The next day, sunlight already illuminated the halls of the academy when Luther stepped out of his room, still groggy but determined to face a new day of classes. As he moved through the bustling corridors filled with students, a familiar voice called out his name.
"Luther!" Elise exclaimed, catching up to him with light steps and a bright morning smile. Beside her, Borik wore his usual jovial expression, and Naomi followed with her enigmatic gaze.
"Ready for another day?" Borik joked, adjusting the cape of his uniform.
Elise nodded, falling into step beside Luther. "We have history today, if I remember correctly. I think we're in the same class," she said, her tone reflecting a mix of curiosity and calm.
Naomi, walking at her own pace, rolled her eyes with a faint smirk. "I hope it's not boring. Though, given the professor's reputation, I doubt it'll be an easy ride."
"Who do we have?" Luther asked.
"Lyanna. I heard she's pretty strict," Elise said, recalling what she'd been told the day before.
As they made their way through the corridors, the group arrived at the classroom assigned for history. It was a spacious room, with rows of desks arranged in neat lines facing a raised platform. At the center, behind a dark wooden desk, stood a hunched woman with gray hair tied in a low bun. Despite her age, her eyes gleamed with an unusual intensity.
"Take your seats," the woman ordered as they entered. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an authority that left no room for argument.
A pair of students at the back continued whispering. Without hesitation, the professor pointed directly at them, her frown deepening.
"Silence!" she snapped, and the response was immediate—the students fell quiet, straightening in their seats.
Luther, Elise, Borik, and Naomi settled in together, exchanging glances. It was clear that this professor tolerated no interruptions.
"My name is Lyanna Eldriss," the woman introduced herself, her voice resonating firmly. "I've taught this subject more times than I can remember, and I assure you I have no patience for distractions. If you've come to this academy, it's because you have a purpose, and to fulfill it, you need to understand the history of the world you now inhabit."
The murmurs in the room ceased entirely. All attention was on the elderly woman as she paced slowly in front of the desk, her hands clasped behind her back.
"Today, you will learn about the origins of Aether, the planet that is now your home, and the races that inhabit it. Pay close attention, for understanding this world's past will help you grasp its present and your role in shaping its future."
An expectant silence filled the classroom. Some students leaned forward slightly to catch every word. Elise folded her hands on the desk, Luther leaned forward in his seat, and Borik rested an elbow on the table with genuine interest. Naomi, her eyes half-closed, seemed to assess every gesture of the professor.
"Aether is an ancient planet," Lyanna continued, her gaze sweeping over the rows of students, "a world built on secrets and legends. According to the oldest records and beliefs, everything began with a supreme being we call the King God."
At that moment, a hand timidly rose from the second row. A dark-haired student dared to ask a question. "Who was the King God?"
The professor nodded approvingly, as though she had been expecting the question. "An excellent question. The King God was a being of immeasurable power, the first and last of his kind. In ancient texts, he is depicted as an Ethelian, but with a divine aura capable of shaping reality at his will."
A murmur of astonishment rippled through the room.
"But, like all things, the reign of the King God was not eternal," Lyanna continued. "One day, he vanished without a trace. And with him, the balance of Aether disappeared."
A subtle chill seemed to run through the students at this declaration. It was as if, by uttering those words, the professor had opened a door to a turbulent past.
"Shortly after his disappearance," she went on, her tone growing graver, "Aether witnessed an event that would forever change its history: the appearance of a gigantic monster known as T'harak. This cosmic beast emerged near the planet, devouring other worlds and constantly spawning monstrous offspring that threatened everything in their path."
At this point, some students held their breath, and even Luther felt a slight knot in his stomach as he imagined such a creature.
"To some, T'harak is seen as a menace to be destroyed. To others, its appearance is a test left by the King God—a cosmic challenge to measure the worth of races and individuals. They view T'harak as an extension of the divine will, a pet of the ancient sovereign whose presence pushes us to prove our true value."
"Over the centuries," Lyanna continued, "the races of Aether evolved in response to mana and external threats. The primary races you see here are humanoid, each with unique traits. On this planet, races were summoned in hundred-year cycles to ensure Aether's survival and diversity."
Professor Lyanna paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink into the minds of her students. Some, including Elise, Luther, Borik, and Naomi, kept their eyes fixed on her, absorbing every fragment of information. Others whispered softly, trying to comprehend the implications of such a complex historical narrative.
"Now, it's important to clarify something else," Lyanna continued, clasping her hands behind her back in a more reflective stance. "Throughout the ages, the summoning of races to this world has been a constant, repeating every hundred years. However," she paused, observing their reactions, "five hundred years ago, this sequence was disrupted. For reasons still unknown, the summoning of Ethelians and many other races ceased. Only weeks ago, under a prophecy from the princess, it resumed with the arrival of you."
A ripple of surprise spread through the classroom. Luther and Elise exchanged glances, impressed. Borik furrowed his brow, intrigued, while Naomi narrowed her eyes, weighing the implications.
"It is a mystery yet unsolved," Lyanna continued. "No one knows why the summoning stopped or why it has resumed now. What has been observed is that some races have gone over a millennium without receiving new summons. Before the interruption, there were times when the summonings became more frequent and intense. During these periods, beings arrived in this world wounded, exhausted, and claiming that devastating wars raged in their home planets."
The mention of wars in other worlds created a tense silence. The students realized that they, too, were part of this uncertain cycle, brought from other realities for a greater test—or perhaps to escape an unyielding and remote conflict.
"Over time," the professor continued, tilting her head slightly, "some races accepted that their home planets might have fallen into ruin. With no possibility of return, they focused on starting anew here in Aether."
Elise gently squeezed Luther's forearm, sharing her blend of bewilderment and resolve with him. Borik let out a soft sigh, processing the weight of what he'd heard. Naomi remained silent, her sharp gaze observing both the professor and her classmates, assessing every nuance of the newly revealed information.
"This academy exists, in part, to prepare you for the unknown," Lyanna concluded. "Your lessons won't just be exercises in magic or history. Those who understand the vastness of the universe, the forces that shape it, and the role of summonings will be better equipped to survive, thrive, and perhaps change the course of this story."