Chapter 3: Old and New Acquaintances

"Is it true that there are many other races attending the academy?"

"Is mother also going to be one of your teachers?"

"Brother, your going to be among the top students in your class right?"

"Will Drake be our schoolmate?"

"And will her sister Elise be you classmate again?"

"Who were those giant monuments back there in the middle of the city square?"

"Yes. No. Maybe. Yes. Maybe. And...those were the fabled heroes who helped banished the Worldeaters all over the world during their Ancient war with the avalonian ancestors centuries ago."

Akatriel was bombarded with questions while on their way to the academy.

"Guys take it easy on your brother. Regarding why your brother isn't required to attend my classes, your elder brother had already mastered Advanced Holy Magics under my guidance years ago." Their mother chimed in into the conversation. "That's why after his excellent performance during the school's entrance exam, the academy exempted him from subjects related to Holy Arts. He could've exempted other subjects if he were serious that time."

"Geez, don't praise me to much. I'm not that good enough. There were others better than me that time." Akatriel spoke flushed.

"Wow, brother's so cool!" Angelo gazed at his brother with a worshiper's eyes.

"Can we also be exempted him?"

"Hmmm...that's too early to find out, since subjects related to Holy Arts starts at third grade. But if you manage to reach the level your brother has attained by the time your reach that age, of course you could be exempted." Agatha stated a matter of fact.

The group arrived at the academy's gates. The huge letters were displayed on the signboard on top of it 'Royal Academy of the Round Table'.

The 'Royal Academy of the Round Table' more commonly called as "The Round Table Academy'. It is an academy built with a goal to raise elite future chivalrous knights and wizards for Avalon's main kingdom, Pendragon. The academy boasts its proficiency in producing talented graduates loyal to the 'Code of Chivalry' it indoctrinates. The top students in this academy were even treated as elites among all elites throughout the world once they had graduated. After the new era's second war with the Worldeaters, the academy decided to also begin to accepting admissions from other races.

"Alright, I'll be heading to the faculty room. Akatriel, please show your siblings the way to the preschooler's building."

"No problem." he agreed.

Akatriel and the twins then separated with their mother. They were on their way to the building when suddenly a running kid blindly bumped into Phina sending them both onto the ground. Akatriel immediately came to their aid healing their scratches with magic.

"Hey kid don't go running around the walkways. Are you both okay?"

"I'm fine brother." Phina assured him.

"Yes, I'm fine as well, thank you brother Akatriel." the boy thanked him. 

"Oh...Drake, its you." Drake Moonspell a blonde kid  around his sibling's age. He has a green and red pair of eyes, and pointed ears as a result of having an elf mother and avalonian father. "Since you're here then that means..."

"Huff...huff...Hey wait for me Drake. Stop being hasty and refrain from running away!" A girl approached them.

"Yo, Elise. Long time no see."

Elise Moonspell, Drake elder sister. Also a half elf with a gold and silver pair of eyes. The siblings were the offspring of Mathias "a'Lincoln" Flambard, the academy's current president and Celia Myrddin Flambard a daughter of an elf noble belonging to Elven Faerie Council. Mr. Mathias got the 'a'Lincoln' epithet after marrying her wife. The name originated from Tom a'Lincoln, a son of the legendary King Arthur who also married a faerie queen in the Arthurian legends.

"Oh! it the Godsworn siblings. You neighbors sure left early in the morning." She greeted Akatriel then immediately turned to her younger brother and saw his dirtied uniform from the fall. "Drake! what happened to your clothes? Did something happen? Are you hurt?"

"He was running this way and collided with Phina. They both fell on the ground and got some scratches. Don't worry I had already healed them with magic."

"Is that so? Oh well then. Phina, please don't forget to say sorry to Drake."

"Shouldn't it be the other way around you BROCON!?" Akatriel complained.

"Hey! You take that back."

"Then have your brother say sorry."

"Eh? How could my brother be at fault?"

"He's the one who bumped at my sister."

"Its her fault for not looking at where she's heading. She could've stepped aside back then."

"You dumb nut!"

"Shut up old man!"

"Nope, Sister was the one at fault." It was drake. Before the dispute escalated he decided to step in. When its hard to decide between the two, then why not just blame another person?

"Yeah, maybe she keeps on insisting on carrying him on her shoulders again all the way to school." Phina seconded the motion.

"Wow. Such a clingy sister." Angelo brutally added.

"So Drake wouldn't actually have bumped at my sister if he wasn't running away from the bothersome sister of his." Akatriel finished the combo.

"Kuh...ganging up on me, that's unfair you guys. (moan)...fine. fine. I'm sorry. I can't have my little brother hating me."

Angelo snickered. The remaining pair also laugh at the funny situation, Unable to suppress their own laughter Akatriel and Elise joined in.

"Don't worry. Despite her being weird I still love my sister ."

"I love you too Drake...Marry me!" She responded earning her stony gazes and a hit on the head from Akatriel.

(That girl. No wonder his brother would always feel the urge to run away.) Akatriel thought at the back of his mind.

"Alright guys lets leave this weirdo behind, the 8 o' clock bell's about to ring. We still have to wash of those dirt from your clothes before the ceremony starts." Akatriel monotonously spoke and ushered them to their building while abandoning the unconscious lump on the walkway.

* * * * * * * * * *

The opening ceremony was concluded and the students started to proceed to their respective classroom.

"Hey you old man!" 

Akatriel heard the provoking voice behind him.

"What is it this time Miss Brother Complex?"

"Oh!!! your really pissing me of!"

"Here, catch." Akatriel threw something at her which she caught wit both hands.

"What's this? Giving me an ice pack after hitting me on the head? You think I'd forgive you just like that!"

"That's not from me, its from your worried brother."

"Oh, REALLY? then I'll gladly accept it. Thanks for the delivery, but I'm still not forgiving you yet." Elise happily applied the pack on her head.

"Like I care, come on lets go."

"Huh, where to?"

"To the classroom. Haven't you checked the sections list yet?"

"You knocked me out didn't you? How could I checked while passed out."

"Sheesh...were in the same section. First year section A-1 is this way." He said walking away.

"Hmmm. What's the scheduled subjects for today?"

"Its 'History' in the morning to be followed by 'Combat Tactics' in the afternoon.  Everyone in the section is to head at the open fields later in the afternoon after changing to their combat uniforms."

"Ohoho...looks like I'll be able to get my revenge later."

"Well in your dreams, that is."

"You sure are confident are you? Why, how much have you gotten stronger since the last time?"

"Lets leave that for later shall we. We're here."

They arrived to their classroom as the bell for the first class rang. Akatriel entered the room then headed at the seat nearest to the windows up on the front row. Elise sat at the seat behind him.

"If your planning to do something stupid, I'll send you back to dreamland."

"Why would I. I got all the time for that later."

"Just making sure."

The teacher entered the room ending their conversation. She was a avalonian woman in her late twenties, her eye colors were orange and brown and her long black hair suited with her slim built.

"Hello everyone, I'm Miss Caelia Joan Historia. I had worked a minstrel in my early days before I was hired by the academy as a teacher.  Starting today I'll be the one teaching you in your history subjects. So with no further a due, shall we start with your introductions?"

One by one the students introduced themselves. Akatriel notice that there were more races other than avalonians in there class. Compared to last year having only a quarter of the class coming from the other races, the current poll shows that there are now more than half of then in total.

"Looks like the academy is also starting to gain a higher reputation to the other countries." he muttered to himself.

Miss Caelia then proceeded with the class.

The class was focused on covering the subjects starting from the Ancient war with the Worldeaters up to the years following the Terraformation event. Details about the Ten Fable Heroes were the first topics of the discussion followed by the summoning of different races.

While deep in thought Akatriel felt someone observing him. When he scanned the room the feeling just vanishes and he couldn't find who was the source of that feeling. Once he turns his gaze back in front, the feeling immediately comes back making him search for the culprit again. The cycle repeated a couple more times frustrating him. 

(Is someone making fun of me?) He thought.

He was in his wits end until...(sniff), (sniff)...the culprit began sniffing on him revealing her location. It was as a matter of fact just the girl seated next to him. Judging from her looks she is from the dragonborn race. She had lavander scales rather than skin. Her eyes were also reptilian, moreover it futher shows a proof of her begin actually a crossbreed, the left was amber and the right scarlet.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She was still curiously sniffing when he turn to her and gave a inquiring look.

"Umm...Is there a problem? Do I stink or what?" He tried to ask.

The dragon girl was taken aback after realizing what she was doing and hesitated before finally giving a reply. "Oh, sorry. Nothing, you just kinda smelled familiar somehow." 

"Smelled? Shouldn't it be 'looked familiar' rather than smelled?"

"Nope, I don't remember your face at all. Only your scent was familiar to me...I think. No need to be troubled about it, I might just be mistaken."

"Okay, sure then."

It was followed by an akward silence.

"By the way, I'm Akatriel Godsworn. Nice meeting you."

"Corvelia Hölle-Flügel. Same here."

The teacher noticed the pairs idly chatting during her class.

"The last of humanity then finally decided to used the world spell 'Terraformation' as a last resort. Akatriel." The teacher called out his name.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Can you tell me who were they and their distinction from the other races that later came."

"They should be the Avalonians. As for their distinction from the other races. First, they are born with heterochromia iridium or the differences in the coloration of the irises. Second would be their innate talents that emerges after reaching the age of four. For example suddenly acquiring incredible combat finesse, inherent survival skills, herculean strength and so on. They are a race also known to be the second race with the highest affinity to magic second to the elves."

"Well said."

"Then, Could you give me how many races were summoned into NeoGaea?"

"I believe there were eleven."

"Okay. Miss Corvelia. How about you, could you tell us about your race?"

"Uhm, yes. The dragonborns, they are half-breed offsprings resulting from the the union between dragon and human. Originally in incomplete human form, the dragonborns when old enough have the ability to transform into their dragon forms fully acquiring the might, abilities and attributes of the dragon specie running in their blood. They are ranked fifth in the races with affinity to magic."

"Good. I appreciate it that you answered my questions well. But please refrain from having conversations while I'm talking here in front and pay attention to the lecture." the teacher admonished them.

"We understand."

"Our apologies ma'am.

"Well who else could give me the other races and their traits." With that the lecture continued for two more hours before the class was dismissed.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Hey, want to have lunch together?" Elised asked Akatriel.

"Together with you? No need I'm eating my lunch by myself."

Akatriel declined the offer.

"What a waste, its your first day as a freshmen you should be eating with a friend. I'm a childhood friend of yours afterall."

"Even then, I'd rather ask somebody else."

"And who would you ask to have lunch with? All of these guys are still strangers to us."

Elise has a point, all the friends they had in middle school were assigned on the other sections. He's got no one else to ask except...of course!

"Hey Corvelia, want to have lunch together?" Akatriel asked the person on the next seat.

"Huh. I'm not sure about that, everybody seems scared to have lunch with me. Won't eating with me just give you a bad image?"

"Don't worry, it's still better than eating with someone who has a brother complex."

"Hey! What did you say!?"

"I meant that I'd rather eat with her rather than with a incest."

"You're really pushing it!."

"Stop it. Why don't we just eat together then." Corvelia suggested.

In the end. It was decided that the three of then will have lunch together.

* * * * * * * * * *

The place the chose to have lunch was a shade among the trees beside the school building.

While they were finishing their lunch when Akatriel saw an orb of light approaching his way, it was from a [Guiding Light] spell. Following behind it in a sprint were three kids he's familiar with.

"Hey why are you here? Shouldn't you be having lunch at the preschooler's canteen?" He inquired.

"Brother look at this."

Angelo pulled out a broken pencil from his pocket. Showing it to his brother he chanted. "[Restore]." The pencil that was broken in half floated in midair. The severed parts then connected and was mend as if brand new."

"Phina can do it too." He said feeling proud with themselves. "We're released from punishment now right?"

"Of course you are. But how did you manage to learn it?"

"We borrowed a intermediate spell book from the library." Phina explained.

"Oh? But I thought the library doesn't simply allow preschoolers to borrow those kinds of books?"

"It was Drake who helped us convince the librarian." Angelo pointed out.

"Oh I see, so they would likely allow the son of the principal to borrow those books huh. That explains it."

Corvelia drawed near the trio with curiousity. The kids regarded her back with the same feedback. 

"To be not feared by my appearance. Wow, you guys sure are amazing, and so cute." She eyed them with pure awe then hugged them tightightly while rubbing her cheeks on theirs. "Ummmm...so moe!!!" she squealed in delight.

Akatriel didn't expect dragonborns have this soft side.

"Uhmm. Brother who's the lizard lady?" the twins asked in puzzlement.

"Ah. Guys that is Corvelia, she's anew friend of mine. Corvelia, these are my siblings Angelo and Seraphina. The blonde boy is Elise's brother Drake."

The dragonborn lets go of them with a satisfied face. "Nice meeting you. I'm a single child in my family so I often wonder how it feels like to have siblings. If you don't mind you can treat me like a big sister too."

"Sure miss Corvelia." Phina agreed.

"Yeah, no problem." The two boys also agreed.

Elise approached his brother from behind and gave him a hug too.

"Sister stop hugging me!" Drake said in resistance.

"Eh? It unfair that only Corvelia gets to hug you. Give you big sister a quality time too." She childishly protested.

"Ugh...Sister is being clingy again."

Akatriel decided to give him help this time.

"Hey Elise how about we have a bet for this afternoon's class."

"And what would it be?"

"If you win the bet, I'll teach you the adept holy magics you've always asked for."

"Oh? Are you sure with that? You won't be able to beat me once I've mastered your specialty."

"Of course it okay. In exchange if I get a higher score in the class later, you'll allow Drake to have a sleep over at our house so I could teach him magic too. Besides he has helped my siblings with their problem, I have to repay him in their behalf.." He explained "You also need to learn magic to be a Magic Knight right? Drake." Akatriel added with a wink.

Seeing through Akatriel's real intention Drake happily agreed. "Of course I'd want to."

"Huh? What? Do you plan to deprive me of my brother?"

"Don't say your chickening out."

"Urk...you geezer. Bring it on. Your adept magic will be mine."

"So that means it's a deal then. I won't be so sure about winning if I were you though."

The lunch break ended and the trio left wishing Akatriel luck. They already seemed immersed with the thought of Drake camping out at their home. 

(Well looks like I have expectations from the kids to meet.)

The freshmen also went to their respective room and changed into their battle gears. Every year it has been a tradition in the combat class to have a graded competition on the first day. Akatriel got excited at the thought of having the opportunity in facing other races.  

"At last. Lets see how much I've improve since last year!"

Energized he headed to the academy's open grounds.