After lunch break lessons of stream and optional subjects take place.
My stream subject is Art as I don't need lessons in swordsmanship and piano due to my Maa and my sister. And My optional subjects are Archaeology and Biology.
I entered the classroom with Rachel where many students are already sitting in their seats. We took an empty seat and made ourselves comfortable while waiting for the teacher to come.
Rachel is also a student in the same year as me at the academy even though she is 4 years older.
She chose Cooking as her stream subject while biology and medicine are her optional subject.
Soon Professor Kuba came in with a fat book in hand, he is thin and six feet tall with black hair and dark brown eyes and wore a white lab coat and white pants.
"So, students where were we last time?" He asked, to which a student replied.
"Professor we were about to start 'topic 98' Core."
"Okay, if that's the topic then, what is Core? Can anyone answer me?" For almost 10 seconds no one answered. So I decided to raise my hands and answer.
"Yes, Prince Finn, please answer."
"A core is the center or most important part of a living being." I answered.
"Well said Prince Finn, but let me add some more things like non-living things also have core or center points to be exact but non-living will be off-topic so let me give you an example of a living thing." He said with a thoughtful expression.
"Dire wolf, a common beast you can find in the forest of our empire. Its core is located in its heart but from recent research, we found that there are six different spots where a core can be found in beasts. Like in forest bears, the core is inside their brain."
He revealed which made many gasps.
"But in Humans till now we have found core only on the center of the chest." He said as I started thinking.
[Can I form a core in a different place in my body?]
"As you all know that humans form mana core except for some or I say very few people who don't have any mana. They form a small and empty Core, devoid of any mana."
[Just like me, I guess.]
"Now who is going to explain the ranks of the mana core?" Trying to encourage others to answer specifically the commoner students he hinted to put my hands down.
After 15 seconds a student raised his hands to answer meanwhile I turned to Rachel. Understanding the gesture she spoke in a hushed voice.
"He is the 2nd son of a low-rank Baron family in 'Divine Alchemy Kingdom'." She informed me about the student who raised his hand to answer.
"Pro~professor t~the mana core has five types in quality which are red, Orange, yellow, silver and gold. And in capacity, they are in ascending order from red to gold." He answered, gaining confidence in himself.
[To be honest, his answer is quite good for someone who only has general information about mana core.]
"Yes, you are correct but this is only the surface answer. Let me tell you a little secret, in research we have found two more types of mana core." With one eye closed he revealed the little secret while putting his index finger on his lips with a smile.
Every commoner and low-rank noble showed their surprise but for higher-rank nobles, this was not new information to them.
Professor Kuba is a cunning man, he knows how to attract interest to his subject, from the start to the current point, he only explained to us the knowledge given in our books and the 'little secret' are all well-known to high-rank nobles too.
With a little digging and connection, any student can find out about it.
[The only thing today I learned here is how to make your speech more interesting and approachable.]
*****
After the Biology lessons, it is time for the Art lesson which is my stream subject. Rachel and I separated as we have different lessons.
Any subject taught in this academy can be chosen as a stream subject that's why Rachel chose to take cooking as her stream.
She says that she will become the first Grandmaster cook.
When I reached the classroom, everyone present bowed with genuine respect for me as they respect me for not my status but for my artwork.
In these three years of my academic life, I realize that an artist's mind is very delicate and get easily influenced by their art.
I walked through the students towards my seat and upon reaching I glanced at my surroundings and found our Grandmaster teacher busy with his creations.
Leaving him be I asked the closest student near me.
"What is today's theme?" The student was crafting a miniature boat with wood.
As he heard my voice, he stared at me for a second then he pointed towards the blackboard and went back to his work.
I saw the theme written on the blackboard 'Hidden story' and started thinking about it.
*****
[It's finally done.]
I thought as I marveled at my creation, the painting shows a man in a boat coming out of a cave and witnessing a colossal skull in front, he observes it with shock and fear as on the skull, water was falling from the waterfall.
When I finally glanced around, I realized that everyone was behind me and staring at my painting with full of curiosity and admiration.
"Your Highness, if it is not disrespectful to ask? What is your inspiration for this painting?" Asked a black-haired girl.
But before I can answer her, our teacher burst out of his seat and started dancing on his own.
"Yes I did it, I finally made it, I am now a fully-fledged 'trio art grandmaster'."
[Oh I get it now, that's why he was so focused on his work.]
"Haa... O~ your Highness you came at the right time I finally achieved it, my goal, my dream, my ambition haa... " He was releasing deep breaths like a beast in heat.
He hurriedly came closer to my face, taking a deep breath he said.
"Your Highness do you want to see wha... !! What is this? who made this?" He abruptly stopped and asked about my painting.
But when he saw my signature in the corner of the painting he immediately knew it was me who made this.
"You always make something new and unimaginable your highness." He complimented me, then asked.
"So, what is your inspiration?"
~sigh~ I sighed.
[Making is not difficult but explaining is.]
"My inspiration is a distant memory I have in my mind, I think. I have seen this place somewhere but it is not in our empire that I am sure, that is why this is a hidden story for me." I said.
"Your Highness, that means this painting represents the story you know and hidden from you at the same time, right?" The girl asked me to which I nodded, my eyes closed.
**********