"Welcome to Class C. My name is Professor Arabella, and I am your class advisor. I’m also a history teacher, so if you have any questions related to history, feel free to ask me."
Professor Arabella stood tall with a graceful, almost regal posture. Her presence was both gentle and magnetic.
Long waves of chestnut hair cascaded down her back, tied loosely with an ivory ribbon that matched her pleated blouse. Her only ornamentation was an old brooch that she pinned just below the centre of her collar.
Her eyes were a striking shade of storm-grey, intelligent and contemplative, as if they’re always reading between the lines of time.
Alex struggled to tell how old she was. Her skin was as smooth and pale as porcelain and offset by a soft rosy flush in her cheeks and lips, but the twinkle behind her gold-rimmed spectacles hinted at knowledge that could only be gained from years and years of studying mysterious texts uncovered from ancient ruins.
One of the students wolf-whistled as he looked at their beautiful professor. Everyone immediately turned to see who had the audacity to be so crass before such a dignified scholar of history.
"I-I’m sorry," the teenage boy apologized hastily. For a moment, he had completely forgotten that he was currently in Frieden Academy, not the busy markets of Harmonia.
"Since this is our first day in class, I will let this slide, Mr. Philip," Professor Arabella said. "But please, for your own safety, don’t try this with the other Professors, okay? They’re not as understanding as me."
"Yes, Professor!" Philip answered firmly. "It will not happen again!"
"Good." Professor Arabella’s lips curved with amusement. "Now, since we are still strangers to each other, how about we use this opportunity to introduce ourselves to the class?
"Let’s start with the person at the back of the class. Can you please introduce yourself and, if possible, share your favorite quote as well?"
"Yes, My Lady!" Chuck stood up, excited to talk about himself. "My name is Chuck No Rizz. Seventeen years old. I am a Fire Mage, and I plan to have three girlfriends! My favorite quote is ’Chase fire, chase women, chase glory!’"
The teenage boy then flashed a devilish smile before shooting finger guns at the front row. He sat down, but not before remembering to wink at the ladies who were looking at him out of politeness and curiosity.
Awkward silence descended upon the class, only broken by the sound of chair legs dragging across the floor as Alex and Dim Dim moved a little farther from Chuck and pretended not to know him.
Professor Arabella blinked, doing her best to prevent her smile of warm encouragement from faltering.
"I see," Professor Arabelle said lightly. "A man of ambition... and flare. Next please!"
The class chuckled, noticing that the Professor clearly did her best to think of a positive thing to say about Chuck’s declaration.
"My name is Alex Stratos," Alex said with a smile. "I’ll turn eighteen in three months. I specialize in using the shield. This is my friend, Dim Dim, and I hope to get along well with everyone. My favorite quote is... Fight for your dreams, and your dreams will fight for you."
Professor Arabella appreciated Alex’s quiet confidence, which she could see from the way he spoke.
Dim Dim, perched on his head, smiled cutely at the students and waved its little arm, earning a few "awwws" from the girls and smirks from the boys.
"Well spoken, Mr. Stratos. And welcome, Dim Dim," Professor Arabella praised. "I hope that both of you will enjoy your stay here in the academy."
"I wish for that as well, Professor," Alex replied.
"Dim Dim~" Dim Dim smiled.
One by one, Alex’s other classmates introduced themselves. Eventually, it was the turn of a dwarf seated in the front row.
Standing not more than five feet tall, she spoke confidently and her lively voice spread inside.
"My name is Fran Terra. I just turned eighteen years old a week ago," Fran said. "As you can see, I’m a dwarf. I might look like a little kid, but I’m older than most of you here in the class.
"I take care of the small farm in the academy as well as its animals. If you are interested in milk and cheese, you can buy it from me for a cheap price."
Alex watched the young lady sit down, feeling a little bit unsettled because she had said the same words in her introduction in the game.
Of course, there was nothing wrong with that.
It was just that Alex had hoped that things would be a little different now that he was in the same class as her.
Although she was not one of the three main heroines of ELO, she was very popular among the player base, just like Astrea.
Some people refer to her romance route as the "Farmville Route" because she was the academy’s one and only farmer.
Her skin was surprisingly pale and smooth for someone who worked in the fields and tended animals. It had a healthy, radiant glow. Her pink hair was kept practically short and her eyes, which were also pink, sparkled cheerfully.
Although she was small, her body contained a herculean strength that was capable of knocking out Renard with a single punch.
In truth, even Alex wasn’t confident that he could fight Fran in a serious battle. Although she was young, Fran was nearly a Rank 4 Dwarven Berserker.
She was a Prodigy the academy was nurturing, which was why the staff had allowed her to establish a farm of her own on the campus.
"Chuck, as your friend, let me give you one piece of advice," Alex whispered in his roommate’s ear. "Don’t cross Fran no matter what. You might not survive to piss her off a second time."
"You don’t need to tell me that," Chuck replied in a serious tone. "That girl... she’s strong."
He might be a troublemaker, but he was clever enough to pick his battles.
Chuck’s instincts were telling him that if he messed with Fran, he might find himself crippled for months on end.
When all the students had introduced themselves, Professor Arabella decided to start a basic lecture.
"Let’s first talk about the history of Frieden Academy," Professor Arabella said. "As you may already know, this academy was founded by none other than the Paragon of Space, Rowan Vademont."
The Professor then lightly tapped on the board, creating a projection of their Headmaster.
’Over four centuries ago, during the aftermath of the Rift Wars, Rowan Vademont sought to create a sanctuary," Professor Arabella explained. "A sanctuary where knowledge, not conquest, would shape the next generation. Thus, Frieden Academy was born. A neutral ground in a divided world, and a bastion for all who seek to master their talents."
Professor Arabella’s gaze swept across the class. "This place is not only a school, but a promise. The word ’Frieden’ means peace in the old tongue. But don’t let the name fool you. The trials here are... rigorous.
"The Headmaster believes that peace is not something handed to you. It must be earned, sharpened, and guarded. The only way for peace to thrive is to have the strength to protect it. That is the reason why Frieden Academy exists."
A playful smile appeared on Professor Arabella’s face.
"I know that some of you are not interested in a History Class," Professor Arabella stated. "It’s very understandable because what we discuss has already happened in the past. You might find yourself asking, ’What is history, and why should we care?’"
The Professor then waved her hand, as if challenging the class to answer her question.
"The one who can give me a good answer to the question ’What is history and why should we care?’ will receive five hundred Academy Points from me." Professor Arabella’s smile widened. "As you may or may not know, the currency we use in this academy is Academy Points.
"Gold is only useful outside the walls of this learning institution. Inside, Academy Points is your only option. I’m looking forward to see who among you will be able to give me an answer worthy of the academy points I am offering right now."
As soon as Professor Arabella announced her challenge, several hands shot up. Each of them wanted to be chosen to answer, hoping to get the promised prize.
"Mr. Rizz, you go first," Professor Arabelle pointed at Chuck, who was waving his hand frantically.
Chuck stood, smiling confidently, and coughed lightly before giving his answer.
Alex and Dim Dim looked at their friend warily. Chuck’s expression all but stated that he had this question in the bag, but Alex and Dim Dim knew better than to be this optimistic.