Tale of Vanguard

The morning sun streamed through the large windows of the classroom, casting a warm glow on the desks and the students who filled the seats. Its the second day of the academy, Kaelen sat at his desk with his gaze wandering absentmindedly around the room as he mulled over the upcoming tournament. 

The commotion from yesterday still lingered in his mind also. He had planned to meet Serephira after the incident, but she was nowhere to be found for the rest of the day. The fact that they only shared three courses this semester didn't help either. As for this course he attended today, it revolves around the history of the Calaria Kingdom.

"Something bothering you?"

A voice called out to Kaelen, who is still pondering. It was Thane's, his first acquaintance in the academy—or maybe he can call him his friend now. He is seated next to Kaelen.

"No.. its nothing. Hey, are you going to participate in the tournament?"

Thane nodded in response to Kaelen

"Yeah, i am. My master has ordered me to take part. He believes it's a good opportunity for me to gain experience and show what I've learned. I guess he's got his own reasons for wanting me in the tournament."

'Master.. huh'

Speaking of master, Kaelen thought that he should probably consult about this matter with the old man later.

As Kaelen was lost in thought, the classroom suddenly fell into silence. Sounds of Chattering and rustling of papers came to a stop. Kaelen's attention snapped back to the room. His eyes widened in suprise when he noticed a girl standing beside him.

"Whoa! Where did you come from?"

It was Seraphina, the girl he had met when he first came into this world, who is also Serephira's twin sister. She looked at Kaelen with a flat and blank expression on her face.

"May i sit beside you?"

Kaelen was caught off guard by the directness of her request. He glanced around the classroom which are full of whisper from the students around them.

"Uh, sure i guess?"

Seraphina took a seat next to him with a composed and indifferent expression. Thane who is sitting on the other end of Kaelen, asked him

"Whoa, do you know princess Seraphina?"

Kaelen glanced at Thane, a bit suprised by his question

"We've.. only passed each other once"

Kaelen wasn't sure if she even remembered their previous encounter. When she asked if she could sit beside him, he wondered whether it was because she recalled him or simply because she needed a place to sit. Besides, today's course was about the history of the Calaria Kingdom—why would a princess of the very kingdom be attending it?

As Kaelen pondered about Serephina's motivations, a woman entered the classroom.

She appeared to be in her fifties, with a dignified air about her. Her silver hair was neatly pulled back into a bun. She wore a dark green dress with intricate patterns embroidered along the hem. A pair of thin, gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose, adding to her scholarly appearance.

The woman cleared her throat, and the room fell silent as she began to speak.

"Good morning, everyone. I am Professor Ruby Myles, and I will be teaching today's class on the history of the Calaria Kingdom."

Her voice was clear and commanding, yet carried a gentle undertone that put the students at ease. She set down a stack of papers on the desk at the front of the room and looked out at her students with a thoughtful expression.

Professor Myles adjusted her glasses and looked out at the students with a serious expression.

"Before we dive into today's lesson, I need to address a matter of particular importance due to the upcoming tournament."

The room was instantly filled with a palpable sense of anticipation. 

"Given the significance of the tournament and the involvement of other kingdoms, it's crucial to understand the historical context of our competitors. Today, instead of our usual lesson on the history of Calaria, we will explore the histories of the key kingdoms involved: Drakoria, Veridonia, and Thaloria.

A murmur of interest spread through the classroom as Professor Myles displayed a figure of a map on the board using only her wand.

"Drakoria, to the east of Calaria, is known for its formidable military prowess and dragon-riding knights. Its harsh terrain has forged a people renowned for their strength and resilience."

She then moved on to the next kingdom.

"To the west lies Veridonia, a land of lush forests and intricate magic. The Veridonians are masters of mystical arts and possess a deep connection with their natural surroundings. Their strategic approach often involves manipulating the environment to their advantage."

Professor Myles continued

"To the north, we have Thaloria, a kingdom famed for its advanced technological innovations and its vast trade networks. The Thalorians are known for their ingenuity and their ability to harness and develop technology in ways that others cannot."

Finally, she turned to their own kingdom.

"And here, we have Calaria, the heart of our discussion. Our kingdom is renowned for its rich culture, advanced technology, and strong diplomatic ties. The tournament is not just a display of combat prowess but a demonstration of our unity and strength."

Kaelen took in the information with growing appreciation, recognizing the importance of knowing their competitors' backgrounds.

As the lecture continued, Kaelen felt a renewed sense of purpose. The upcoming tournament was more than just a mere competition—it was a stage set against a backdrop of rich histories and deep-seated rivalries. 

He turned to the girl beside him and asked her a question:

"Hey, uh... will you be participating in the tournament as well?"

The girl turned to Kaelen with a blank expression and asked:

"What tournament?"

Kaelen's eyes widened slightly in surprise

"What?"

When he carefully looked at the girl, he actually began to think that she is absolutely clueless about what they had been talking about.

'Is she actually an airhead or something?'