating earthquakes, moving boulders, and even creating golems out of mud or stone." - Gnome Professor
The lessons continued with the Gnome professor showing spells and matrices to the new students.
He created golems quickly and described how the students who wished to pursue the path of golem creation should create certain energy points and joints within the golems to make them more powerful or efficient.
One the class was over, Coal, Gwen, and Gary headed back to their dorm rooms all the while continuing to discuss their day.
Before heading off to bed for the next day, they decided to play some cards again.