The classroom buzzed with excitement as students whispered among themselves.
"Did you hear? Principal Eldra herself is giving a lecture today!" one boy said, leaning over his desk to talk to his friend.
"Of course I heard, apparently it is not rare for principal to do that." his friend replied, eyes wide with admiration. "She's incredible! She became a Warden in her 40s, and that's unheard of. Most Wardens don't even get close to that rank until their late 60s."
"Not to mention," chimed in another student, a girl with glasses, "she's a member of the Allied Nations Council. That's the same rank as the leaders of entire nations! It's insane how much influence she has."
"Yeah, yeah," interrupted a male student from the back with a smirk. "But let's talk about the real achievement here—we need to talk about that otherworldly beauty of hers that no woman in this academy can match. Long green hair, piercing green eyes, and a body that could make goddess of fertility jealous. Dynamite, man."
Several boys chuckled, nodding in agreement.
The girls in the room, however, groaned in disgust.
"Ugh, boys are so predictable," one girl muttered, crossing her arms.
"Is that all you can think about?" another snapped. "She's a genius, a diplomat, and a military leader, and you're stuck on her looks? Pathetic."
Meanwhile, at the back of the classroom, Dilhan was fast asleep, his head resting on his folded arms. His soft breathing went unnoticed by most, except for Cali, who sat beside him. She gazed at his face, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
Mesuna's words are still in my head, Cali thought, her fingers lightly drumming on her desk. Support him. Help him become the man he's meant to be. But… do I even love him?
She glanced at him again, her cheeks flushing slightly. He's kind in his own way… and he's trying so hard, even if no one else sees it. She sighed inwardly. I guess I need to figure out how I really feel.
Before she could think further, the classroom door opened, and a wave of silence swept through the room.
Principal Eldra entered, and the very air seemed to shift. Her long green hair flowed behind her like a waterfall, and her sharp eyes swept across the classroom with calm authority. She carried herself with an elegance that made her seem untouchable, yet there was a warmth in her demeanor that drew everyone's admiration.
The students stood up immediately, as if on instinct, bowing slightly.
"Good morning, Principal Eldra!" they greeted in unison.
"Good morning," Eldra replied, her voice smooth and commanding. She walked to the front of the room, setting down a stack of books and maps on the desk. Her movements were precise and effortless, each step exuding confidence.
As she glanced around the room, her gaze lingered on each student. To everyone's shock, she began addressing them by name.
"Amara Darlen," she said, pointing to a girl in the front row. "Your grades in geography have improved, but you need to work on your public speaking."
"Marcus Glint," she continued, looking at a boy near the middle. "Still skipping combat practice, I see. We'll talk about that later."
One by one, she called out names and commented on their progress, leaving the students in awe.
"How does she know so much about us?" whispered one student.
"She's the principal," another replied, equally stunned. "She probably knows everything. I heard from a senior that she is the most dangerous thing about this academy."
Finally, her eyes fell on Dilhan, still sleeping peacefully at the back of the room. The class collectively held its breath.
"Uh-oh," someone whispered.
"He's done for," another muttered.
Even Cali couldn't hide her fear. Her hands clutched the edge of her desk, and she shot a worried glance at Dilhan.
Eldra walked toward him slowly, her heels clicking softly against the floor. She stopped beside his desk, looking down at him with an unreadable expression. The room was so silent that everyone could hear their own heartbeats.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Eldra reached out and placed a gentle hand on Dilhan's head. Her eyes softened, and she seemed to study him for a moment.
"Out of mana," she murmured quietly, almost to herself.
Without another word, she turned and walked back to the front of the room, leaving the class stunned.
"Wait… that's it?" one boy whispered.
"She didn't punish him?" another said, dumbfounded.
Eldra addressed the class again, her voice light and teasing. "For those of you wondering why I didn't wake him, let me remind you—sleep is essential for recovery, especially for someone who has clearly overexerted themselves. But I advice you don't overexert yourself like that."
The students chuckled nervously, some shaking their heads in disbelief.
"Him? Overexerting himself? Haha, I guess Principal knows how to make funny jokes,"
"That's hilarious,"
Everyone started to talk among themselves, but Eldra knew she had to continue with the class.
"Now," Eldra continued, her tone shifting to one of authority. "Let's begin our lecture. Today, we'll be discussing the geography and relationships of the nations that make up Oceros."
She unfurled a large map on the board behind her, the intricate details of the continent mesmerizing the students.
"First, let's start with the Gathuluk Empire, west to Thimoria bordering Kingdom of Ziglait." she said, pointing to a mountainous region. "Home to the giants. Their size and strength are unmatched, but their society is surprisingly sophisticated, with a deep respect for tradition and law."
"Principal Eldra," one student raised their hand. "Is it true that the giants rarely interact with other nations?"
"Not entirely," Eldra replied. "They maintain trade relationships with the Tugukhur Union and even some human and demonic nations," she pointed to a neighboring region, "the dwarves, who provide them with fine-crafted tools in exchange for raw materials."
"But demons!" One of the student made a remark that Eldra couldn't help but elaborate on. "I get it. You have been told to hate demons since you were young, but that doesn't mean others should have the same hate toward them. Sure, allied nations have been in war with them for several decades, but..."
Eldra paused, as she knew what she was about to say was controversial. "This might come as a surprise to you, but not all demons are bad. They are just like us. They have families and their own land. That's why the fight just like us. What I want to say is that they are not the absolute evil,"
She moved her pointer to a vast region west to Gathuluk. "Here we have the Sanguine Demonic Empire. This is home to demons and beastfolk. Their society is hierarchical, with a strong emphasis on military power. Their ruler, the Demon Emperor, is both feared and respected by their allies and enemies alike."
As she continued, the students hung on her every word.
"The Principality of Crekork is a predominantly human nation, known for its agricultural exports and trade. They are one of the allied nations that support Thimoria and wish to hold the alliance together."
In contrast, the Kingdom of Zigalt carry out a practice of human supremacy, often clashing ideologically with its neighbors. They are not in war with allied nations but, they are not our friends either."
"The Most Serene Republic of Sealia is where the elves reside," she said, pointing to a lush, forested area. "A land of beauty and wisdom, their focus on preservation often puts them at odds with industrialized nations. Sealia is another nation that support allied nations."
"And then we have the Thearchy of Kopastadia," she added, highlightig a southern region bordering the sea. "A harmonious blend of humans, elves, and dwarves, their unity makes them a political powerhouse and they support Thimoria too."
All the students from Flurdir theocracy waited to hear about their country and just as they expected, Eldra explained to the students about how it is a religious human nation that supported the idea of co-existence between all the races except demons.
"Finally, there's Thimoria," she said, smiling slightly. "Your second home. It's one of the few regions where humans, elves, and dwarves coexist peacefully. The academy itself is a testament to this harmony."
The students nodded, scribbling notes furiously.
Eldra paused, looking around the room. "Any questions so far?"
A boy near the front raised his hand. "Principal Eldra, why does the Shiford Duchy prefer isolation?"
"Excellent question," Eldra replied. "The vampires of Shiford are self-sufficient and value their privacy. Their long lifespans make them wary of rapid changes in the outside world. Also some people consider vampires to be something in middle of demons and humans, so they prefer to stay out of anything to do with humans and demons."
Her answers were concise yet detailed, keeping everyone engaged.
By the time the lecture ended, the students were buzzing with new knowledge. As Eldra packed up her materials, she glanced at the class with a satisfied smile.
"Remember," she said, "understanding the world isn't just about knowing geography. It's about understanding the relationships and histories that shape it."