The crispy autumn air served as a chilling alarm clock that kept the citizens of Hestanar awake. A rooster bellowed as the sun rose, signalling the start of another day. The commoners that lived within the city wall gradually awoke from their deep slumber, beginning their usual routine.
But for some, today was different. Unlike how kids would usually act – taking care of animals, cooking, fetching materials, or helping in the family business. The children all had the same thing in mind, and this was something that they always thought of the entire week – the new Hestanar School.
Likewise, as morning came, all children had eaten their morning fill, gotten properly dressed, and cleansed themselves before making their way toward the school.
As a young girl made her way towards the Trading Heart of the city, she could see fellow children around the same age as herself, heading in the same direction she was heading. She could only assume that the other children were also heading to the same class.
As she progressed further, markets stands and shops began opening for business, welcoming customers to inspect their goods, and if they were lucky, to buy their products.
"Aye girl, you hungry?" One of the stall keepers called out at her.
The girl looked in the direction of the voice and saw what appears to be an old man with a long white beard. On top of his stall counter, various types of fish could be seen hanging all around his stall.
"I have a name you know." The girl called out the rude shop owner, frustrated at his lack of respect.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. But it's hard to remember the names of all my customer." the fisherman called out apologetically as he laughed off his forgetfulness.
"But anyway, buy some of my fish. They were only caught yesterday morning. Fresh off da' hooks!" the shopkeeper exclaimed proudly of his game.
The girl shook her head: "Not today, I have important things to do."
The shopkeeper raised his eyebrow. He scanned the girl in front of him again and thought about what could cause her to speak this way. Then, from the corner of his memory, he remembered that the so-called 'school' was opening.
"Ahh, it's the new school everyone is talking about, ain't it?" the shopkeeper said.
"I guess you can remember things, after all, baldy." The girl replied.
"Well, I have ta remember how many fish I catch every day. So it ain't too hard to remember some important events."
"Hey, you ain't gonna buy some of these fish! Why are you running?" the shopkeeper yelled out as he saw the girl rushing off in the distance.
"I'm gonna be lateee–!" the girl yelled back.
The small figure dashed through the open boulevard that connected the Marketplace to the Port. Then, she took a cheeky turn down an alleyway on the side of the main street. After progressing a few metres, she finally reached where she remembered the opening speech occurred.
When she arrived at the location. She could see that armed guards were all around the building. Just outside the entrance, she could see many other children of the same age as her crowding outside the Hestanar School.
She approached closer to further inspect the building. There at the very front of the entrance laid a shop front plaque. But instead of the image of a beer can, the plaque was replaced with an image of multiple books laid on top of one another. There were also strange letters and alphabets assembled at the very bottom of the sign.
She could only assume the words spelled out 'school' due to her being illiterate. Which is something that would soon be changed…
As the girl walked into the building, she could identify neat roles of tables lined up in an orderly manner, all facing one direction. All around her, excited chatter from other students filled the interior.
For a moment, she was quite amazed at the entire experience and didn't know what to do. But then, she saw a familiar figure sitting behind one of the tables.
She moved closer before taking a seat right next to the familiar figure she recognised.
"Morning Eri!" the girl called out as she sat down.
The person sitting in the seat turned her head to see who called out at her. She was relieved when she saw a friend she recognised. "Sofia! What took you so long? I was here all morning waiting for you."
"My bad, I was chatting with that baldy shopkeeper," Sofia said as she tapped her foot on the ground, slightly excited.
"You kept me waiting. I was so nervous waiting for you to come."
The two girls continued their talk. They discussed various topics from how their parents are doing to what activities they should do together when it's playtime. Their conversation persisted for a while.
As the two girls discussed, more children headed inside the classroom and picked their seats and tables to sit behind. Some children were nervous, whilst others were talkative and couldn't hold in their excitement.
Before long, pounded steps came from the stairs, signalling the arrival of a new person. A man in his mid-20s arrived at the very front of the classroom. With saggy eyes that much suggested a lack of recent sleep, the man slapped himself awake.
The children in the room well recognised the presence of the man by now. After all, the man was the only adult in the room by far.
But after some thinking, they all recognised him as the person that performed the opening speech a few days back. It is not hard to forget his physical characteristics.
Long black hair tied into a bun, with a fine square jaw that much heightened his already masculine features. His eyes dark as the ample coal, which suggested his down to earth nature. He was quite the looker, and it wouldn't be surprising if the man was a massive flirt with the opposite sex.
Yes, it was Kent.
The lord pinched his nose bridge as he kept himself awake. He wondered when he would be able to taste another cup of coffee that he so much enjoyed – something that is much needed after his many sleepless nights.
By then, the room was quiet as the children eagerly prepared for what was to come.
"Alright students, let's begin your first language class." The lord said wearily as he picked up stacks of parchment paper, handing them out to the students.