As the students filed into Genvah's Botanical Garden for their first class, Aiden couldn't help but be taken aback by the sight before him.
The garden itself was a sprawling oasis of flora, filled with flowers and plants that looked like nothing from Earth.
The air smelled faintly of fresh flowers and damp soil, a soothing combination that immediately captivated the first-year students. Everyone whispered excitedly, craning their necks to see their new professor.
When Professor Ylang-Ylang finally appeared, a collective gasp rippled through the room.
She was a vision of delicate charm, her petite figure almost hidden behind the folds of her fairy-like dress, a blend of white and green fabric that shimmered like morning dew against the sun. Her blonde hair was impossibly long, pooling behind her in a cascade that trailed across the floor like a golden waterfall.
The students watched in amazement as three tiny fairy-like creatures with glowing wings, Divatas as what Sevan whispered to Aiden is, circled her head, their soft giggles and chiming laughter adding an ethereal air to her presence.
Standing no taller than a young child, Professor Ylang-Ylang made her way to the front of the class, her small stature requiring her to climb onto a small stool. The students watched in silence, completely enchanted. Once she was perched securely, she turned to face them, her golden eyes sparkling like sunlight on water.
"Good morning, dear students," she said, her voice gentle. "I am Professor Ylang-Ylang, and I will be guiding you through the wonders of Mystical Botany. Before we begin, I must ask something very important of you."
She raised a stick (Yes, a stick) that glimmered faintly, tapping it once on the edge of her desk. The sound was crisp, like a drop of rain hitting a leaf, and the students immediately sat up straighter.
"You must not, under any circumstances, touch me," she continued, her expression soft. "My magical aura is… well, quite potent. A mere brush of my hand could cause unexpected effects. You could sprout leaves, flowers, or, heavens forbid, roots. And while I would find that delightful, I'm not sure you would."
The class chuckled nervously. Aiden felt his throat feel rather dry.
"To prevent such incidents," Professor Ylang-Ylang said, twirling her stick gracefully, "I will be using this little friend to interact with you. Think of it as a bridge between us."
She leaned forward, tapping one of the students' desks gently with her own finger, and a small sprout immediately burst forth from the wood.
The students gasped, and the large boy with dyed bkue-green hair sitting at the desk nearly fell out of his chair.
"Don't worry, it's harmless," she said with a sweet smile, tilting her head. "I promise you won't leave my class as a garden… unless you fail to listen, of course."
Professor Ylang-Ylang gestured toward a row of pots lined neatly on the windowsill. "Now, let's begin with something simple. Each of you will choose a seed from the basket and plant it in your pot. Then, we will awaken the seed's magic together. This exercise will teach you not only patience but the importance of nurturing life."
As the students eagerly approached the basket, she stepped down from her stool and glided between the rows, her hair trailing behind her like a shimmering veil. The Divatas danced around her, occasionally sprinkling a faint dusting of golden light on the students' pots.
Aiden, who had been skeptical about the class at first, found himself completely absorbed in the professor's presence.
Her movements were so elegant it was as if she were part of the plants themselves. Even Adrian, who was typically the last person to take anything seriously, seemed entranced, though Aiden caught him muttering something about how she looked like she belonged in a fairy tale.
Which is ironic, since everything felt like a fairy tale for Aiden.
When everyone had chosen their seeds and returned to their seats, Professor Ylang-Ylang climbed back onto her stool. She raised her stick once more, this time drawing an intricate pattern in the air. A soft, green glow spread across the room, and the students felt a gentle warmth settle over them.
"Now," she said, her voice almost a whisper, "place your hands over your pots, but do not touch the soil. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Focus on the seed's energy. Feel its potential, its desire to grow."
The room fell silent as the students followed her instructions. For a moment, the only sounds were the faint rustle of leaves and the chiming laughter of the Divatas. Then, one by one, the seeds began to sprout. Tiny green shoots pushed through the soil, unfurling delicate leaves that shimmered with magical light.
The students gasped in awe, some of them leaning closer to admire their work. Professor Ylang-Ylang beamed, clasping her hands together.
"Beautiful!" she exclaimed. "Each of these little sprouts is unique, just like you. And with care, they will grow into something extraordinary. Remember, dear students, the magic of botany is not just about creation- it's about connection."
As the lesson continued, the students found themselves falling even more under her spell.
Her explanations were clear and passionate, her enthusiasm infectious. When someone made a mistake, she corrected them gently, using her stick to guide their hands without touching them directly.
By the end of the class, the students were completely smitten. As they filed out of the room, they couldn't stop talking about Professor Ylang-Ylang- the way she moved, the sound of her voice, the Divatas that seemed to reflect her every mood.
Even Adrian, who usually had a sarcastic comment for everything, admitted that she was "pretty cool and punk rock," a compliment he usually gives to his favorites.
"She..." Adrian muttered towards the two. "Looks younger than us. And yet she's probably a hundred years old!"
Aiden glanced back at the classroom as they walked down the corridor, catching a final glimpse of the professor as she tended to the remaining plants, before hurrying to Adrian.