POV: Syreene
Location: Dyonegar, School Campus
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Another morning, another cumbersome history report from a paranoid classmate. Syreene woke up to a brighter side of last night's events, brushing off the entire exchange in a heartbeat. But today, she had trouble staying awake as she dozed off into the whiteboard, her chin lazily perched on her palm. How many times does she have to hear the same ol' story? And sadly enough, it would always spew out from the same student, Naphen.
"I tell you all, my fellow classmates, we cannot fight against this horde without proper planning and defense! Aegelleon is not enough! Do you not recall the tragic days of The Falling? Our militia was crushed! Completely snuffed out by day three, and we had no one to protect us! No one to defend us! We had to hide like little mole-men down underground, under ocean bases, just to survive! Starve them out—that was the best we could have done! Well what about the Omega demons? Those colossal monsters towering over our homes and businesses? The mere two that emerged from desert lands were enough to flatten cities! Don't forget the Demabues, Akarras, Seevas, and even jackers hiding right under our noses! Where are they all even coming from?"
He dropped to his knees, his hands frantically flailing over his head as his voice began to crack. "Have you ever stopped to ask 'why us? Why Khorgathe?' Has our mother truly struck us with so much hate? Our goddess, Dessaria, once giver of strength and guidance, now mother of chaos and sorrow… she is to blame. But why? Why has she betrayed her people? And why haven't her sisters protected us? Myllithode, mother of courage and wisdom, Ethessia, creator of life, goddess of beauty—have their spirits truly turned their backs on their children? If prophecy remains true, then all the districts of our country will eventually crumble to the demonic cult, despite Dessaria being put to rest centuries ago. It is only a matter of time…" He broke into tears, his eyes bulging out of his head with a shattering cry, "We're all going to die!"
Professor Jace pulled herself from behind the podium, helping her student up by his arm. "Thank you, Mr. Rander. That was very… emotional, as always." The class paid the report with an unsynchronized, dull round of applause before Professor Jace introduced the last presentation of class.
Syreene daydreamt, her thoughts orbiting around her on-and-off again crush. How did she get herself caught in such drama? Right after being kidnapped too... No, she didn't want to relive that again. A couple of days ago, she was just a normal fourteenth level student, living a routine way of life… drone, but easy nonetheless!
"Be gentle!" Syreene bellowed from her sleep, nearly falling off her seat. She could feel the eyes of her peers surrounding her shame. "Oh, uh…" She nervously sunk behind her desk, whispering, "sorry…"
Almost on cue, a guest to redirect their attention—the headmistress welcomed herself in, cradling a clipboard to her chest. A tall gent garbed in an ash-gray blazer followed her gait to the head of the classroom. Syreene could already feel the starry eyes gawking at him from behind her. She wasn't as guilty, examining him rather than ogling. His long black, framing hair, lean chiseled chest, mesmerizing amber eyes. Okay, he's hot.
"Pardon the intrusion, Mrs. Jensyn, but Class C has a new professor who will be tending to their Advanced Mathematics lecture. Mr. Kentworth has submitted an extended leave of absence, and in his place, I would like you all to give a warm welcome to Mr. Aeryn Seiger." A warm welcome indeed, even a few wolf whistles. The rowdy class of raging female hormones was soon quelled down by the headmistress. "Please, please, behave yourselves. This is only temporary, but I would love for you all to treat Mr. Seiger with respect and poise."
He pulled the collar of his ribbed-knit sweater up, greeting his new students with a thin smile, "What an honor to facilitate brilliant minds to build a better tomorrow. Thank you for having me."
Emie leaned over from behind Syreene, whispering, "Stud alert, am I right?" She giggled, her face suddenly growing red as their new teacher looked over to them. Syreene froze, and Emie reeled back into her seat.
Yeah, this is going to be an interesting semester.
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