Alice wasn't mad. No, just disappointed —She was so looking forward to this...
"...and soon after this event the empire collapsed, the infighting that followed led to even..."
She listens to the old professor drone from the podium in front of the class. Monotone voice echoes in the spacious room —Do all history teachers have to deliver their lectures in the most sleep inducing tone? Is it on purpose? Some sort of a joke?
She is still taking notes even as her mind wanders. This is supposed to be THE magic academy, best this continent has to offer—
"... The saints brought all of the leaders to the Temple where the famous, first..."
She perks up a bit at the mention of the saints, but soon returns to her own thoughts as her hand almost mechanically writes everything down, seemingly having its own mind - that's actually pretty accurate. Using enchanted quills is frowned upon but no one really enforces the rule.
When you have a classroom full of nobility even esteemed faculty of this grand institution will not stick their heads out over something petty, like a pen that takes notes for you.
Oh, ancient history isn't that bad, she actually finds it fascinating. But as a daughter of a viscount she received a thorough, broad education even before joining the academy and already knows most of what is being taught in this class.
Sure there are some new bits of knowledge delivered here and there - but there is only so much one can add to the old legends of the Lost Empire after the millennia since its demise.
"...That event marks the beginning of the new era, and birth of the Union that led to the rise of our..."
Alice checks the time, completely losing interest since the professor finished talking about the war of the saints. -It's almost over for today. The fact that they won't be doing any magic in the first semester - aren't even allowed to on the campus! was a heavy blow to Alice who loves magic, almost as much as—
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
"Any questions?" The old man asks the students, not expecting much. Bringing her attention back to the classroom.
A hand is raised from the front row below, bringing a little spark of life to the tired eyes of the white haired scholar as he nods to the tall girl sitting there.
"According to the lecture, the Old Capital should've been located in my father's land," The raven haired young girl speaks with dignity expected of her noble status "-yet I'm unaware of the existence of any such ruin in our territory. Nor were any of our cities raised on such an ancient foundation."
Alice can't help but sigh internally expecting the follow up -It's not like he can give you an answer to that... She was hoping they would be released early.
"What actually happened to that city?" Most of the enthusiasm escaped from the teacher and his shoulders dropped. This question he likely heard many times before, yet still couldn't offer a proper answer.
Resting tired arms on the podium he responds none the less. "That is a good question, Lady Christy."
Christina Vallon, the daughter of the marquees of Vallon to whom Alice's family answers, their suzerain. She is a proud and beautiful young lady, with black lustrous hair and sharp ice blue eyes —Also her childhood friend. Being the same age their parents made them spend a lot of time together since they were young; now both attend the academy together... Light, have mercy on me.
Professor scans the faces of the gathered students. "Unfortunately, one we don't have an answer too, and not for the lack of trying." His head shakes sadly. " I could just as well repeat you the outlandish fable told by bards, about how the gods cast it into the depths of hell for all the depravities of..."
Alice looks up to the ceiling, her hopes of ending their class earlier squashed. Christie - as she wishes to be addressed, is a good friend... But has an amazing talent for getting both of them into trouble. It has only been a week yet they were already watched closely. Sigh...
...
Back in her dormitory, Alice shoos the cat she tamed off the bed. In the first week of their stay before the classes even started, she picked the black stay wandering the campus grounds, and named him Sebastian.
That's because its black fur, with white colored front paws and crest below the neck reminded her of their butler's suit. –He always wore those white gloves of his.
Alice pick's up the letter from one of her brothers that she left open on the night stand, and reads through it again while dropping on her mattress; not caring about her blue dress getting wrinkled - no maids to fuss about it here; her status not high enough to allow her one. And she wouldn't have it any other way.
She looks fondly and the neat letters and his signature, wishing she could go see him. Melancholy clear on her pale face.
—He is getting married, and not due to obligation but because he fell in love with the girl. Must be so nice, she hopes the two can be happy together.
She still 'secretly' kept in touch with him after—
"Sebastian, no!" The cat demands some attention and a spot on the bed. 'No' is not an answer and there will be no negotiations.
Alice can only smile at the little hellion, and puts the letter away. "Fine, come here you!.." She could use some fluff to lift her mood. Until the next semester the cat is fine too.
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