"Are you able to finish that? It's your third plate." Wulff asked.
"Of course! I've put it on my plate, plus it's rude not to finish it all, that's what my mother said." Ella replied, taking a big chunk of buttered bread.
"If you say so~" Wulff grabbed a slice of buttered bread, ignoring Ella's scowl.
"You're friends with Merula?"
"Hmm...oh yeah! She's a really sweet girl. Wait.. how'd you know?" Ella put her fork down. [How does Wulff know about her? Are they connected somehow?].
"I saw you two walking out of the dormitory together. Those in high society know all about her family and her engagement with the Prince."
"Then...are you part of high society?"
"Something like that...but I don't like to get involved unless it's necessary." Wulff's eyes sharpened as he looked at Ella.
"But you should be careful. Your friendship might draw unwanted attention."
"Of course! I already get so many stares, but it's gonna get worse now that I'm with Merula. Gosh, I wish people would mind their own business." Ella sighed.
['Unwanted attention'...did he mean the public...or the royal family? Or is it another party I'm unaware of? Wait... did he play the game also?].
"Keep your head up. Don't overthink too much." Wulff ruffled her hair.
"I don't like seeing you sad. Here, have some cake." Wulff placed a piece of red velvet cake on his spoon putting it near Ella's mouth.
Wulff gave a knowing look to Ella, wanting to feed her. She pouted before letting him feed her.
[He's treating me like a kid! But the cake is yummy so imma let this slide].
"If you face some troubles ahead, I'll always protect you, so just be yourself. You don't have to worry."
"Woah...are you my own personal knight, Wulff? So cool~" Ella said, teasing him.
"Yes. Now finish your plate."
"Okay, Mister Knight! Whatever you say," before Ella stuffed her face with another bite.
-
"Okay students! The next orientation activity is your classes. At Leon Academy, there are four compulsory subjects and two electives for your first semester. These compulsory subjects are History, Literature, Gift Training and Gift Properties and Ethics.
On the sheets given to you this morning, the list of electives is outlined ranging from the Arts to Sword Fighting. From your second semester onwards, you will choose two majors to focus on with four electives, but that is for later."
For the rest of the day, there will be specific rooms dedicated to the subjects and electives. These rooms will be led by the Professor of the particular course, who will introduce their speciality, topics that will be learned and so on. You will be able to have a taste of the course and make up your mind on what to study."
This will last until dinner which will be from 6 pm to 9 pm. Curfew will be at 11 pm and this is set for all junior students. Have fun and enjoy the rest of the day!" With the last word from Dean Caspian, students scurried away with beaming faces.
"I'll need to grab that piece of paper from earlier at the dorms. Have you already decided what you'll study, Wulff?" Ella asked, wondering what subjects she'll choose.
"More or less. Unfortunately, darling, I won't be able to join you, I've got some things to do."
"Awwww." Ella made a sad face, pouting.
"Just kidding, it's fine. I'll see you at dinner."
Waving Wulff goodbye, Ella realised that this was the first time she was left alone since coming to the Capitol. It felt nice. [I can feel my introverted self soaking up this energy. Although being with someone is great, I need a break].
Picking up the subject list she scanned the paper for any unique courses. [Hmm...mathematics, cooking, etiquette (yuck!), sword training...there's a lot to choose from]. In the end, Ella decided on Medicinal Potions and Herbs and Cooking.
[So, Medicine is at the Greenhouse building while Cooking is next to the Dining hall. Sounds easy peasy. The Greenhouse is also where the Botany course is, I'll check them both out.]
As Ella walked towards the Greenhouse, she took a breath of fresh air. The trees were moving with the soft wind and the air had a floral tinge to it from the numerous flowers lined along the pathway. After several steps, the Greenhouse was in front of her.
[Holy shit, this is freaking massive! Goddamn, this Academy is rich as hell!].
The Greenhouse had a Victorian style to it, with a dome-shaped centre, made with glass. There was a huge staircase to the middle dome entrance, with a ground-level greenhouse at the bottom of the stairs, and the entire building was at least 300 metres in length. Right in front of the Greenhouse was a large round pond filled with lily pads.
"If only I had my phone...ugh, I would get so many likes on Instagram."
Walking to the Medicinal Potions and Herbs class, situated on the ground floor, the smell reminded Ella of a traditional Chinese medicine shop mixed with dried tea leaves. Reaching an arched wooden door and the sign "Potions & Herbs", Ella gently pushed with the sound of little bells ringing as she opened the door.
"Welcome, welcome! Please take a seat. My name is Professor Alice Cospter. What's yours?"
"Ahh...my name is Ella Deon." Ella introduced herself awkwardly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, here, have a seat!"
Sitting down with several other students, she took a closer look at Professor Cospter. She was a tall tanned woman with a slender build. With silver pixie cut and several gold piercings, it reminded Ella of Alice Cullen from Twilight. [She even has the same name too...].
"As you all know, I am Professor Alice Cospter, the head of Medicinal Potions and Herbs. You may have deducted that I either have the gift in Earth or Water and those that guessed Water are correct! Ever since young, I've had a keen interest in herbs and plants.
In this subject, you will be learning all about all kinds of herbs and plants that will aid you in your adventures! Whether it's just daily life or travelling, knowing what plants can benefit you will help you greatly. Not only will we focus on medicines and ailments, but also potions and herbs that have nutritional and health benefits.
I have placed copies of the subject outline which will go through what topics we will be learning at the table next to the door. The textbook is also beside it. Feel free to ask me any questions and explore the Greenhouse!"
Grabbing a copy of the subject outline, Ella skimmed through the details.
"Chamomile...valerian...echinacea...it sounds wonderful. I'm glad I chose this subject. I need to know more about things that will help me in this world." She mumbled.
Weaving throughout the Greenhouse and sidetracked through pleasant-smelling flowers, Ella visited the Botany class which was taught by an even taller woman. With a blonde bob cut and cat eyeliner, Professor Rosaline Cospter was in contrast to Professor Alice Cospter and spoke few words. A master of Earth, she later revealed she and Professor Alice were a couple.
[That explains the same surnames since they look nothing alike. But it's nice to see that in this world, there's marriage equality].
Glancing at the clock, Ella realised it was 4:30 pm.
"Eh? Time flies so fast, I should visit the cooking classroom before dinner!"
Making her way back to the Dining Hall, Ella was surprised to see that the classroom was actually located right behind where she had lunch. Rather than a classroom, it felt like she had entered a large kitchen, with sparkling utensils and stovetops.
Cooking was taught by Professor Rose Hemmings who she had met earlier.
"Good afternoon, everyone! Most of you have already met me at the dormitory but to the boys in the class, I am Professor Rose Hemmings. Cooking is an essential activity that is crucial for our survival. It affects our health, quality of life and also our relationships with people, whether it's family or... a special someone." Professor Hemmings gave a wink, making the female students giggle and Ella even saw a boy blush.
"Food can quickly make or break an individual and is a way for us to express our emotions and feelings. Here in this class, not only will I teach you the basics of cooking but the nutritional value of food. From the very start, you will learn to cook with the most common ingredients found in Lumiere before progressing to more complicated and complex cuisines."
"We will be studying from two textbooks, a recipe and health text which is a requirement of the subject. They can be purchased at the Academy bookstore or borrowed from the library. You've probably heard it a thousand times but the subject outline is next to the door."
Professor Hemmings gave them a small tour of the classroom which included a massive fridge and the behind-the-scenes of the food during meal times prepared by several kind old ladies before dismissing them.
"Alright students! It's a quarter to 6 and these ladies and I have to start preparing for your dinner. I hope to see you all in class next week!"