With a sigh, Ravina continued on her way to class, finding the magnificent building to be one of the worst designs she had ever seen. Sure, it was grand and beautiful, but it was also far. She walked past two or three buildings before she finally reached hers. Then it was up three flights of stairs to reach her class on the fourth level. While the classroom did have a splendid view of the garden, by the time she reached her room, she was ready to collapse at the nearest desk by the window. Thankfully, she arrived early enough to take such a prestigious seat and chuckled as she began her life as the protagonist of the classroom.
After a while, a charming chime-like voice called to her, "Ex-excuse me, can I s-sit here, please?" The repetition was nervous and a little cute. Ravina looked up to find that it was Lady Eloise. Meeting her for the third time she smiled as she was able to hear the young woman actually speak this time.
"So we have the same class," she mused aloud.
To which the young lady nodded and stammered, "It looks like it."
"So you can talk," Ravina commented, prompting the young girl to apologize and bow her head. Ravina heard the clicking of her teeth as if she was trying to say something but couldn't find the words. However, Ravina didn't have to wait for the next day for a random stranger to yell at her. Instead, she found she had a classmate who adored the young Lady Eloise as well.
"You don't have to do that," came a demanding voice. Ravina found a man with gray hair and brown eyes pulling the young Lady Eloise into his arms and giving Ravina a harsh look. “Lord Byrun warned me about you.” Thankfully, that's all he cared to say.
He took the young girl away and sat on the opposite side of the room, forcing her to sit by him instead. He was very protective of the young girl, but Ravina found it quite wonderful that he didn't speak to her. "Perhaps all men are such violent fools," she thought, recounting that all three encounters with such things here seemed rather violent.
Then the door opened, and the teacher came inside, surprising Ravina. She looked around, finding that not even half the seats were filled. The teacher was a tall, lanky man with dark brown eyes and slightly disheveled brown hair.
He began class with a simple introduction. "I'm August Filch, but you will call me 'teacher' during our classes. As you all are aware, attendance is a significant part of your grade, and it seems that more than half of your class is failing. I'm sure this will last for about a month until the first of the grades are released and they realize just how much they screwed up. This is the academy. Your ranks and power mean nothing here. This place is backed by the Imperial family, and thus failing to listen to us is failing to listen to the Royal Family themselves."
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Ravina blinked, thinking, "Wow, that's harsh," although she didn't quite think that the royal family would appreciate such words. To her this man was the poster child for power inadequacy. The position gave him a little bit of power and he wanted to swing it around as much as he could. Still, it was perhaps necessary, as many of the students here were ranking nobles of high standard and would find listening to a man who demanded they call him 'teacher' quite boring.
True enough, half of the students were already missing, and she noticed that perhaps they would return in droves once they realized they couldn't pass the academy without attending it. After all, the academy's power lay not in the grades they got but in the social standing it produced. If someone failed or was kicked out of the academy—a feat normally not possible—it would give every other noble family ammunition to mock and humiliate them.
"Now then," the teacher continued, "the academy has two or four-year programs, depending on what you wish to gain here. I'm sure many of you will only take the two-year program that is required, but I encourage you to take the four-year if you wish to actually learn something. Until then, I will be your homeroom teacher in charge of you for both years. Those who stay will receive another one, as I have enough time dealing with you all as of now."
He explained how everything would happen and the curriculum of the class. Mainly, this was going to be their classroom for the next year, and they would learn many things they already knew but would go over again only to ensure everybody was on the same page. "Many families think they know the right history, but that is not true. While you can believe whatever you want, the true history will be taught here. True mannerisms will be taught here. True everything will be taught here. Is that understood?" he asked, and before waiting for an answer, he continued.
"Essentially, only one-tenth of your student life will be held in the classroom. The rest will be extracurricular activities and social gatherings." Nothing too unexpected, as Ravina already knew this to be the case. "Although," the teacher continued, "I am sure that most of you are aware that we have a few... unique individuals joining us this year." The teacher eyed the young boy from earlier and Lady Eloise. "Such individuals were unable to learn a few things and will have to spend a lot more time studying than their noble... that is to say, their peers." He chuckled at the word as though it was something distasteful to say.
"Well then," he continued, "that will be all for today. There's nothing else to discuss. If you have any questions, figure it out yourself." With that, the teacher left, and classes ended on a rather cheery note.