They stepped into a grand hall, the ceiling a masterpiece of artistry that seemed to stretch infinitely upwards. It was like gazing into the heart of a cosmic storm, swirling with colors that danced and shifted, casting a soft, ethereal light over the space. The walls were adorned with murals depicting scenes of battles and celebrations, of creatures both terrifying and magnificent, and of the colossal bird that had captured their imaginations earlier. The siblings craned their necks, taking in the grandeur that surrounded them.
The children's laughter grew fainter as they approached the room where their class was gathering. Ha-Yoon and Si-woo hovered at the doorway, unsure of what to do next. That's when a woman, so beautiful that she seemed to glow, walked into the room. Her long white hair was pulled back into a ponytail, with two curly strands framing her face. Her eyes were a deep blue with flecks of green, like the ocean's depths that seemed to know everything.
"Welcome, students," she announced in a graceful yet firm tone. The chatter of the children dissipated, replaced by a hushed anticipation. The woman's graceful gaze swept over the room, and for a moment, it felt as if she were looking directly at them. With a smile she said, "Please find your seats," her eyes lingering for a fraction of a second longer before moving on.
The siblings exchanged nervous glances, but the children around them didn't seem to care. They were ushered in and found themselves in a room that looked like a school but was unlike any they had ever seen. The desks were made of a transparent material, and the chalkboard was replaced by a large, floating orb that pulsed with shifting colors and patterns.
They sat in the open seats at the back of the classroom opposite of each other, their hearts racing. The students around them were all of the same species with a vast array of hair and eye colors, all with pointed ears and sharp eyes.
"Welcome, young ones," the woman announced, her voice like a bell, clear and resonant. "I'm Princess Deane, and welcome to the beginning of a new year at the young academy of Ondur.
The room buzzed with excitement, and Ha-Yoon felt a strange sensation like a cool breeze caressing her cheek. It was the first time she had felt something soothing since they had arrived in this bizarre world. She looked at Si-woo across the room, who seemed equally amazed by the presence of the ethereal being that was the teacher.
Princess Deane looked at the two children auspiciously for a brief moment before continuing-"It's so nice to see your wonderful faces. As most of you may know, tomorrow is the official day of school and today is just a pre-day assembly. Our young academia consists of level 1,2 and 3s."
The siblings exchanged puzzled looks. Levels? Were they in some sort of school for the gifted or... something else entirely? They were already overwhelmed by the floating orbs and the levitating chalkboard, but the mention of a 'pre-day assembly' had them lost in thought. The children around them were already chattering away, their whispers bouncing off the walls like the flutter of a thousand wings.
As Ha-Yoon tried to digest everything she was seeing, she couldn't help but think, "What on Earth have we gotten ourselves into?"
But amidst the confusion, Si-woo's eyes lit up. The children's excitement was contagious, and the wonder of the new city was like a balm to his bruised soul. He felt a spark of something he hadn't felt in a long time: hope.
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"Now," the princess continued, her eyes sweeping over the room, "each of you will be assessed and placed into your respective classes based on your age, current knowledge and abilities. This is to ensure that you receive the best education possible."
"Today's classroom is a mix of level 1, and 2s on account of the levels 3s assembly being yesterday, but tomorrow you all be divided into your classrooms you've been assigned to earlier in the day." Princess Deane said.
The room was filled with the sound of chatter as the children whispered to each other, their excitement palpable. Ha-Yoon and Si-woo felt like outsiders, unsure of what to expect. The floating orb in the front of the room shifted, displaying a series of images that seemed to be the curriculum for the upcoming year. Subjects such as "Hoken Language," "Beast Training," and "Spiritual Meditation" flashed before their eyes, leaving them even more bewildered.
"Don't worry," a soft voice had said beside Si-woo. It was the silver-haired girl. "You'll get the hang of it. It's not as scary as it seems, my name is Mai nice to meet you."
Mai offered a warm smile, and Si-woo couldn't help but return it. "I'm Si-woo," he managed to say, his voice sounding strange in his own ears.
Mai's words offered a glimmer of comfort in the sea of confusion. The floating orb before them switched to displaying images of students engaging in various activities. Some were riding on the backs of majestic, multi-colored birds, while others were in deep meditation with glowing orbs hovering around them.
"Your actual teacher will give you more details tomorrow," Princess Deane assured the class, her voice resonating with a warmth that seemed to fill the room. "But for now, I just wanted to introduce you to the school and the different classes you'll be taking according to your age and abilities."
The siblings' eyes widened as they took in the array of subjects and activities. Ha-Yoon's mind raced with questions about this new world and its magical education system.
Toward the end of the speech when kids were leaving, Ha-Yoon and Si-woo began to edge toward the door, eager to explore more of this strange yet fascinating world. But as they were about to slip out unnoticed, a commanding voice rang out.
"Stop right there!" It was the beautiful princess, her graceful stride carrying her swiftly across the room. The children parted like a sea, allowing her to reach the siblings. Her eyes searched theirs, as if looking for something. Then, she handed them each a book titled "Hoken Language for Beginners" and a device that looked like a cross between a calculator and a crystal.
"If you're going to be part of our school," she said elegantly, cutting off Si-woo's question before it fully formed. "You're going to need these to decipher our language and way of life."
Her voice was like a melody that resonated in their souls. Ha-Yoon looked down at the book titled "Hoken Language for Beginners" in her hand, and the device, which felt surprisingly warm and alive. The book's pages were made of a material that was both smooth and textured, with the letters shimmering as if they were alive. The device had an array of buttons that pulsed with gentle lights, and the air around it crackled with an energy that seemed to whisper secrets.
The princess's eyes bore into them, and it was as if she could see their thoughts. She spoke again, her words echoing in their minds, "Take these with you. Use them wisely, for they are the keys to your future here. The golem should still be asleep so take the southern gate out again, and remember, the sun sets early in Ondur."
With that, she turned on her heel and glided away, leaving them standing with the books and devices in their trembling hands. The crowd of children had thinned, and the ones that remained stared at them with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Ha-Yoon clutched the book tightly, the weight of it feeling surprisingly comforting.
"Let's go," Si-woo murmured, his voice barely audible above the murmur of the retreating students. They slipped out of the classroom, the strange device in Si-woo's hand pulsing gently. They made their way back through the town, the books and device feeling like a lifeline to the new world they found themselves in.