Next day, I woke up around the same time as yesterday. I ate breakfast and went to school. Mother dropped me off. I still haven't memorized the way so she insisted that she would go with me so that I wouldn't get lost or be late.
When we arrived there we saw Mister Harry with Philip. We greeted them and then me and Philip went inside the school and sat in class. I sat on the same chair as yesterday. It was empty, so I decided to take it again. It was in the middle of the class not too in front and neither too far back.
I didn't to attract attention, I hoped to pass my school years as peaceful as possible. Philip came next to me and sat next to my chair. He was silent as I saw him yesterday. I don't know if he was shy or timid. So I decided that I would start a conversation with him.
"Hi, my name is Edward" I decided to start by giving my name.
He looked at me than said in a low voice.
"h-hi, I am Philip, nice to meet you"
I sighed. ( At least he will talk, I thought he would ignore or something)
I tried to prolong the conversation so I asked him
"Are you hyped about school?"
I said it trying to look excited. He looked at me in confusion he kept staring at me
"what's wrong?" I asked him. I didn't what he was thinking.
"H-hy-ped? what does that mean?" He said trying to pronounce what I said.
I knew what he was thinking and I facepalmed. I just spoke an English word from back on earth. Of course he would be confused.
"HA-HA-HA", I laughed lightly and then said " AH, sorry I meant to say, Are you excited about school? HA-HA" I started laughing awkwardly, People would think of me as someone weird if I kept slipping and speaking in unknown languages. I better start watching myself.
he looked at me more than said
"A little bit"
And then the teacher walked in and sat on his desk. It was the same person from yesterday. The nice, chubby, woman. She looked at us and said:
"Good morning kids, today you will start officially learning in school, there is everything you need to write. All of you have passed the writing test before being accepted in school so I'll be writing and explaining on the board and then I will let you copy everything you want when I tell you. I don't want to see anyone touch the pencil before that. and do not make noise unless you have a question and if you do you have to raise your hand and do not speak until I give you permission"
She said that as she turned around and started taking some paper from her bag. I was kept thinking. What was the test she was talking about. I don't remember passing any test nor doing one. I decided to ask my parents about it when I got back home.
I took my pencil and papers and put them on the desk. Everyone was silent. I guess they took the teacher's word to heart.
( She did a complete character change from yesterday, She was nice but now she sounds very strict. I mean I know you have to teach kids respect and obedience but that's too much. I mean, they're still kids. And the best way to win them is by making a funny and refreshing environment)
" Today, we will start by learning history, So pay attention"
She said as she lifted a piece of paper and said
"what is history and why would we study it ?"
She looked at us but no one answered. and then said
"As on its face, it is no more than news about the days, states, and precedents of the first centuries, in which words grow, proverbs are given, and the status of creation leads us to how conditions fluctuated.
Inside, it is consideration and investigation, and accurate explanations of People and their principles, and a deep knowledge of the forms and causes of the facts.
As it informs us about the conditions of the past from the nations in their disagreements, and the kings in their countries and their policies; So that it is useful to follow the example of those who seek Righteousness."
I was flabbergasted by her answer, it was wise, insightful, convincing and true. Many would question about the purpose of learning about dead people who were gone and nations that are no more. but the truth is by virtue of their success and failures that we build our future.
The history lesson went by very fast, I was really pleased with it. the teacher's speech intrigued me a lot. And I was absorbing all she said like a dry sponge. I have read History books at the library but Miss Bernarda threw some new information and explained things clearly.
She mostly talked about the kingdom's history for the past hundred and fifty years. It was about how studying in schools becoming all most for free. It was due to King Alfred Alexanderson the fourteenth who insisted that education becomes free. Schools, Academies and universities would become freely accessible while the kingdom would pay a sum for these Institutes.
At first all of them, were against these measures and opposed them, but after intense persuasion from the crown. Schools agreed but they would take the symbolic some from people and the pay from the government. It was more rewarding that way because more students will be able to attend and the income from all of the symbolic sum would be great. Academies, which were mostly run by rich merchants and minor nobles, instead offered a discount for their services but not more. It was still getting greater income than before.
But universities were still opposing this idea because it won't be rewarding at all, they already take a huge sum of money for their teachings because they often hire capable and known Mages, and they only accept very talented and accomplished individuals, and those generally already belonged to the higher society of Grand Mages and Major Nobles.
I turned around and saw Philip silent again so I wanted to have his opinion on the subject
" So, did you like the lesson?"
he looked at me than turned back and said
"It is interesting, I like it"
( At least he likes something) I sighed internally than said
"What do usually like to do"
" I like books"
I lighted up. at least we got common ground. I found something to talk about.
but as I wanted to say something, the next subject's teacher came in. He was a middle aged man and was going to teach us Calculus. I lost interest in the subject really quickly because he only taught the basic of mathematics. I am a physicist for god's sake. I am able to solve complex equations. It was frustrating to have someone teach you something you are already good at.
But then again, It's not earth anymore. I have to let that go, I wish I could stop thinking about it but it's impossible. I have an entire family there. And even after these six years, I couldn't afford to forget them. I wonder how are they doing right now.
I was lost in my thoughts when the bell rang. I only returned to reality just because I saw the students standing up and getting out. I went outside and said my goodbyes to Philip who waved back at me, then I went to the library to ask mister Abraham if he could help me learn some Aristarchii.
When I got there I saw him in his usual place at the front desk cleaning the dust from some books.
"Hello mister Abraham, how are you doing today?"
"OH, Eddy, come in"
He liked to call me that, and I didn't dislike it either. Mister Abraham was a really nice guy and I respected him very much. He is kind, wise and willing to help others. He was a grandfather figure for me. which makes me contemplate something. I never asked about my own Grandparents. I guess I should sometime.
"What are you gonna read today Eddy ?"
mister Abraham's voice take me off from my train of thoughts.
"oh, Actually mister Abraham, I want to ask you if you could teach me how to speak Aristarchii ?"
"What's wrong? why the sudden interest?"
"I am just curious about other countries and since I am going to learn it in my final year in school, I thought why not now?"
mister Abraham looked at me puzzled
"Are you sure you are six years old ?"
he said as he dropped his monocle and threw a piercing gaze at me.
"Well never mind, I'll get you a book"
he stood up, went around his desk towards the furthest shelf from his desk. He grabbed a book from the top and came back.
"here, Take this, It's a book that contains basic Aristarchii words explained and how to pronounce them. It should help you. If you are stuck and unsure about something just ask me. I can speak Aristarchii fluently, It's my mother tongue after all."
"wow, you are from Aristarchos Empire, I didn't know that"
"well, never mind go study "
He said as he pushed my back and got down back to cleaning books.
I sat down opened the book and started reading it. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't that different from this language aside from some new words and some pronunciations. So I was thinking that I would be able to learn it quickly. probably master it in three years time.
I studied for two hours, and then I returned home. On my way out, I asked mister Abraham if I could someone to read with me in the library tomorrow and he told me to suit myself.
I was planning to ask Philip if he wanted to come with me to the library. I don't know why I liked him that much. But he was a nice guy.
I did my usual when I got back, I trained, ate dinner, took a bath then went to sleep. It sure became busy the last couple of days. But I was enjoying it.