Everyone took their seats. There were three long tables that extended the length of the hall. The table cloths matched the colors of each house. The chairs were of a fine design, one of elegance and comfort. The material of each chair matched the table that they were coordinated with. The front of the hall featured two tables that combined to run the width of the hall, a podium splitting the tables. The headmaster and the professors were seated waiting for the students to settle in. There looked to be maybe thirty students per house. With all the bustle, Gideon had trouble getting an actual head count. He looked to his friends to see their impressions of the hall. “With the small classes, I didn’t expect so many students.” He said.
“Me either,” Primrose said. “It’s such a large school, but even with as many students that I’ve seen, there should be more. There is a lot of room that isn’t being used. It’s been bothering me since we got here. Are awakenings declining, or are the people that awaken too weak to train? Maybe they should start taking in everyone. I wonder if the number of voidless has been increasing?” Primrose pointed above them to the alcoves around the room. “There looked to be 3 upper balconies. Who do you think is up there?”
“Shh,” Gage hushed them from down the table. “Those are for the advanced students of each house.” Primrose’s nose wrinkled at this. She glared down the table at Gage. He tried to figure out what the girl was thinking as he watched the confrontation. She apparently doesn’t like being told to be quiet or maybe it’s that weird thing she has going on with Gage? I wonder what she doesn’t like about Gage? I didn’t notice anything happen between the two. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw movement at the front tables.
Headmaster Dagon had rose from his table and walked to the podium. He’d changed out of the fine clothes and now wore a robe. The robe was designed using all the elements of the three houses. It was maroon on one side, midnight blue on the other. A tabard of dark gray was worn over the robe itself. “He’s from Ronin, that’s why his tabard is the gray,” Maximus whispered.
Gideon nodded his thanks to the boy. He knows I am clueless. He replied as quiet as he could, “Thanks. I didn’t know that.”
“Good evening students. Tonight we celebrate. This is the welcoming banquet where we have good food, conversation, and hope to make lifelong friends.” Gideon had his own thoughts on this. So far I think I have made lifelong enemies. I am pretty sure Blake will never relent. Never forgive the perceived sleight. I did make a few friends though. The headmaster looked from side to side, reinforcing his words with willpower.
“As any can see, there are plenty of empty seats. The standards are high to be where you are today, be proud of yourselves. Many didn’t make it this far, so pat yourselves on the back. You’ve all got selected for your houses and this is something that will last a lifetime. He looked down at the gray tabard and the sword, he swelled with pride for his guild. I’m going to talk about the guild houses a little. I’ll also touch on what purpose they serve. We’ll introduce the house leaders and allow them to say a few words if they’d like. First I will start with my own house, The Ronin. These are the specialists, the soloists. They are also great group members, if you don’t mind a group made up of all alpha personalities. The current house leader is Orpheus Hemlock. Professor Hemlock is a strong and noble leader. He has been the house leader for five years now and has taken them to new heights. The academy is in good hands with him and his Ronin guarding the premises. Professor would you like to say a few words?
Hemlock approached the podium, he too was in formal robes like the headmaster. It looks like I’m going to need some formal robes, Gideon thought. Hemlock cleared his throat as he took the podium. The headmaster remained standing at his back. Gideon felt the professor’s eyes bore into him when the man looked his way. “Thank you headmaster. Good evening students. While the day may not have went as planned, you handled it. Everyone performed well when adversity got in our path. The first years,” he paused and gathered his thoughts. “Are special. This year will be one to remember. Enjoy your day off and getting settled in. You are mine after that.” Hemlock stepped down and walked back to his seat without another word.
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The headmaster stepped back to the podium, “Thank you Professor Hemlock for the insightful words. I do believe many of the students have already expressed their excitement about having you as their professor. For those that are unawares, Professor Hemlock will be in charge of teaching the arcane and the occult. He will be teaching you about The Old Ones, the Great Ones, and the Lesser Ones. While many of you have grown up with a basic understanding. Professor Hemlock will teach you the in depth intricacies of the three groups.” The Headmaster told the gathered crowd before he applauded the professor softly.
He finished his applause, then moved on to the next house, “The Syndicate this year has a new house leader after Freya Eisenberg stepped down. Many of you grew familiar with Freya after she assumed the role of my assistant and student adviser. Harcourt Livingston has agreed to step into the role of house leader. The Syndicate House is known for balance and fair play. Today marks the start of a new guild house. One lead by a very strong, versatile, and balanced woman. The syndicate will not only provide balance between the houses, but also in the city long after they leave here. Professor Harcourt will epitomize balance. Professor, would you like to say a few words?
Professor Livingston stood. She spoke directly from her place at the table. “As you said professor, I maintain balance. So I will forfeit my time to get the festivities back on pace.” With that said, she sat back down. Gideon saw her dark hair and not much else. The older students from the syndicate laughed at their guild leaders statement.
The headmaster chuckled at the woman’s statement. He continued on like Professor Livingston advised, “Last but not least, we have the heart of the academy. The Delvers Guild. They are the explorers of the unknown, they bring back what they find and we all get stronger. They are those with a true heart for adventure. The house leader is one of the strongest adventurers to ever graduate from Rime’s Academy. In her early days she was lucky enough to be one of the last adventurers to delve with the Dreadnought of Rime. Rosalind Dunwich is a truly special professor. She has seen and done it all. If you have questions, ask her. She may be a hard teacher, but she’ll get you through to where you need to go. But know this, if needed, she will break you against your wishes and mold you into a true adventurer. That is what makes her exceptional at her job. The Malevolent Bard, Professor Dunwich.” He held his hand out welcoming her to the podium.
“Thank you for that glowing write up Headmaster, but I don’t require or desire such words. I firmly believe in paying it forward. This was a hard lesson that I learned from Axis Killian. At first, I only worried about myself, what would make me stronger, then I realized how selfish I really was. Getting stronger while I left everyone else behind wasn’t the way. There is more gratification in helping others evolve and grow than I ever experienced in my personal advancement. When you see a student pay it forward, evoking change. A foundation is set, a legacy is born. I’m here to make a legacy of warriors that support this community and raise it to a new level.” The professor concluded.
“Those are truly inspiring words, though you are selling yourself short. Students, people like Professor Dunwich are what the academy was designed for. She is the epitome of what ours students should strive to be. Everyone, can I get an applause for the professor. Her quick thinking today helped prevent catastrophe. She acted before most realized there was a problem.” Headmaster Dagon said as he began to clap for the professor. The students followed his example and clapped, some with boisterous fervor and others with a false stoicism. Gideon clapped the loudest of them all. She is amazing, absolutely amazing, he thought.