The grand hall of Thimoria Academy was alive with activity as students and faculty alike gathered for the monthly assembly, an event that brought together the academy's elite: warlocks, elementalists, skilled craftsmen, and master scholars from across Oceros. The diverse crowd represented the various cultures and kingdoms that supported Thimoria, each faction wearing their distinct uniforms, symbols, and expressions of pride.
As everyone settled, quiet murmurs filled the hall. Dwarven smiths muttered about recent advancements in metal enchantments, while a group of elven elementalist huddled near the columns, their voices soft but full of animated discussion on recent findings about elemental magic. Human warlocks dressed in dark cloaks whispered, their gazes flickering now and then toward the podium, waiting for the principal's address.
The knights, elven master archers and dwarven warriors were also present in this assembly signifying it was not just mages and warlocks that participated in this.
Finally, Principal Eldra stepped forward, her presence commanding immediate silence. Dressed in deep purple robes embroidered with silver runes decorating her green hair, she scanned the room with piercing eyes, a faint smile on her lips as she raised her hand to silence the last whispers.
"Welcome, everyone, to this month's most prestigious Thimoria assembly," she began, her voice resonant and clear. "Today, we gather not only as members of Thimoria Academy but as allies from different lands and races, united in the pursuit of knowledge, peace, and a brighter future."
She straightened, her gaze sweeping across the gathered crowd. "Thimoria is a unique place in Oceros, unlike any other institution in our world. We are not here to favor any nation over another, nor do we owe allegiance to a single ruler. This district, this academy, stands as a testament to our shared vision of peace and collaboration. As a warden that has no bias to a single nation or country, I am proud to stand as one of the main leader of this alliance despite the hardships and amount of work it brings me."
A wave of pride moved through the audience, a sense of shared purpose resonating in the hall. Eldra continued, naming the allied nations one by one, mentioning their contributions and commending each for their commitment to Thimoria's mission.
"The humans of Crekork and Fludir bring us powerful warlocks, mages, knights and skilled tacticians," she declared, nodding toward a cluster of human students and professors who responded with a ripple of applause. "From the Sealia, our elven allies have gifted us unparalleled elementalists and master archers, each capable of harmonizing with the very forces of nature." The elves inclined their heads in acknowledgment.
"And from the mountains of Tugukhur, the dwarven smiths have blessed us with their crafts, fortifying our academy with weapons and armor that bear the strength of their lineage and of course, we can't forget about mugbeer when it comes to our dwaren allies.." She said while pointing at the dwarves.
As she spoke, the crowd visibly unified, their differences forgotten in light of the academy's shared mission.
Principal Eldra's expression grew more serious, and her voice lowered as she addressed the next topic. "But today, we face a matter of grave concern. The blight—its reach has been growing. Reports from across Oceros suggest that if left unchecked, it will soon threaten our homes, our families, and everything we have built here in Thimoria even more than it already does."
The hall buzzed with murmurs of worry. Eldra held up her hand, calling for silence once more.
"As a united front of allied nations," she continued, "we have an obligation not just to protect Thimoria and our students but to act as the first line of defense for all of Oceros. This will require collaboration from each allied nation. It will require sacrifice and courage from each of you." She looked around the room, meeting the eyes of students and faculty alike. "And I trust each of you to rise to the occasion."
Several people in the room began to speak at once, offering ideas and strategies. A dwarven smith suggested using enchanted barriers to quarantine infected areas. An elven healer proposed increasing the production of their potions and herbal remedies to prepare for a possible outbreak. Human warlocks debated strategies for large-scale purification rituals, which was indirect term for massacre.
Eldra listened thoughtfully, nodding as each suggestion was shared. Finally, she raised her hand to bring the discussion back to order. "These are all valuable insights," she said. "In the coming weeks, we will hold a council meeting, inviting leaders from each allied nation to decide our next steps. I sincerely hope that we can act before the plague spreads further. Until then, I trust each of you to prepare and remain vigilant."
A hush fell over the room as Eldra's words sank in. The assembly seemed to reach a natural end, but then a slender elven woman with a dignified air stepped forward. She was a teacher, her green robes marked with symbols of wind and earth. She cleared her throat delicately.
"Principal Eldra," the elf began, her voice measured, "if I may… there is another issue that has been troubling the academy." She paused, her gaze flickering to the other staff members before returning to Eldra. "It's about… the streamer."
At the mention of the word "streamer," a strange ripple of emotion moved through the hall. Several of the students looked intrigued, while some faculty members exchanged uneasy glances. Eldra herself stiffened, her hands folding tighter on the podium as her gaze shifted momentarily to the floor.
The elf continued, her tone slightly sharper. "This 'ZeroVeil' has been broadcasting rather frequently now, and he seems to be amassing quite the following among students and locals alike. His influence is spreading across Thimoria—noble, common, it matters not. With all due respect, Principal Eldra, this streamer is becoming something of a… well, a celebrity."
Eldra was silent for a long moment. Her usually composed expression wavered slightly, and she seemed uncharacteristically hesitant as she cleared her throat, glancing out the window before regaining her composure.
"A-ah, yes, the streamer…" she said, a cough masking her hesitation. "Thank you, Professor Althira, for bringing this to our attention. As you mentioned, this ZeroVeil has yet to cause any direct harm. He seems to be, at worst, an oddity—a distraction to some. And as we have more pressing matters, like the plague, I believe it would be best to... leave him be for the time being."
The elf narrowed her eyes. "Leave him be? Principal, he is a disruptive influence. We cannot ignore that he has begun to draw the attention of even the faculty and noble families."
At that, a murmur of agreement and dissent broke out among the audience. Those closest to the podium could see that Eldra's fingers had tightened around it, her knuckles turning white.
"The people enjoy his presence," Eldra said, her voice carrying a slightly sharper edge. "Many look forward to his broadcasts and find comfort in his… unconventional form of communication. If we were to silence him entirely, we might face backlash—an unfortunate side effect given our current priorities with the plague. I suggest we monitor him, but let's not act hastily."
From somewhere near the back, a bold student raised her hand. "He makes a lot of us feel seen!" she exclaimed, a note of defiance in her voice. "I mean… he's different, sure, but he doesn't seem dangerous."
Eldra's expression softened slightly, and she nodded. "Precisely. For now, as long as ZeroVeil remains harmless, I would not advise taking drastic action. This academy should be a place where people can explore their interests safely, after all."
An uneasy silence followed as the crowd processed her words. Althira looked around, realizing with faint surprise that many of the students—and even some of her fellow faculty—seemed to hold the streamer in high regard.
Eldra seized the pause to close the discussion. "I understand that some of you have concerns, and I assure you that we will address any issues if they arise. But we have bigger threats at hand, and I expect all of you to keep your focus where it belongs."
There was a subtle but noticeable shift in the room; more than half of those present seemed to relax, the hint of worry replaced with faint, almost relieved smiles. The support for ZeroVeil was tangible—whether out of genuine admiration or simple curiosity, it was clear that his broadcasts had sparked something in the hearts of many at Thimoria.
Maybe it was curiosity or maybe something more.
With a final glance around the hall, Eldra nodded, her voice taking on a tone of finality. "Thank you all for attending. I trust you will continue to uphold the values of this academy in your studies and conduct. Dismissed."
As the crowd dispersed, Eldra's expression returned to one of collected calm, but her hand lingered on the edge of the podium. She watched her students file out, each group a vivid tapestry of races, skills, and ideals—united, if only for now, by an unseen figure called ZeroVeil.