The Realm Protectors

Chapter 4 - Ciana

"Your earth friends were nice," Apalla says as we tune out Professor Grantwood's opening speech.

"Where'd y'all meet?" Dawn asks in that southern belle drawl of hers.

"Oh, you know," I wave my hand. "Woke up in the campus hospital together." My roommates laugh like I said something funny and I turn my attention back to Professor Grantwood.

"Asavanra Academy is the best school in the Realm for advancing your talents, whether that talent is with your ability or somewhere else!" Professor Grantwood's voice is bright and cheery. "Our fourth sects are some of the best in the Realm, and many go on to be the best warriors and protectors in the Realm!" Cheers go up around the auditorium, probably from those fourth sects. "And now, I'd like to introduce our fabulous faculty and staff here at Asavanra!" The row of teachers behind Professor Grantwood step forward. They're grouped together by the colors they wear, distinguishing the teachers by their element.

Professor Grantwood goes down the line and introduces each teacher one by one. I recognize the ginger-haired teacher dressed in red as the teacher that gave me my element test. Grantwood introduces her as Ms. Sandman. I also recognize the very pregnant teacher in the white dress and butter yellow cardigan, who is introduced as Mrs. Rahn. Down and down the row of teachers until Professor Grantwood reaches the very end.

"And last but certainly not least, we have Mr. Stewart, who assists me in teaching all of you about the beautiful history of our dear realm." Professor Grantwood says with a smile. "Now, I'm going to give everyone a very very brief rundown of what this year is going to look like. As some of you know, we have four breaks throughout the year. You all just finished the end of the year break, and soon enough we'll have the short spring break, our summer break, our short autumn break, and finally back to the end of the year break. These breaks are valuable periods of time for any student wishing to catch up on any classwork or elemental practice, but you can also use them to visit family. More information on how to apply to visit your family during the school year breaks will be given to you as we get closer to spring break.

"Now, there will be four big exams in every class this year. Quarter exams just before spring break, midterm exams before summer break, another quarter exam before autumn break, and finally the big final exam before the end of the year break. These exams are a large part of your grades, so you are very much encouraged to study."

"That's a lot of tests," Dawn gapes. Professor Grantwood continues talking about extracurricular activities while Apalla laughs.

"Well, yeah. They have to make sure we're actually learning something." Apalla giggles as she turns back to Professor Grantwood.

"Are those the only tests we'll take all year?" I ask excitedly. Better than three or four a week! My excitement disappears when Apalla shrugs.

"It depends on the teacher," She says. "Some make you take a test between each of the exams, some make you take one every week." Dawn goes pale underneath her southern tan and looks like she might pass out.

"You'll be fine," I assure her. "I'm sure the tests can't be that bad. After all, Professor Grantwood told me that basic subjects that Other schools consider important aren't as important here as your kinesis classes." Dawn nods and some of her color starts to return to her face as we turn back to Professor Grantwood.

"I'm now going to ask that everyone returns to their dorms." Grantwood says. "You'll all have your schedules and class lists by the end of today, and you're all asked to go down to Academy Avenue and get your required school supplies before classes start. Any questions? No? Fantastic. We'll see you all in two days when classes start!"

The crowd of students gets up and starts to make their way towards the exit. I follow Apalla and Dawn down the stairs until we reach the tunnels and then I lose them in the crowd of students.