A quiet came across the classroom. The children rustled in their uncomfortable stone benches as a tall, austere woman walked through the eight-foot-high, arched entrance. It was the final lesson of their school week, meaning they had two free days ahead. They really didn't want to be here any longer than they should.
"Children, I hope you have all done your homework as I asked," the woman spoke coolly, as she moved before the class. Behind her stood a tall, extra wide sheet of blue crystal. Her fingers flickered, and a thin black-wood pencil floated from a desk in the corner to her hand. Two children in a front way sighed as their eyes darted between the teacher and the exit.
"I am going to be asking you all a few questions, and if you are unable to answer any of them, you will have to remain in detention!"
A groan came from the assembled children, who had hoped for a simple lecture to drift off and plan.
"Don't give me that! You are all close to twelve years of age and will need to prepare for your class determination test in a few months! Now, Amber, you are first. Let's start with a simple one- how long ago was Steadfast created?"
A waif of a girl rose from her bench, brushing her thin blond hair from her face with one of her four arms. "Ninety-one years ago, in the first year after the Fall of Earth, Miss Denison."
Miss Denison smiled sadly when she saw there was no emotion when the girl answered. Her own mother had been old enough to remember Earth and had raised her children with wondrous stories and tales of human ingenuity. That was two generations ago, and the current crop of children had parents that were all born on Kernstalion. Many only knew of their ancient origin planet from children's books and stories about people who looked essentially the same and needed technology for everything. Compared to casting spells, monstrous demons, flying boats, and worlds beyond their own, most found the stories about boxes with infinite images and cars boring. They didn't want to learn about structural engineering or social economics. They wanted to know how to create magical suits of armor that could fly or cast fireballs!
Miss Denison blinked as she relealised she had drifted off again. Amber stared at her worriedly as if she feared she was wrong, and she quickly nodded at the girl. "Excellent, Amber! Next one, when was-"
The questions continued for a while as Miss Denison asked all the children, making sure to ask each one a couple of questions they knew, a few they might not, and one they shouldn't know yet. When the last of the twenty-four children had finished, she clapped her hands with a bright smile.
"That was great, everyone. Now, remember to think about the questions and answers, because next week there will be a written exam where I'll pick questions and answers from those just asked!"
Another dull moan came from some spots in the class, from children who'd probably not paid as much attention as they should have. Still, Miss Denison didn't overly worry. They would share answers and questions, as they had since they joined her class two years ago, forcing them to interact and socialize.
"Now, instead of boring you with another long lecture, and as you are all going to be learning about this soon, how about I'll answer a few questions?"
That got the children's full attention as their young eyes all locked onto hers.
"Anything, Miss Denison?" a boy on the second row asked carefully.
"Yes, Bradley. Anything," she replied.
"Even… even about the Primes?" Amber piped.
"And about the Deities?" a red-skinned boy with tiny horns poking through his dark hair asked.
"Yes, Dennis, even those," Miss Denison said as she smiled.
"Is it true that Prime Est is immortal?" someone called out.
"Are there really more Primes outside of Steadfast?" another voice asked.
Within seconds dozens of questions were shouted.
Miss Denison laughed and clapped her hand, causing the children to calm quickly.
"Good, I think I get the gist of it," she said with a smile. "Now, remember not to tell these things to the younger ones yet! Your parents should have warned you, but just like you, they must focus on the basics first! You are growing up, so we expect you not to talk about this where the younger children can overhear!"
The children all nodded, eyes wide and eager. Miss Denison smiled. It didn't matter that much if they spoke about it, but she and the rest of the school board had found that the children were more interested if they made it a secret, and it was good practice for growing up. She cast a spell that pulled her tall-backed chair from the corner, sat down, and took a deep breath.
"Now, where to begin," she muttered. "It is true that Prime's live far longer than normal, though most do age-"
"Like Old man Haltir?" someone shouted.
"Indeed, like Prime Haltir. Now don't interrupt me, please!"
The children hushed again, staring at her.
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"Nobody yet knows how old Prime's can become, though the most powerful ones, like Est and Laurel, seem to age at a barely noticeable pace. However, the science and magic department has determined that they do age and, given enough time and no magical intervention, they would grow old and die like the rest of us. Furthermore-"
Miss Denison continued answering their questions for over an hour, then rose and looked around.
"Now, it is almost time. One final question, and then it's weekend!"
Most of the children were looking at her with bright, wide-open eyes, and she knew many were daydreaming about becoming a Prime and paving the way for humanity in their search for more safe places to expand.
"Miss Denison, is it really true that the other countries don't share their classes and skills like we do?" Amber asked, her voice confused.
Miss Denison raised her eyebrows. "Dear, you know this. You learned about it a year ago in geography!"
"Yes, but… it still seems so stupid!" the tiny girl said as she stomped her foot. "Why would they not share the classes around? Momma tells me stories from the merchants from Orlion, that there are loads of people starving and have no ability to save themselves! But there are classes like Farmer and Fisher that could help with that! It's… it's… stupid!" she shouted again, even more agitated.
Miss Denison smiled at the girl, noticing the gleam in her eyes. She'd been keeping an eye on Amber for a few years now and knew it was time to let the School for Potential Primes know she might have another candidate.
"Amber, I completely agree, and perhaps as Steadfast continues to grow more and more prosperous, the other counties will see the error in their ways. However, until they do, there is nothing we can do about it. Be happy you were born here and not somewhere else. Now, off you go!" Miss Denison waved her hands at the entrance, and with a final wishful look, the children bolted.
As Miss Denison watched them run out, she was about to close up when there was a soft cough came from her side. Curiously, she looked down at two pairs of gleaming eyes.
"Amber and Bradley, why are you still here?" Miss Denison asked, staring at the children in surprise.
Bradley looked down, his face turning a bit red as he fidgeted. Amber prodded him, hissing for him to ask.
"Bradley? Did you have a question?" Miss Denison asked, focusing on the burly boy. He was one of the few Goliarn children, as most of the stoic giants had migrated to the villages cropping up in the more dangerous parts of the mountains east of Steadfast. Unusually calm and collected for his age, she wondered what had him all fidgety now.
Bradley sighed, then looked up, seeming slightly afraid. "Miss… I'd like to ask one more question, but I didn't want to scare the others."
Miss Denison's eyebrows shot up, and she sat back down, looking at them curiously. "Well then, you had better tell me if it's this frightening," she asked.
"Miss… is it true that there are still souls from earthlings drifting through the Deityverse?"
Miss Denison leaned back in surprise. "Now, wherever did you hear this from?"
Bradley turned a bit pale and looked at the ground as he mumbled something.
"What was that? Come, Bradley, you know I won't be mad unless you did something really bad. Now speak up," Miss Denison said.
"I overheard Prime's Ricardo and Clarissa talk about it," Bradley said, still not looking at her. "They said Est had taken other Primes, and they were using a new Airship prototype to search for them."
"And how did you-" Miss Denison began with a frown, when Amber interrupted her.
"Is it true, Miss Denison? Can we travel beyond the planet?" she asked, her eyes gleaming.
"Amber, what did I tell you about interrupting people when they are talking?" Miss Denison asked curtly. Then she sighed and fixed them both with an intense look.
"I don't know where you were sneaking about when you overheard this, but I expect that both of you will not talk about this with anyone! I don't know if it's true, but if it is, then it is not something that should be discussed willy-nilly!"
She sighed when she saw the two children exchange an excited look. Had they even heard her warning? She scraped her throat, causing them both to freeze and stare at her. "Do you remember when we talked about the war with Bostrov that happened fifty years ago?"
They nodded quickly.
"That war started because there was a rumor that some of the First Wavers were held captive by Bostrov warlords. A group of hotheaded young men and women decided to take it upon themselves to go to Bostrov and demand them back, willing to take them by force!"
Amber gulped, and Bradley shivered softly.
Miss Denison held their gaze for a second longer, then softened her expression. "Now. Once again. Don't speak about this with anyone but me or a Prime! Do we understand each other?"
"Yes, Miss Denison," they both echoed.
"Good. Now, it's time for you two to play outside! Make sure you don't get into trouble, and I'll see you next week!"
Amber and Bradley greeted her, then sprinted off, slipping through the entrance and away.
"These children," Miss Denison muttered as she looked at the empty door. "There goes my evening. I hope those stubborn Primes will listen for once."
As she moved away, her hand flew through a simple spell, and the chair and pencil floated back to the corner table.
--
Amber sprinted ahead of Bradley, dodging through the crowded streets of the school and crafters district. She headed towards the small park and playground on the edge of Eastcliff. It wasn't really a playground, as the adults kept reminding them, but it was a quiet place with trees, bushes, and loads of places to hide and play. It was the next best thing.
When she slid down the side of the stairs, the small park came into view. A large statue of Prime Est dominated it, ax held high and covered in clear nicks and wounds. There was a placard below, but she knew the text by heart. It described how Est and Haltir had won the martial weapon tournament and showed the other nations that axes could do more than just cut trees. On the side of the statue was a small statue of Rathica - one of many distributed throughout the city. Crafted from Torpel wood, the rumor was that Prime Est had handcrafted all of them in memory of someone - but nobody knew the truth of that or in who'se memory.
A few moments later, she and Bradley crawled through a dense area of bushes and into a small open space where a dozen other children were sitting around, chatting. High above them, Est's towering statue cast a shadow across them, creating a cozy atmosphere.
"There you are, Amber!" a tall, four-armed boy said as he raised two fists, which she bumped with two of hers before sitting down. "Why are you so late?"
"Miss Deni made us answer a few extra questions," she said before grinning at the only other Grablon in their friend circle. "So, did you find out when and where they are going to showcase the new Airship?"
"Yes! Tomorrow around two. So it's perfect timing! I can't believe they wouldn't allow kids to see it, but that's fine. We can slip up the tangle cables and watch from below- they'll never spot us!"
Amber clenched her four fists, grinning at the others. She couldn't wait to see the Airships.
When I grow up, I'm going to be a Prime and travel the stars, just like Est and the others! she thought as she began discussing their plans with the others.
None of the children noticed that the tiny carving of Rathica had moved her head, staring at Amber while a smile covered her face.