"Greetings, young mages, I am Sigurn Ragnarkin. I will be the homeroom adviser for the 6th class of first-year apprentices of batch 1188. A little something about me: I am of northern descent, awakened at the age of fifteen, and I was a mage at the last crusade against the heretics. I will be blunt and straightforward every morning to give you the latest circular of the academic year."
A tall woman stood in front of the class where Jonas belonged. She had long golden locks of braided hair, a muscularly-built voluptuous body, and fair, white skin. Most noticeable was her tattoo, the ink starting just below her left cheek and creeping down to her arms and legs. She wore an exquisite fur and adorned herself with a necklace of small golden tusks.
She must be strong. I heard Northerners are freakishly gigantic! Jonas thought to himself as he straightened his back and perked up his head. He was a bit late, and when he arrived, all the seats at the front were already taken. But it was a blessing for him, since he never planned to be in front anyway. Less attention for him, he thought.
"First agenda. The Academy welcomes you all, and we ask for your forgiveness for the cancellation of the commencement ceremony due to recent concerns that threatened the safety of the Empire. Thanks to the perpetrators of the destruction of Vechta, you won't be hearing any inspirational words coming from the Headmaster."
Sigurn rolled her eyes as she licked her thumb and flipped the paper she was carrying. Jonas skipped a beat after hearing the news, shaking his head to regain his focus as the adviser continued.
"Next, uniform policy. Listen, just wear your uniforms when going to school. This is a respected institution, and the Academy expects you to reflect that honor. Anyone caught not properly wearing the uniform will be punished, any dirty uniforms will be punished, and any repeat offenders will be expelled. Not my rules, so just follow them."
Sigurn rolled her eyes again, licking and flipping the papers. Jonas thought the rule was too bothersome.
"Moving on. As first year apprentice, all of you will undergo training to be fully pledged mages of the Empire. But, before that, you must attend the lectures. Attend the lectures, pass the midterms, and take the final test, and you will move on to the next as second-year apprentices. Easy."
A fellow student raised their hand. "Excuse me!"
Sigurn sighed. "Yes?"
"Is there any punishment if you fail to pass your first-year final test?" The student stood up.
Sigurn smirked. "The Academy used to expel failures. Nowadays, they are allowed to repeat the year as long as they meet the requirements. The Empire mandated it so they could recruit mages more. Did that answer your question?"
"Y-Yes." The student went back to their seat.
Overjoyed, Jonas almost let out a sigh of relief. If I don't pass the exams, then it won't be a problem, huh? I could just repeat the year! He said to himself. In his past life, he remembered his years in school, and the memories of him repeating a year were unpleasant.
Sigurn quickly flicked through the papers, "Most of these circulars are just too unimportant. If you are interested in reading them, you could just go check the bulletin board just across the hall. My job as your homeroom advisor is simple: to not let you all fail. It doesn't just reflect badly on all of you."
Jonas nodded slightly. I guess I still need to try my best, get good grades, and pass. I thought I could just breeze through!
The Northern woman sighed, realizing the harshness of what she just said, "i know most of you are eager to prove something and make a name for themselves, most of you probably think that these lectures and exams are stupid, but believe me when I say this: out there with the heretics is not a child's play, it is war."
The whole class paused in silence; no one dared to say something or ask about it. There was a hint of sadness in Sigurn's tone when she said it. The homeroom adviser clicked her tongue and shook her head subtly, assuming her usual uncaring mask.
"Lastly, use of magic on campus grounds is forbidden. If you wish to spar, ask the groundskeeper to reserve a slot to use the arena. Also, you are all forbidden to loiter around the open field in the south annex. Understand?"
Everyone, including Jonas, answered in a somewhat unison tone: "Yes, master!"
"Good." Sigurn placed the papers on the podium from where she stood, "Now, let's do a roll call."
I wonder what my classes are gonna be like? Jonas asked himself, greatly anticipating the day. It is a chance for him to meet his peers. Fellow mages. But, he also knew his complicated background: a former slave. He worried people might judge him.
Meanwhile, as Jonas absentmindedly wanders with his thoughts, Sigurn calls out the names.
"Komnenos, Alexios." Sigurn said.
"Here," a voice answered the call.
Jonas glanced in the direction of the voice. It was a rather sturdy-looking boy; he couldn't make up all his features since all Jonas could see was his back.
Huh. A Komnenos? I heard that before from Hans… I wonder who they are? Jonas was occupied, curiously trying to get a better look at the Komnenos kid.
"Geisler," Sigurn said, and Alexios quickly stiffened his posture, "Jonas," she continued.
Jonas was caught off guard, wasn't expecting to be called out too soon, "Here!" his voice cracked.
The class was immediately filled with suppressed giggles and funny looks towards Jonas. All he could do was smile sheepishly with his raised hand that lacked confidence.
Sigurn was indifferent, "Settle down. Let's move on."
Jonas put down his hand, eyes avoiding anyone. But, he couldn't stop the feeling as if someone was menacingly glaring at him. When he looked up, he saw Alexios, eyes intensely piercing through his soul. Jonas yelped, gulping any courage he had in him.