Phrontistery Of Monster Kind - Six Feet Deep

Chapter 5

Tuesday the sixteenth was the first official day of school. Between my hire and that first day, I had no preparation time. One subject I was fine with, but two- with only one being a subject that my only credentials was being human- was unlucky. Still, I had to try.

The past teacher's office was locked up along with his quarters, and I was thankful I already had a room set aside or I would be royally screwed.

I had a simple idea since I couldn't access any of his lesson plans. All the classes started with a quiz to check their knowledge of general history, so I could alter my curriculum to teach them adequately. I would explain how my classes would run, my expectations, how I planned to teach off what they knew and for the higher years, how the exams would be assessed.

I was a marker, but I didn't get to score my school now that I was teaching to avoid bias. That was one perk of a human school, I could mark from any monster school as humans don't teach Monster History.

My first class was that with year eleven, which seemed relatively straightforward. However, as I entered the classroom, I was greeted by a peculiar sight. Two witches were engaged in a hexing competition, a bat was attempting to attack an insect student cowering in the corner of the ceiling, a wolf and a dragon were bullying a faun who simply wanted to draw in their notebook.

"I didn't realise I was teaching year seven students this period," I called out, dropping my purse on the desk.

"This is year eleven, Ms," one of them responded snarkily.

"Well then, start acting like it," I retorted. They all looked at me with confusion. "Take your seats. I shouldn't have to remind you."

Slowly, they complied, their eyes fixed on me. The only one who was already seated was a hairy humanoid girl, her notebook open and her fangs slightly visible beneath her lower lip. The bat swooped down from the ceiling, transforming into a pale blonde vampire who could rival Chiro in terms of paleness. The vampire settled beside the faun and the girl from earlier. The only creature who didn't return to their seat was the moth teenager, still clinging to the corner.

I let out a sigh and spoke, "If you choose to stay up there, you will have to clean the spiderwebs. Deal?"

I received a grateful, "Thank you," in response.

"You're welcome. Now, as you may have already figured out, I am your new Monster History teacher-"

"Is it true that you're human?" Interrupted one of the students.

The question hung in the air, and the atmosphere in the classroom grew tense. The students exchanged wary glances, their expressions revealing a mixture of curiosity and distrust. It was evident that my humanity had struck a nerve within them.

I maintained my composure, meeting their gazes with a steady resolve. "Yes, it is true," I admitted, refusing to shy away. "I am human."

Whispers erupted throughout the room, spreading like wildfire among the students. Some seemed intrigued, while others displayed open disdain. The faun and the hairy humanoid girl exchanged an uncertain glance, their reactions more reserved compared to the rest. They seemed willing to give me a chance, albeit cautiously.

The vampire leaned back in her seat with a smirk playing on his lips. "A human teaching Monster History? This should be amusing," she sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Her remark triggered a ripple of laughter from the males in the classroom.

I could sense the tension escalating, and it was crucial to address their concerns head-on. I took a deep breath, allowing my words to carry conviction and sincerity. "I understand that my presence here might be unsettling for some of you," I began, my voice firm but empathetic. "But I assure you, my only goal is to teach you-"