"Did you hear? A professor would be teaching us in a few weeks," one of the students said.
"Really?" the other replied.
"Yes, and I heard that the professor is young," the former replied.
"I hope it's a man," her fellow student replied, and they giggled before walking away.
The professor in question was sitting on a bench close to them with her pet wolf, thinking about her life and how she got into that mess.
I will be turning eighteen in a few weeks, which is a big deal for me. I survived sixteen. I was so happy when I turned seventeen, and now I'm turning eighteen, I am overjoyed. I never thought I'd live this long, but I am glad that I did.
The large worms were still dormant; I only had minor chest pains and difficulty in breathing, but it wasn't a frequent thing. My research was coming along well, and I was close to finding a cure, but the ingredients were just not complete.
"Let's go, Ty," I said, standing up.
"Is that her?" someone said.
"Wow, she's short, how can someone like that be a professor?" I heard. It's not my fault that I'm short, besides I'm now 4'9", I'm a few inches away from five feet.
Principal played me; he announced that I'd be teaching lectures before informing me. Now I'm on my way to his office, basically to be told. He knows I can't say no, that's why he's doing this. I have a load of work already and don't think I can add another, but did I ever have a choice?
I walked into his office with Tyler and saw the smiling old man. He didn't age at all, probably because he's already old.
"Faina, Galliel's pride, what brings you here?" he asked. Cheap flattery.
"I heard I'd be taking lectures," I said.
"Oh, I forgot to ask," he said. "My bad, will you like to take some lectures for a few days?" He knows I won't refuse.
"I'll do my best," I said, turning to leave.
"I thought you were going to intimidate me into doing your bidding," he teased. I was sleep-deprived, exhausted, and already had a pile of work to do, this is just another addition to the pile, and the old man knows. "You are wasting potential," he said.
"What year will I be teaching?" I asked.
"You'd be teaching second years," he said, and I nodded. "It's just for two weeks till their teacher returns," he said, and I nodded.
"What course?" I asked.
"Introduction to medicine," he replied, and I nodded.
"I'll do my best," I said, turning to leave.
"You can tell me if you don't want to do it," he said. If I had a choice, why did he announce it before informing me? What's the point in asking now? I already said I'd do my best.
"I'll do my best," I said and walked out.
I have to start preparing my teaching materials, but I still have work to do. This is a hassle. I don't want to teach; I don't think I'm the best for this job, but it's not like I have a choice.
"My lady," I heard Ariel's voice and I turned.
"Ariel," I said, surprised. They graduated a few weeks ago, and I've not seen them around much.
"Are you really becoming a teacher?" she asked.
"I just heard too," I said, and she laughed.
"That old man didn't even ask you," she said in amusement. "Good luck," she said, and I nodded.
"Where is Bella?" It's rare to see them separated.
"She said something about a fight; I'm going to meet her now," Ariel said. Fight? Why is Ariel fighting? That is also unusual.
"I'll come with you," I said, and she nodded. "Ty, can you go home and wait for me?" I said, patting his head. Tyler always understands what I'm saying; I don't know how, but it's easy that way.
"Faina," someone called, and I turned. One of my juniors from the dorm, which one was he again? The eldest?
"Oh, it's been a while," I said, and he smiled.
"I heard something interesting," he said. Yes, I am being forced to teach. "I heard that a short professor that walks around with a wolf is going to teach, and I just knew it was you," he said. Thank you for bringing it back to my height, but it wasn't necessary.
"Yes, I just heard," I replied.
"This is interesting; I think I'd take your class," he said, laughing.
"It's Introduction to Medicine," I informed him.
"I just might change majors," he said and turned. "I have to go, good luck," he said, and I nodded.
My life in Galliel keeps taking unexpected turns. In my first year, I heard that there was an attack on the mansion not long after we left, and no one survived. I was devastated because I knew those people, but I had to move on. I was glad that mother was not there, which means that I saved her in a way. Because she came to drop me off for my exams, she escaped the attackers.
In my second year, there was an incident with one of the first years during the test, but I just blended in with the wall and let the others take care of it because I have no special ability. I learned a little healing magic during my student years, but since I didn't have time, I couldn't perfect it. My skills are not grand, but since I possess a high magic status, that little can go a long way and even save a life.
I haven't seen anybody since I became a professor. The people from my dorm, mother's students, and Teon. The only constants in my life are the Fitz sisters; they are always there, except during these past few weeks after they graduated. I haven't spoken to mother in three months, and I'm starting to get worried, but I'm trying to keep a positive mindset.
Since Sienna graduated, I started living the life I planned to live in Galliel, always hidden, no one knows me, and no one sees me, until now I guess.
My wish hasn't changed; I still want to find a cure for Large Worms, but I'm having issues finding the perfect catalyst to join the two formulas that work best. My research isn't over, so I'm not bothered for now since the Large Worms aren't as active as they could be yet.
"We're here," Ariel said, and I nodded.
"What are you doing here?" Bella asked, appearing beside Ariel. How did she do that? I didn't even notice her coming here.
"I came to see what you were talking about," Ariel replied.
"You'd be surprised," Bella replied. "Come this way," she said, leading us away from the crowd of people, ladies, who were struggling with each other to see something. If I got mixed in that crowd, I'd be lost forever.
"What are they trying to see?" I asked. They should have classes by this time of the day; why are they here?
"The person who is beating Galliel students up," Bella replied.
"Why is someone beating them up?" I asked, shocked by her statement.
"You'd see," she said as we walked through a different door leading to the training ground. Why does she make it sound like it's okay?
The minute I walked in, my eyes landed on someone familiar, someone I can recognize from a distance.
Teon.