A low electrical buzz clung to the vicinity of the classroom, fully accompanying the professor's soft and magnetic voice.
Yoel slightly tilted his head at the weird coincidence unfolding before him. He couldn't forget the face he had seen during his evaluation.
The professor's eyes carefully traced each and every single one of the students, carefully studying them, and analyzing their expressions.
He nodded each time he passed onto another student, indicating some kind of approval.
As to what kind of approval and what it had been based on, Yoel couldn't even begin to guess.
"It seems like the class this year around is filled with only promising talents! Although I must admit, it was sad that most of the future first years were lost in the dungeon incident, this in turn paved the way for the diamonds in the rough to prove themselves."
The man had a sheepish smile, and Yoel felt slightly uncomfortable at the tone of his voice as he spoke about such a heavy matter.
Perhaps this was professor Cassiel's own way of trying to ease their minds, although Yoel doubted this provided any kind of comfort to any student, but he couldn't really reprimand the professor for this.
"So, with that being said. Let's go over the important stuff first. I'm going to be your instructor in Avon basics. Each of you will focus on rudimentary skills at first, such as sensing the avon within you, trying to move it and so on."
A small pause came after that, allowing the students to process the information before he continued speaking.
"After I go over each and every single one of you, we will focus on strengthening your weaknesses, and then your strengths."
A slightly nervous atmosphere now enveloped the classroom, this sudden talk about how things were going to proceed on the first day felt as if it was way too strict, but even so, this wouldn't be a prestigious academy without a bit of strictness.
"Alright, let's get movin–"
Professor Cassiel was interrupted by a loud noise that came from the sliding door of the classroom.
Each student turned to look at the door, not only because of their curiosity, but also because of the unbelievable pressure the person at the door exuded.
If Yoel were to activate his Shadow Sight right now, he would see that the motes of avon were swirling and favoring this person rather generously.
"Cassiel… What do you think you're doing?"
The voice sounded irritated, and the frustration laced within each word spoken felt as if it was influencing not only Professor Cassiel but also the rest of the students.
And even beyond that, the world itself.
"L-Lady Ariadne.. what might be the matter on this fine morning?"
Professor Cassiel stumbled on his words, allowing his fear to seep out, although Yoel couldn't be sure that that fear he was projecting was quite real, or simply a show.
"W-What might be the matter, you say…"
Now, it was time for this "Lady Ariadne" to stumble on her own words. But there had been a clear difference between her and Professor Cassiel.
Lady Ariadne did not stumble on her words because of fear.
"The matter is that you're teaching class at the wrong damn time! You're supposed to be the last to go, you damned idiot!"
Yoel and a few other students tilted their heads at this weird and childish confrontation.
Wasn't this supposed to be a prestigious academy? Why are the professors bickering amongst themselves?
At this thought, however…
The man who was supposed to be Professor Cassiel suddenly turned his head to meet Yoel's eyes. His icy blue eyes seemed as if they had been covered in some kind of haze; as if they had been searching for something.
Suddenly, Yoel recalled the scene Professor Cassiel had made upon his arrival. That grey mist that swirled as if forming a typhoon…
It was now contained in the man's eyes.
Yoel tried to break eye contact with him, but he was instead beaten by the professor.
A slight tingle pirouetted up his spine as if someone swept their hand over it, and Yoel instantly tried to shake away the feeling.
Weird, so weird!
To any outsider, he looked as if he had suddenly been struck by a bolt of lightning, causing a few curious and confused eyes to turn to him.
Quickly enough, however, their attention was instantly turned away to the professors.
Professor Cassiel had started walking towards the door, wearing a defeated expression and his shoulders slightly drooped down.
Lady Ariadne, however, walked up to the podium and sighed a sigh that felt like it was longer than it should've.
"That idiot.. My apologies, students. My name is Ariadne, and I am going to be your professor in 'Planetary Politics'."
Silence filled the classroom, and realization began to wash over the students.
Only now did Yoel really pay attention to his professor's appearance.
She had been a somewhat tall woman, with bright purple hair tied into a knot. She wore a leather dress that tightly clung to her body and she oozed a welcoming kind of radiance, now that Professor Cassiel had left the room.
Her expression was soft, soft enough to distract Yoel from the fact that she taught such a boring subject.
"Now as you all may have heard, he is the professor in charge of you for this year, but he was not supposed to show up until the last class. However due to… certain circumstances, along with planetary politics, I will also be teaching you all in numerous ways in how to defend yourselves, whether it be in politics, or other situations."
What followed after this was an introductory explanation to Planetary Politics, what the first year students would be doing over the span of this year and what "defending themselves" entailed.
As Yoel focused on the class, he slowly began to forget that weird interaction with the other professor and let his mind slip into total focus.
Suddenly, his head was brought out of that state by the sudden noise of the bell.
"That's it for our class today. Make sure to pay attention to the other classes, no matter how boring they may look like!"
With that, the professor turned around and left.
It took a few awkward moments before the students in the class slowly approached each other.
Yoel felt his mind slip into another train of thought, but before he could delve too much into whatever he was thinking, he saw Cole, Loki and Vasil heading in his direction.
"So, the hero's decided to keep to himself, huh?"
Cole said jokingly, trying to start a conversation with Yoel.
"Don't say that stuff in public places, Cole."
Loki let out a sigh and followed after Cole, and Vasil did the same, although from a distance.
"Pretty weird exchange, huh? Didn't expect something like this to happen on the first day. It really makes me feel at ease."
Cole said once again, after easing himself on the unoccupied seat in front of Yoel.
"Still, that test they tried to pull on us the first day really contradicts that easygoing argument, doesn't it?"
"What do you mean, Loki? Did you seriously find that hard?"
Cole stared at Loki with a shocked expression, and Yoel felt that this expression was more genuine than others.
"I mean, my enigma isn't at all based around navigating through damned illusions, you know. Its more of a physical boost for now than anything else."
Loki explained as the other three boys listened. Yoel and Vasil had taken a sort of spectator role in this conversation, trying to discern where it was heading.
"Hah! It was pretty easy for me. After all, that was a low-level illusion!"
Cole said as he mimicked a grabbing motion at the air. When he opened his hand. a white and pristine feather was nestled on his palm.
"You guys awakened your enigmas?"
It was Yoel who spoke this time, he had been slightly surprised and it seems that he had been waiting for a moment to include himself in the conversation.
"Of course, how could we not after that experience we went through? As a matter of fact, most of us awakened right as we exited from the portal, while you were snoozing."
Cole explained the situation to Yoel, and he realized that the rest of the class had been showing off their enigmas.
He turned his head to inspect the classroom, only to find a weird concoction of colors assaulting his vision.
Amongst the many students showing off their enigmas, he also saw Lilith talking with a few other girls, who looked to be her age.
After that little talk, Cole turned to Yoel and Vasil, who hadn't spoke at all since the class ended.
"Actually, I am kind of curious. How did you two get here before us? Did you use some kind of enigma?"
Before Yoel could answer the question, Vasil stood up and spoke in a slightly low tone.
"Actually… I haven't awakened my enigma yet."