For first-year students, the academic load was a blend of the mystical and the mundane. Their schedule included Mythaion Language, Astronomy, Herbology, History of Mythaion, and Fundamentals of Magic. Additionally, they were required to master mandatory subjects from the Ordinary World: Mathematics, Science, Physics, and Chemistry. The more advanced courses were reserved for their second and third years.
Master Aric Valandor's language class was a sanctuary of peace. It quickly became Jack's absolute favorite, though Kai found it to be the most boring hour of his life. Simon sat somewhere in the middle, finding a quiet rhythm in the flowing script.
Then there was Master Velen Iris, who taught Astronomy. In Mythaion, the stars were more than just distant lights; they were the voices of the Gods. Students learned that during moments of great importance, the Gods would send guidance through the constellations. Furthermore, the stars served as an indispensable tool for navigation and discovery. Master Iris was an energetic woman with thick spectacles and a long, navy-blue gown. Her most striking feature was the telescope she kept strapped to her belt at all times. She had a booming voice and a vibrant spirit, but woe to the student who didn't pay attention—she was known to erupt in shouts. Kai had already been at the receiving end of her temper three times.
Master Vina Kit handled Herbology, the study of roots and plants. She was a petite, elderly woman with snow-white hair who moved with a slow, measured pace. In her first lesson, she taught them the crucial skill of distinguishing poisonous leaves from harmless ones. Like Master Valandor, she possessed an endless well of patience.
The first day had been a whirlwind of those three subjects. Now, on their second day, three new challenges awaited: Ordinary World Subjects, Magic Theory, and the History of Mythaion.
According to the intel Kai had gathered from the seniors, Master Bill Hart taught History, and his lectures were notoriously dull—so much so that some students drifted into a deep sleep within minutes. Master Nort Ermik was in charge of Magic, teaching from the first through the third year. While Master Ermik was teaching first three years, the Headmistress herself took over the magical training from the fourth year until graduation. Finally, the four mandatory Ordinary World subjects were all taught by a single man: Master Sylvan Marrick. He wasn't just versatile; he was whispered to be a terrifying disciplinarian.
Their first period of the day was History with Master Hart. Since this class was shared with students from the Malthen and Tavian Chambers, Simon didn't cross paths with Henry from Daven. Simon had carefully tucked away Henry's fountain pen, too precious to be used for ordinary notes. Fortunately, he had found his "lost" quill back in the dorm—it had been lying there all along, unnoticed. Thus, the elegant pen remained safely untouched in his bag.
The classroom featured long benches capable of seating at least seven students. Simon and Kai took a spot in the very back row. Jack and Oliver, ever the studious ones, sat in the front, while Finn and Toad joined Simon and Kai at the back. As the room filled, a student from Tavian sat down next to Simon. It was the same boy who had smiled at him warmly during the sorting ceremony. When their eyes met, he offered another friendly smile, and Simon returned it shyly, though they remained in silence.
Soon after, Master Hart entered. He was a tall, lean man who eschewed the traditional robes worn by teachers like Master Valandor. Instead, he dressed much like a teacher from the Ordinary World, wearing a simple sweater and trousers.
"Alright, everyone. Let's do the roll call," he announced, opening his ledger.
After finishing the names for Malthen, he moved on to Tavian.
"Micheal Roundor."
"Present," the boy sitting next to Simon replied. Finally, he reached the students of Fynric.
"Oliver Locktack."
"Present."
"Conner Wulian."
"Present."
One by one, then
"Jack Thistledown."
"Present."
"Kai Peterson."
"Here, sir!"
"Simon Blackburn."
Master Hart, who hadn't looked up from his ledger until that moment, called the name and immediately fixed his gaze on Simon. The entire classroom followed suit, a dozen pairs of eyes turning toward him at once. Under the crushing weight of their collective stare, Simon wanted nothing more than to hang his head, but he steeled his resolve and answered in a small, quiet voice.
"Present, sir..."
Master Hart stared at Simon for a few moments longer before snapping his ledger shut to begin the lesson. The students opened their massive, heavy history textbooks as Master Hart started his lecture. It was exactly as the seniors had warned: incredibly dull. It was even more tedious than Master Valandor's language class. Kai's eyes were already half-closed, Master Hart's monotonous voice acting like a lullaby pulling him toward sleep. While nearly the entire class struggled to stay awake, Jack remained the sole exception, listening with intense concentration.
After a long-winded explanation of the first chapter regarding the Ancient Gods, Susan Longtheia, a girl from Simon's own Chamber, raised her hand.
"Sir, may I ask a question?"
Susan wore her waist-length black hair in a single, neat braid. She looked composed and appeared to be a person of few words, yet her intellect shone through.
"Go ahead," Master Hart replied.
"Well, in my own research regarding the inhabitants of Mythaion, I found that humans are arguably the weakest among all beings here. Why, then, did the Gods choose such fragile humans to be the 'Chosens' and entrust them with the protection of Mythaion?"
Master Hart adjusted his spectacles, his gaze lingering on Susan as a heavy silence filled the room. This was no ordinary history question; it struck at the very core of their purpose in this world.
"Well, that is an excellent question. Indeed, why would the Gods choose humans? They lack the wands and incantations of sorcerers; they do not possess the immortality and ancient wisdom of the Elves; they aren't built with the rugged strength of Dwarves who thrive within the mountains; and they certainly aren't born as the formidable, battle-hardened warriors known as Orcs. Why, then, would the Gods bestow such a title upon humans—beings who seem to lack any inherent advantage? The answer is simple: it is precisely because we are human."
The students exchanged bewildered glances, the explanation leaving them more confused than before.
"What exactly does that mean, Sir?" Jack interjected, his brows furrowed in confusion. Even Kai, who had been struggling to keep his eyes open, was now fully alert, leaning forward in his seat.
Master Hart leaned back into his chair, adjusting his spectacles as his gaze swept across the room.
"Think about it," he began, his voice dropping an octave. "Humans are the only beings capable of surviving both in Mythaion and in the Ordinary World outside. We weren't born with innate magical powers like sorcerers. Yet..." He paused,"we have built the Ordinary World into something magnificent."
A heavy silence fell over the classroom. Simon found himself gripping his quill a little tighter.
"We don't live as long as Elves," Master Hart continued. "But within our brief lifespans, we fight and live with a ferocity they can never match. Without ever touching magic, humans created machines and weapons powerful enough to bring Mythaion itself to its knees. The Gods saw that potential."
The Master placed both hands firmly on his desk, his expression turning solemn.
"Humans are the weakest of creatures, yet simultaneously the strongest. We are the ones capable of destroying Mythaion, but also the ones who can save it. That is why the Gods chose us. Because we are... simply human."
The entire classroom fell into a profound silence.
"And look at us now,"
Master Hart continued, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet hall.
"The moment the Gods shared their essence with humans, we became the guardians—the ones capable of maintaining the very balance of Mythaion. It is because of this potential that legendary Chosens like Kaelen and Malthen rose to greatness."
He paused, letting the weight of those names sink in before driving his point home.
"This further clarifies why the Gods chose humanity. Humans are capable of achieving the highest peaks of goodness... but they are equally capable of committing the absolute darkest of deeds."
As those final words left his lips, Master Hart's gaze drifted toward Simon, lingering there for a long, heavy moment before slowly pulling away.
A heavy, contemplative silence settled over the students. Susan looked satisfied to have finally received an answer to her question, yet she appeared to be sinking deep into her own thoughts. Meanwhile, Oliver and the other Old-Bloods felt a surge of pride. To them, Master Hart's words were a testament to their inherent superiority, and they sat a little taller, basking in the glory of their lineage.
Breaking the thoughtful silence, Toad chimed in with a mischievous grin.
"Also, Sir, I think it's because humans just... pop up faster than other beings. There are so many of us that we never really run out. If one of us goes down, there's always someone else ready to take their place!"
The class stifled their snickers at his bluntness. Kai found the logic hilarious, while Jack merely sighed, rubbing his temples at Toad's lack of elegance.
Master Hart chuckled, seemingly unfazed.
"Indeed. Other beings in Mythaion simply cannot match the sheer numbers of humanity. After all, humans have an entire Ordinary World to fill..."
Everyone nodded in agreement. It was true. You wouldn't find Elves or Dwarves around every corner of Mythaion, but humans were omnipresent in the Ordinary World—they were everywhere. Even here in Mythaion, humans had become the dominant presence.
"So, in another fifty years or so, Mythaion will basically be a human world. Cool, huh?" Kai said, leaning back with a grin. "If you ever get bored of traveling in the Ordinary World, you can just hop over to Mythaion!"
A few students snickered in agreement, and Toad shared a high-five with Kai. Oliver, who already had little patience for Kai's antics, didn't hide his disdain, shooting him a sharp, annoyed glare. In the front row, Jack simply rolled his eyes and let out a long, weary sigh at Kai's simplistic view of the world.
"That's one way to look at it," Master Hart interjected, pulling their attention back.
"Thousands of years ago, humans were a mere minority in Mythaion. But today, you can find the human descendants of the Chosens across every corner of this realm. While some races don't mind the shift, others see it as a direct threat. They fear that eventually, humans will seize control of all Mythaion. That is exactly why the Great Federation of Chosens is constantly engaged in delicate diplomacy. One day, you all will be the ones stepping into those very roles..."
The room fell into a thoughtful hush. The weight of the Master's words pressed down on them, and Simon felt it most of all. One day, they were expected to be the shields of Mythaion. But could someone like him—the son of a man who nearly brought this world to ruin truly be a protector? The doubt gnawed at him.
In contrast, Jack sat tall, his resolve to guard Mythaion burning bright in his grey eyes. But Kai, who had grown up in the carefree Ordinary World, didn't find the prospect of such a heavy burden appealing at all.
"Sir... what if we don't actually want to be protectors?" Kai asked, scratching his head.
"I mean, can we just learn magic here and then go back to the Ordinary World to become pro soccer players instead?"
The entire class turned to see Master Hart's reaction. Oliver muttered under his breath, "Typical New-Bloods. No sense of loyalty at all."
Master Hart looked at Kai, a patient smile on his face.
"The Gods give you the freedom to choose your own path. If you want to return to the Ordinary World and live a normal life, you are more than welcome to do so. However..." He paused, his expression turning serious. "...should Mythaion ever face a true crisis, you will be called upon to act. That is the very reason the Gods shared their power with you in the first place."
Kai nodded slowly, processing the Master's words. But then, Oliver turned around from the front row, a look of pure disdain on his face.
"Do you have any idea how ungrateful you sound?" Oliver said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You should be honored that the Gods chose you. Instead, you want to take their divine gift and waste it in the Ordinary World? Hmph... don't you feel even a shred of gratitude?"
Oliver's remark hit a nerve. Kai's temper flared instantly. Jack's eyes darted between the two, while Simon sat frozen beside Kai, terrified that his friend was about to blow up right in front of Master Hart.
"What do I have to be grateful for?" Kai snapped back, leaning forward.
"I never asked the Gods to pick me. They did that on their own. So why on earth should I be forced to do their dirty work?"
A collective gasp echoed from the Old-Bloods in the room. Oliver stared at him, mouth agape in utter shock.
"You...! Did you just insult the Gods?"
"I'm just speaking the truth. Don't get all sensitive on me, Frenchie."
"Why you—!" Oliver was shaking with rage. He had lost the war of words to Kai yet again. Just as he was about to bark back, Master Hart intervened.
"Hey! That's enough! This is a classroom, not a wrestling ring! Everyone, sit back down. We are resuming the lesson. And Mr. Peterson, mind your tongue. Mr. Locktack, stop instigating trouble."
Both of them fell silent, but the icy glare they exchanged suggested this was far from over.
From the front row, Jack glanced back at Kai for a lingering moment before finally turning his attention back to the front of the class.
Simon watched in silence as Kai sat there, seething with anger, his breathing heavy and ragged. Finally, Kai muttered through gritted teeth.
"That Frenchie is practically begging for a taste of my fist."
"Just take it easy, Kai," Simon said softly, trying to calm him down. Finn nodded in silent agreement, while Toad gave Kai's shoulder a supportive squeeze.
"Don't let him get to you," Toad added. "He's not even worth your time."
From the front row, Jack glanced back at Kai for a lingering moment before finally turning his attention back to the front of the class.
As the class dismissed, the students greeted Master Hart before preparing to leave. Jack packed his books away and marched toward the back row where Simon and Kai were standing.
He stopped right in front of Kai, his expression stern. "Do you have any idea how dangerous your words were back there?"
Kai looked up, then stood to face him with a deep frown. Kai was slightly shorter than Jack, while Simon was the shortest of the three. Among them, Jack stood tallest and most imposing.
"What do you mean?" Kai snapped.
"You know exactly what I mean. Saying something like that out loud was a hundred percent brainless."
Kai's temper flared again. "Huh? What, are you on that Frenchie's side now?"
"Yes, I am," Jack replied, staring Kai down without blinking. "Because your attitude is completely out of line. Kai, you need to understand—Old-Bloods revere Gods more than anything. Even those born into Chosen lineages who weren't selected accept it as divine will."
Jack paused, glancing at the departing students from Malthen and Tavian before lowering his voice.
"For a New-Blood like you to say what you did... it's like popping a balloon with a needle. We have students from Malthen and Tavian here today, and your words have already reached their ears. This is going to cause a massive problem."
Jack poked Kai's shoulder for emphasis.
"They'll use this to claim that New-Bloods have no respect for the Gods, and they'll come for all of you. Your brainless comment has consequences that reach far beyond this classroom. Try to realize that."
Kai wanted to argue, but he found himself lacking a solid comeback. Still, his pride wouldn't let him back down easily.
"I don't care, okay? I'm the guy who took on five people at once back in elementary school. I can knock these Old-Bloods out without breaking a sweat."
Jack shot him one last scowl of pure frustration. "You are honestly impossible." With that, he turned on his heel and marched away.
Kai shrugged, turning to Simon. "See? He knew he couldn't win the argument, so he resorted to insulting me. Anyway, do you agree with what he said?"
Simon bit his lip, feeling caught in the crossfire. "I agree with Jack... but I also agree with you."
"Ugh! Don't be a fence-sitter!"
"The middle is the fairest place to be," Simon replied calmly.
Kai pouted, throwing a dramatic side-eye at Simon. "You know what? I'm not lending you Bleach Volume 2 anymore. Since you're not a hundred percent on my side, you've officially betrayed our friendship!"
Despite the theatrical declaration of "war," Simon didn't say a word. He just followed quietly behind his friend. He knew Kai well enough to know that this was just his way of being dramatic, and the "betrayal" wouldn't last past lunch.