Morning, in their special subject classes…
In Aetherborn, Damon was sitting beside Selby's table.
Selby:
"Damon, listen up. We've decided to stop going to Professor, so from today we won't come anymore."
Damon:
"Ahh, okay."
In Novaborn, just like Selby, Calla informed Aren.
In Veilborn, Talia wanted to tell Owen, but she remembered the day when, because of her questions, Owen was punished. So she kept quiet.
When there were only 30 minutes left, all the Professors explained the exam pattern to their students.
Mr. Veylor, Mr. Henderson, Mrs. Nectar:
"So, students, your exam will be of 30 marks. You'll have to answer 6 questions, each worth 5 marks. The questions will be basic, not too tough—easy to score. Just read your chapters, revise neatly, and focus on what I've taught you. That will be enough. Now the lecture is over, and I think you all know where to go. So, leave."
And like that, the students went out. After the lecture, Talia told Owen that they weren't going to ask Mr. Henderson any more questions. Then they all went for lunch, and later, back to their dormitory.
In girls' room…
Talia:
So, let's go now..
Calla:
Yeah.
They three teleported to Professor Henderson's room.
Mr. Henderson:
Ohh, you three. Where are the boys?
Selby:
Ahh, we decided to stop questioning you since you said you'll tell us when the right time comes.
Mr. Henderson:
Ohh, so why have you three come?
Talia:
I want to know about my dad.
Mr. Henderson:
About Stephen… hmm… Stephen was a great wizard. He was also from Novaborn. And at that time, there wasn't a specific subject for each house. So back then, I was the Professor of Thalorin… Stephen used to like this subject a lot. He even scored really good marks in it. He loved animals… especially his unicorn, Slyrim. He loved him so much. I remember he never wanted to leave this school.
Talia:
If he loved everything that much, then why did he never tell my mom about this? And why did he never tell my mom and me about the people here?
Mr. Henderson:
Who said he never told us? He did tell me about you both, but… ahh, I'll tell you all about that when the right time comes. See, maybe you'll all get angry, but if I tell you now, you won't understand anything. So for now…
Talia:
Ahh… okay, okay.
Mr. Henderson:
So, is that much information enough, or do you want anything else?
Talia:
Huh, no.
Mr. Henderson:
Good. Now, as your exams are coming, calm your mind. Don't think too much—focus on your studies. Now go back to your room.
Calla:
Okay, sir…
They teleported back to their room.
Talia (angrily):
Why can't they just tell us now?
Selby:
Heyy, calm down, Tal.
Calla:
We don't know either, Tal. But stay calm.
Calla and Selby were trying to comfort Talia when the stone wall rippled like water, glowing faintly. A parchment unfurled itself in mid-air and pinned against the wall, while golden letters shimmered into place — a timetable.
Selby:
Oh, look! The timetable has arrived.
They all went closer to the timetable.
Selby:
Ohh, look — our first paper is Thalorin.
Calla:
What exactly is this subject, Thalorin, about?
In the boys' room…
Damon:
So, Aren, are you done with your studies?
Aren:
Uhhh… yes. See, we still have many days, so I'll teach you half the steps, and you can practice them.
Damon:
Umm… okay, that sounds good.
Aren:
That way, I'll still have time for my own studies.
Damon:
Hmm… so, can we start now?
Aren:
"Yes. So first of all, your hand on your partner like this… and this. Then one leg forward, one leg backward. Keep your balance straight."
Damon tried to copy, but his hand slipped at the wrong angle, and his back leg bent awkwardly.
Aren chuckled, shaking his head.
"No, no, not like that. Your hand should stay steady—firm but not stiff. Try again."
Damon corrected himself, this time managing the hand posture, but when he stepped forward, his foot landed too heavily, almost tripping.
From across the room, Owen, who was buried in books, groaned at the noise.
Owen:
"Hey, you two! Whatever you're doing, keep it down. I'm studying!"
Damon:
"Sorry, sorry! I'll make sure to stay quiet now."
Aren:
"Too forceful! It's about flow, not force. Think of water moving around rocks. Gentle, but unstoppable."
Damon exhaled, nodding, and tried once more. His stance was better, but his timing still faltered.
Aren:
"Better… but you're rushing. Slow down. Feel the rhythm."
Damon frowned.
"Rhythm? We're not dancing, are we?"
Aren:
"Huhhh… okay, forget everything else. Just do one thing." He pulled out a large training cloth and spread it across the floor.
"Now, put your feet like this and this. Balance yourself, then just move forward… and back. That's it. Keep practicing that while I study. But first, let me hit the washroom."
Damon:
"Huhh?? …Hmm, okay."
Aren left.
Owen looked up from his book.
"Damon… are you seriously learning to dance for Calla?"
Damon (hesitated, scratching the back of his neck):
"No— I mean yes, but… ahh. Look, I don't even think she'll choose me. Still, I want to try. Before this school, I didn't even have friends. I was always alone—never danced, never sang, never enjoyed anything. But here… things feel different. So I decided, no matter what happens, I'll throw myself into it. I'm just… living my life now. And it's not about Calla. It wouldn't matter who my partner is… it's only dance."
Owen softened, smiling faintly.
"Uhmm… that's good, buddy. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. But still—at least study your special subject. That's new for you."
Damon:
"Oh yes, I will. Don't worry about that."
Just then, Aren came back from the washroom. And in their room too, the stone wall rippled, and a glowing parchment appeared, letters forming in gold—their timetable.
(Three looking at the timetable.)
Aren:
What is Thalorin?
Suddenly, fairies flutter into every room, guiding the students out. They lead them to a vast, glowing garden, filled with strange flowers and plants no one has ever seen.
(One curious boy reaches out to pluck a flower. Suddenly, a strong voice cuts through the air.)
Mr. Meccanie (a young man with brown hair, sharp blue eyes, a faint moustache, and a tall, commanding presence):
Stop. Don't do that.
(The boy quickly pulls back his hand, startled.)
Mr. Meccanie:
I am your professor for the subject of Thalorin. My name is Demelaus Meccanie. I'm new here—before me, your professor was Sir Latties. He died very young… at the age of 250.
Talia (whispering):
Weeh… this is a young age? Seriously?
(At that moment, a girl raised her hand and interrupted Professor Meccanie.)
The Girl:
Sir… how are you our professor? You look so young.
Mr. Meccanie:
Huh? What do you think my age is?
The Girl:
…25?
Mr. Meccanie (chuckling):
Nah. I'm 70.
(The crowd of students gasped, whispering to each other in shock.)
Mr. Meccanie (raising his hand for silence):
Enough. We are not here to talk about my age, right? Your subject, Thalorin, is about the study of nature and the magical creatures of this world. So, for today's first class, I am going to introduce you to the Hemlesiu. Follow me.
(Professor Meccanie led the students to a shimmering lake, its banks glowing with strange flowers.)
Mr. Meccanie:
Look around. Do you see these flowers? These are Hemlesiu. They grow near lakes and are very useful. If you are injured, the liquid from this flower can heal wounds. But you must also know—Hemlesiu can be poisonous if you don't know which one to use.
(He plucked two flowers, holding them up—one orange, one red.)
Mr. Meccanie:
This orange one is still young. If you squeeze it, the liquid will burn your skin—it's poison. But this red one is fully grown. Its liquid will heal injuries. Remember this well. When they wither, they turn brown, fall, and new ones grow again. You will find this explained in your books as well. Now… any questions?
(The boy who earlier tried to pluck a flower raised his hand nervously.)
Mr. Meccanie:
Yes, go on.
The Boy:
Sir… then why did you pluck these flowers? When I tried earlier, you stopped me.
Mr. Meccanie (smiling):
Hmm, good question. Listen carefully—if a Hemlesiu is young, like this orange one, it can still survive if replanted. But the flower you touched earlier was different. That was called Felemio. If you pluck a Felemio before it matures, it dies instantly and becomes useless. And that's not the only one—there are many such plants that require careful timing.
Mr. Meccanie: "Ok now, any other questions?"
No one responded.
Mr. Meccanie: "Alright then. Let me explain your exam pattern. You'll have 10 marks for practicals—which will be based on creatures—and 20 marks for the written paper. This pattern is the same for every subject except your special one. Ok… we still have about 30 minutes left. Ahh, do you want to see practically whether this flower really works or not?"
Students (in unison): "Yes, we want to see!"
Mr. Meccanie: "Ok, ok. One boy—ahh, you." (points at a random boy) "Come here and pluck the red one. And now, watch closely."
The professor picks up a sharp stone from the ground. He slices his own hand, and blood starts dripping. Every student gasps in shock.
Mr. Meccanie: "Now, as you can see, I'm injured. Right? Ok, now you"—(gesturing to the boy)—"squeeze the flower's liquid onto my hand."
The boy does exactly as instructed. Within seconds, the wound begins to close, glowing with a golden sparkle.
Mr. Meccanie: "See? This is how it works. Now, our class is over."
After that, the students went to the Grand Refectory.
After dinner, the girls went to their dorms. The boys too were heading back, but then…
Aren:
"Wait— we haven't asked the girls why they stopped going to the Professor to ask questions."
Owen:
"Ohh right… even I forgot to ask Talia."
Damon:
"Me too."
Aren:
"We should go now and ask them."
Owen:
"Are you mad or what? Now? Seriously?"
Aren:
"See, there's still time. We can ask them."
Damon:
"Hmm… yes, we still have time. Let's go."
Owen:
"Ahh… you both… okay fine."
Then they all teleported to the girls' dorm.
Meanwhile, the girls were about to change their clothes when suddenly—whoosh—the boys appeared.
Talia:
"HUHHH! You three… I told you NOT to teleport into our room!"
Aren:
"Sorry, but we had a question…"
Calla:
"And was it so important that you had to teleport in now?"
Damon:
"Ahh… we just wanted to know, why did you all decide to stop going to the Professor for questions?"
Calla:
"Because he just kept saying, 'I'll tell you when the right time comes.' And since exams are coming, we need to study too."
Owen:
"See, Damon?"
Damon:
"Ahh… what??"
Owen:
"So Calla… have you already decided on a partner for the dance?"
Calla:
"Wait—why would I decide that now? There's still no date announced, and why would I waste my time searching for a partner?"
Owen:
"That's… correct."
Talia:
"Huh, well speaking of dance… that reminds me of today's Thalorin Professor. Honestly, he was kind of good-looking—even if he's in his seventies."
Calla:
"Actually… yeah, he was."
Selby:
"Seriously? I didn't think so at all."
Damon:
"Yeah, for real. I don't get what you two saw in him."
Talia:
Ahh, why are you offended..?
Owen:
Hey, leave that—let's just get back to our dorm. There's only 1 minute left, or else we'll be stuck here.
Selby:
No, seriously, you better go now.
Damon:
We'll talk about it tomorrow. Bye for now.
They all teleported back to their rooms.
Owen:
Calm down, buddy…
Aren:
But why did you even get offended at a 70-year-old man?
Owen:
Forget it now. Just change your clothes and sleep.
(In the girls' dorm)
Talia:
That was kinda odd.
Selby:
Yeah… but it was a real question. Anyway, leave it—let's just change and sleep.
And like that, they all got into their beds and drifted off to sleep.