On the third day at the academy, the students gathered in a vast, ancient-looking classroom for their first history class. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting battles, mythical creatures, and ancestral symbols of power. Kaeleen, Elise, and Borik sat at the back, eager to learn more about the world they had been summoned to.
Professor Lyanna Eldriss entered with a steady stride and a serene expression. With her long, silver hair and robe embroidered with ancient symbols, she radiated an imposing presence. In a clear voice, she began the lesson.
"Welcome to history class," she said, and the class fell silent. "Today, you will learn about the origins of Aether, the planet that is now your home, and the races that inhabit it. I expect you to pay close attention, as understanding this world's past will help you comprehend its present and, perhaps, your destiny."
The students listened in silence, captivated by Lyanna's presence and voice.
"Aether is an ancient world," she continued, "a place built upon secrets and legends. According to the oldest beliefs and records, everything began with a supreme being known as the God King."
"Who was the God King?" a curious student asked.
"An excellent question," Lyanna replied with a nod. "The God King was a being of immeasurable power, the first and last of his kind. Ancient texts depict him as a humanoid figure with a divine aura, able to shape reality at will. Some say he was a human from another world, like yourselves, transformed into divinity by pure mana."
The class watched Professor Lyanna with fascination, and Kaeleen felt a strange connection to the story. It was almost as if the God King had been a precursor to the summoned ones.
"But like all things, the reign of the God King was not eternal," Lyanna continued. "One day, he vanished without a trace. And with him, Aether's balance was lost."
"Soon after his disappearance," Lyanna went on, "Aether witnessed an event that would change its history forever: the arrival of a colossal creature known as T'harak. This cosmic beast appeared near the planet, devouring other worlds and spawning countless monstrous creatures that threatened everything in their path."
Kaeleen felt a chill imagining the magnitude of such a being, and he noticed that Elise and Borik looked equally unsettled. The professor's tone turned solemn as she continued.
"To some, T'harak is a threat that must be destroyed. But to others, his appearance is seen as a trial left by the God King. They view T'harak as an extension of his will—a divine beast meant to test us and challenge our true strength."
"So, there are people who revere T'harak?" Elise asked, surprised.
"Yes," Lyanna responded with a slight nod. "Followers of T'harak believe that the beast was left here by the God King to test Aether's inhabitants, and that to destroy him would be to go against divine will. This division has led to conflicts among the races, with some seeking to eradicate T'harak, while others see him as a sacred figure."
Elise looked at Kaeleen with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Kaeleen couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and respect toward the creature; if it was truly a test from the God King, it was much more than a mere monster.
"Over the centuries," Lyanna continued, "the races of Aether have evolved in response to mana and external threats. The main races you see here are humanoid, though each possesses unique characteristics. Every hundred years, each race is summoned to ensure Aether's survival and diversity."
As Lyanna described each race, the magical board behind her filled with images and names.
Ethelians: "These beings are descendants of humans who arrived on Aether centuries ago, evolving to acquire magical abilities. While they do not excel in any particular specialty, they are respected for their lineage, as it is believed that the God King himself was one of their ancestors." Kaeleen looked at the human-like students around him, realizing that they, too, were a part of the Ethelian evolution. He wondered if his own lineage would one day be rooted in Aether permanently.
Sprites and Dark Sprites: "Sprites, descendants of elves, live in the Viridia Forest, away from other races' conflicts. They specialize in spiritual magic and prefer isolation. In contrast, the Dark Sprites, who were once dark elves, live in the forest's darker, more dangerous regions. They are few in number and tend to remain hidden, as they were nearly wiped out in a war with demons." Elise looked fascinated by the image of Dark Sprites, their dark wings and green eyes captivating her. Kaeleen considered how different these elves were from the elves of traditional stories.
Tormentor: "Evolved from demons, the Tormentor reside in the Ghaal Mountains. They are massive and physically powerful, known for their violence and prowess in combat. Though magic is not their strong suit, they are formidable warriors who respect strength above all."
Khaar's: "Descendants of beastfolk, the Khaar's are known for their versatility and adaptability. Although they lack strong magical abilities, they are skilled hunters and lead a nomadic lifestyle. This race has suffered greatly, often seen as inferior by others and frequently enslaved or forced into hard labor."
Kaeleen thought about the challenge it must be for the Khaar's to survive in a world that viewed them as lesser beings.
Midnight: "This race originated from an inhospitable planet, enduring constant radiation exposure. The Midnight are physically strong and wield unique blood magic. Although feared for their brutal nature and bloody rituals, they consider themselves superior and rarely interact with other races." Kaeleen's eyes fell on an image of a Midnight on the board. Their shadowy appearance and bat-like wings gave them a sinister aura.
Ifrit and Dark Ifrit: "The Ifrit are a peaceful, nature-loving race, skilled in light magic. They are small in stature and live in seclusion on Valenith Island. However, their dark counterparts, the Dark Ifrit, emerged from a mix with Dark Sprites, resulting in a rare and powerful race that combines light and dark magic." The description of the Dark Ifrit sparked great interest among the students, who seemed intrigued by this nearly extinct race.
"In addition to the summoned races, there are others that have inhabited Aether since ancient times. These races are even more powerful, wielding the ancient magic of the old days."
An image of a massive, dark green creature with tentacles appeared on the board. Lyanna explained that these beings were among the ancient races.
Ravenouns: "They resemble the Midnight in appearance, though they lack wings. They control the underworld and are believed to guard ancient secrets of Aether. Their existence is mostly a rumor, and few have had contact with them."
Ctulhu: "This ancient race has nearly been forgotten in history. The Ctulhu were enormous creatures described in legends as world-devourers. Some conspiracy theorists believe that the monster T'harak is actually a Ctulhu that has yet to mature, making it incredibly dangerous."
The students glanced at each other, some with fear and others with fascination. Kaeleen wondered if such powerful beings truly existed in this world and if he would ever encounter them.
Lyanna moved on to describe Aether's regions, each inhabited by a specific race:
Kingdom of Ethelia: Home to the Ethelians, a land of rolling hills and open plains. Once a powerful kingdom, Ethelia has lost much of its influence.
Viridia Forest: A vast, enchanted forest where the Sprites and Dark Sprites reside. The illuminated areas are filled with magical energy, while the shadowy parts hide unknown dangers.
Ghaal Mountains: Volcanic mountains inhabited by the Tormentor. These harsh, dangerous lands reflect the brutality of their inhabitants.
Karesh Plains: The territory of the Khaar's, made up of endless plains and hills. Life here is tough, and the Khaar's lead a hard, nomadic existence.
Drakenholme's Underground Cities: A network of underground cities inhabited by the Midnight, surrounded by an atmosphere of mystery and danger.
Valenith Island: A paradise island where the peaceful Ifrit live. It is a place of beauty and tranquility, far from the continent's conflicts.
Ruins of Zeltor: The ancient home of the Ravenouns, now in ruins. This area is avoided by all due to its aura of danger and desolation.
At the end of the class, Lyanna looked at each of the students and, in a solemn voice, reminded them:
"Aether is a complex and dangerous world. Learn to know and respect it, for every corner of this planet holds secrets and ancient powers that could destroy us all if we are not careful."
Kaeleen left the classroom in silence, absorbed by everything he had learned. He now had a clearer understanding of the world he had entered and the challenge of living in a place so vast and full of mystery. He knew he had to prepare himself, not only for the academy's conflicts but also for the challenges hidden in every corner of Aether's ancient lands.