My first day at the academy had arrived. I stood at the front of a large classroom. Behind me was a chalkboard that practically took up the wall. Next to me was our instructor ; he had introduced himself as Quilon. He appeared to be in his early 30's though with Elves that could be a pretty wide range of ages. Wearing a mage-like outfit he presented himself in a very professional manner.
"Attention please" he spoke to the rows of students in front of us. It was a diverse looking crowd of ages 13-16. "We will be acquiring a new student today.". I stood stiff and quiet as he spoke. I was trying my best to maintain a calm, collected appearance. I was beginning to feel the repercussions of a stunted social growth. "He is a mage type skill user.".
As he spoke I could tell it was to a waning audience. "Please step forward and introduce yourself.".
At his request "Hello" my mouth felt like a desert "I apologize for my delayed enrollment but I hope to learn a whole very much here" I panicked and couldn't decide on a whole lot or very much. In the end I just stumbled on my words. I could see and hear some people whisper and snicker to one another. I felt my face go cold. "Your name please" a serious voice spoke from behind me.
"Right, my apologies. My name is Elwen Vinswain, nice to meet you all.". The whispers stop and a hush swept across the room. Basically no one had been paying attention before. I only know that because now that they were all focused on me, it was an entirely new level of stress.
"Thank you. You may take your seat, second row from the back." I nodded and quickly made my way."
I hurriedly made my way to the open spot, simply grateful I did not have to speak any further.
The lecture lasted a few hours though it went by rather fast. It was a mix of oral and textbook. In a swing of luck a majority of what they were focusing on currently and previous was FSE history so I was not really all that behind. Good thing because it was hard to focus with the constant rotation of glances and stares. Still, I guess it's a good thing I didn't just surrender to active enlistment.
I began making my way out of the classroom. Some people continued past me, others paused and stared. I lowered my head and picked up my pace, as I left the door and turned to make my way down the hallway of rooms I felt a hand grab my shoulder from behind and a surprised voice call out
"Whoa hey man wait up a sec i'm supposed to talk to you!"
I stopped and turned to see a tomboy type. She was definitely older than me around 16-17. She had darker skin and her hair was a deep red, cut short and scruffy. Her toned arms were prominently displayed, as were two large sheathed blades on her hip. "My names Hilda, your Elwen right? The queen's son?" she said it loudly and blatantly. People stopped and turned to briefly look before they continued. Thanks a lot.
She continued "Don't be so quick to leave yeah? The uppers asked me to give you a mini orientation, show you around type of thing."
"O-oh" I felt my previous tension start to slip. It would honestly be a great help to not have to wander around aimlessly based on maps, I should be grateful. "Thank you. I would greatly appreciate it" I bowed slightly.
She let go of my shoulder and smiled, beginning to walk past me "Sure thing, follow me.".
We began walking through various stone hallways and rooms with her pointing out various places as we passed them.
"So what did you think of your first lecture?" She spoke from in front of me, her hands clasped behind her as she walked.
"It was okay" I somewhat mumbled back
"Oh?" she said inquisitively
"It wasn't bad or anything" I replied kinda rushed out of stress "It's just I kind of already knew everything they talked about, and everyone just kept staring at me."
"Well the starres are to be expected. Not only are you a late enrollment which is super rare, but your kinda public interest #2, after the queen of course"
"Right…"
"But in terms of the material, don't worry, I promise it will get better. The first chunk of the academic stuff is really just basic knowledge for the higher nobles that havent had to do anything as boring as learn about the world" she said sarcastically as she turned to face me still walking backwards "But not you?"
I shook my head "No… Before just a few days ago I lived in an estate in the middle of the woods surrounded by no one and nothing. I spent most of my time solo hunting in the mana zone so this nobility stuff is still kinda new and different for me." I looked up to see her looking at me with a somewhat taken aback face "What?" I said confused
Quickly turning away "Nothing, I guess I just didn't expect the queen's son to be a bumpkin"
"Yeah, sorry"
She chuckled and replied "Nah don't apologize, we are the best type of people after all." ina cheerful tone, I felt myself smile
"And with that said we reached our final spot. The combat grounds, which is also where the rest of your day takes place."
I bowed "Thank you again for showing me around"
She replied cheerfully "Hey don't sweat it. If you ever need help with anything or someone to talk to come find me, as long as you don't get all weird about being a noble" she teased
I chuckled somewhat nervously "heh yeah, thank you.".
"No problem, I kinda like you. And with said" her tone shifted to serious "I'll give you a piece of advice about combat class. It might be centered around progressing skills, technique, and whatever else but there's also a second unspoken purpose of combat class and that's to display your standing. Not everyone does but for those who do ,usually nobles, it's all about underhanded petty attempts to show they are above you any way they can. And one of the best is to somehow target someone with a higher political and social standing than you which means"
"They are all going to target me"
"Exactly. So I'm not saying to join them, but I'm also not saying to let yourself be taken advantage of. Do with that what you will."
I nodded "Thank you" and with that she smiled back and took her leave. I began to make my way outside to the large field of combat areas, obstacle courses and other various physical based equipment and zones. It was time for my first official combat class.