A new week start and days had passed since the call with his mother.
That days hadn't been easy for Ryan. He spent most of it thinking about Mira's and avoiding another encounter with her. They hadn't met face to face again.
'Should I go meet her later ?'
But today was different.
Today was Monday. The first day of the real academic schedule.
The previous week, the lectures had been merely introductory – training battles and general discussions. Now, each student would begin their own path according to their option.
Ryan stood before the notice board outside the dormitory, where the paper Edan had mentioned was pinned. The schedule was written precisely, with his name at the top:
Ryan Darvin – Advanced Combat Division
Monday:
· Basics of Elements (Hall 3)
· History of the Continent (Hall 7)
· Advanced Fencing (Theory) – Hall 12
· Map Drawing (Hall 15)
Of course, the other days were there too.
Ryan stared at the schedule for a long time. The subjects weren't strange to him a lot, but he knew the academy would show no mercy. Every subject here was designed to forge real warriors, not mere students.
Edan said from behind him, making Ryan turn.
"Busy schedule."
Edan stood there too, staring at his own paper. "I have mostly the same subjects, plus Field First Aid and Healing with Elements.Wednesday."
Ryan said dryly.
"Lucky you."
Edan laughed. "Maybe. But if you were interested in the subject, you should have chosen it too."
Ryan didn't answer, he just said,
"We have to go, we'll be late."
Edan looked at him in surprise, then sighed.
"Okay, let's go."
Then they headed towards the hall.
*********
First Period: Basics of Elements – Hall 3
Ryan and Edan entered a spacious hall with stone seats arranged in a tiered amphitheater. The walls were covered with diagrams illustrating spark flow and the different elements. At the front of the hall stood the Professor Laurian Feld.
He was known in the academy as an expert in the science of elements, but he was also strict.
He began the class without preamble.
But after a while, the lesson wasn't about anything new; it was just like all the lectures they'd attended before. However, Ryan noticed that the professor seemed to be focusing on certain people and explaining things only to them.
'It seems the elite have a right to everything.'
And so the first lecture ended, and there was nothing new for Ryan.
Second Period: History of the Continent – Hall 7
Professor Helena Moore was an elderly woman, her hair completely white, but her eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.
she said as she paced between the rows of seats.
"Today we will talk about the six kingdoms of the continent, Every kingdom has a history, and every history has an emblem. He who does not know the emblems of the kingdoms does not know his friends from his enemies."
She began listing the kingdoms one by one, along with their emblems and meanings.
Ryan didn't struggle to follow her because he knew most of this information from Anna. Anna had been a wonderful teacher.Still, he was grateful for the refresher, especially since some details had begun to fade from his memory.
the professor suddenly asked.
"Does anyone know the emblem of the Kingdom of Valndor?"
One student raised his hand: "A black dragon on a purple background, symbolizing power and mystery."
The professor smiled. "Correct. Drakenfel is not an ordinary kingdom. Its rulers have always been fire-element bearers, and they have complex relationships with the other kingdoms."
Ryan didn't comment. In the end The second period ended quickly. It was time for the third period – Advanced Fencing (Theory).
This was what Ryan had truly been waiting for.