Klera Point of View
"The staff will help you explore the Academy," the Headmistress announced, her voice echoing across the vast courtyard before she disappeared. The echoing silence that followed the Headmistress's departure left me feeling strangely exposed.
"Can we stick together, for now, Klera?" Hebrew asked, his voice tight with anxiety. "I have trouble making new friends." A shiver ran down his spine, a tremor mirrored as I looked at the overwhelming crowd of new students.
"Yeah, of course," I replied, my own apprehension hidden beneath a forced smile. The sheer number of students was daunting; a sea of faces, a symphony of voices. In the midst of the chaos, I noticed a small group of young ladies showering a single girl with attention, their bubbly exclamations echoing throughout the courtyard.
"Princess, can we be friends?" one exclaimed. "Us too!" another one butted in excitedly. The princess, her face flushed, offered a small, strained smile. Her eyes darted nervously between the eager faces, a flicker of panic in their depths.
The chaos subsided as a man in his mid-twenties stepped forward. He had kind eyes, and a reassuring smile that eased some of my tension. "Students," he announced, his voice clear and calm, "I'm Brook, the Headmistress's assistant. We shall now begin our exploration of the Academy; I will be your guide for today." He gestured towards the imposing structure before them.
"This is the Academy's courtyard," our guide explained. "As I look around, I didn't realize how beautiful and clean it is. There's green grass, solid brickwork, a garden, a large fountain, and benches scattered invitingly around the central statues of our heroes. This is the gathering place, or hangout spot," he continued. "You can relax here if you like."
As we approached the massive, ornate front doors of the Academy, two figures—staff, I presumed—materialized at the entrance, their smiles warm, but their eyes watchful. The doors creaked open with a sound like ancient hinges groaning, revealing not just a building, but a glimpse into another world. The air thrummed with an energy I couldn't quite define, a mixture of excitement and apprehension that mirrored my own feelings. "Welcome to the Academy," our guide announced as we stepped inside.
We entered the Main Corridor and gasped. The ceiling was so high it was amazing, and a two giant sparkly chandeliers hung down, making the whole place glow. The walls were covered in fancy carvings, showing the building was really old and important. "From this Main Corridor," the guide explained, "three hallways branch off: left, right, and straight ahead. The straight hallway ends at two grand staircases leading upstairs. Beyond those, another hallway leads to a massive, heavy wooden door—the entrance to the training grounds." A palpable sense of anticipation filled the air.
The group split, and I found myself swept along with Hebrew. My heart hammered against my ribs; the sheer scale of the academy was breathtaking and intimidating.
The other group explored the right side of the hallway first; we were exploring the left.
As we walked further down the left hallway, the guide explained that the Infirmary, Psychic Pavilion, Marksman's Haven, Library, Restrooms, and Laboratory were located there.
Left Hallway of the Academy
Infirmary: This is a quiet room where sick or hurt students get better. It has comfortable beds and magic medicine. There's also a small garden outside the big windows where students can relax. It smells nice and calming.
The Psychic Pavilion: This Classroom hones the innate psychic abilities of its students, exploring the multifaceted nature of the mind, body, and spirit. Students develop their powers through rigorous training and self-reflection.
The Marksman's Haven: This Classroom trains Marksmen in accurate and skilled long-range combat. Students practice their aim on various targets in a large archery range, learning to utilize both conventional and magical ranged weapons.
Library: This is a huge room filled with books about magic spells, magic weapons and magic abilities. Some books are old and special. There are secret areas you can only find if you know how. It's a great place to read and learn.
Restrooms: These rooms are clean and comfortable, located conveniently throughout the academy. They have everything students need and are kept tidy.
Laboratory: This room is for different kinds of magic experiments. The potion lab has lots of bottles and ingredients. The plant lab has lots of special plants. Each lab has special tools and things to keep students safe.
Having finished exploring the left hallway, we proceeded to the right hallway, where we found the Grand Hall, Common Rooms, Portal Room, Mage's Tower, Swordsman's Citadel, Divine Sanctuary, and Astronomy Tower.
Right Hallway of the Academy
Grand Hall:This very large room has tall ceilings, shiny lights hanging above, and a stage at one end for performances and announcements. The smooth, shiny floor reflects the light. It's where everyone gathers for important events and serves as the dining hall, where meals are served.
Common Rooms: This is a comfy room where students can relax and hang out. There are comfy chairs and couches. There are also games to play. It's a fun place to be with friends.
Portal Room: This is a special room with magic that lets students travel to different places. It looks sparkly and swirls with colors. There are rules to keep everyone safe when they travel.
The Swordsman's Citadel: This Classroom trains Swordsmen in close-quarters combat and swordsmanship. Students practice in a large hall with padded walls and dummies, learning about various swords and defensive techniques.
The Mage's Tower: This Classroom trains Mages in elemental and spellcasting magic. Students learn to control fire, water, earth, air, and other unique magics, brew potions, and understand runes.
The Divine Sanctuary: This Classroom trains Priests and Priestesses in divine magic and spiritual practices. Students learn restorative magic, perform rituals, and study theological texts.
Astronomy Tower: This is a tall tower with a place to look at the stars. There are big telescopes to see faraway stars.
To be continued....