"...As we reach our conclusion of the final section, let me give you a summary of the objective of our international seminar..."
As the sun began its descent, it spilled brilliant golden and ruby rays of light through the classroom window, casting a mesmerizing glow throughout the spacious space.
Additionally, the classroom was full of numerous students who were buried in their notes whilst a soft reaching voice constantly called out from the front.
"In the last two years, archaeologists in China have unearthed ancient artifacts and remnants originated from a potentially unidentified civilization. Currently, this unidentified soceity is classified as 'The Proto-Civilization' or 'The Predecessor Culture,' and rapidly attracted significant academic interest all over the world..."
Moreover, most students would either listen to the lecture or attentively scribble notes to the letter, while some were more serious than others, all of them did their best to be on their top behavior.
Notably, there were key differences that set everyone apart, particularly in their attire and overall presentation.
These students were organized into three distinct row groups, arranged according to their dress code.
The first group of students was dres8sed in black and striped red uniforms, while the second group wore dark blue uniforms decorated with golden knitted lines, and the last group showcased bright green uniforms with white-striped ties.
And most importantly, the students displayed different ethnic and national backgrounds, which was evident from the little metal-embedded flags on their ties.
"Subsequently, it was also discovered that 'The Proto-Civilization' was linked to a large and vast underground ruin located in the untouched mountains of East Africa..."
Somehow, despite the diligence of the ongoing lesson, one student in the second row just listened with a disengaged expression with no pen in hand, even as his peers wrote frequently in their notes.
"...Significantly, additional discoveries suggested that 'The Proto-Civilization' were a collective social of ancient artisans and builders who were inclusively involved in various constructions of great scale all over the ancient world. These constructions were exclusively unique in technique which piqued the interests of historians and scholars for past years. Furthermore, in a one-year period of their discovery, archaeologists all over the world found that they were involved in many prominent constructions..."
The speaker paused and glanced briefly at all of the students before continuing to read from her handbook.
This speaker distinguished herself from the others by wearing casual attire with a white cloak draped over it, which conveyed an impression of detachment and sophistication.
Her cloak primarily featured the Nigerian flag, but, unlike the others, she also included a World Flag alongside it.
Nearby, there were older individuals seated close to her podium, all dressed in formal attire. They exuded an air of authority and prestige, suggesting they were likely professors.
On the right side of the podium sat a bronze-skinned professor adorned with a Nigerian flag, who listened intently to the presentation.
To his right was a Chinese professor who frequently noted additional thoughts and quick diagrams on the board even before the speaker addressed the topics.
While on the left side of the podium, a mature woman in her mid-30s wore glasses and had an English flag on her tie. She observed the class quietly, occasionally scanning the room as if she were supervising as a spectator.
'...We are nearing the end of the seminar lesson,' the English professor thought, looking down at her watch and personal handbook.
However, before she could continue her reading, she could see one of the students not writing any notes.
This caught her attention as she observed the student listening inattentively, without a textbook or even a pen.
Alarmed, she raised her head unnoticed and took a secretive glance in their direction.
Her brows visibly frowned because that lazy student also had an English flag on their tie.
"...What is that lazy boy doing now?" she murmured thoughtlessly with exhausted eyebrows.
Unbeknownst to his own demise, the lazy student casually rested his chin on his hand, listening with only half his focus on the speaker while the other half of his mind wandered in thought.
Suddenly, he sensed someone staring at him. He shifted his gaze, pretending to look out the window, only to find one of the professors at the front looking in his direction.
'Uh-oh. Miss Eve is looking in my direction...' He thought, feeling a surge of anxiety.
Uneasiness seeped in his heart as he instinctively searched for a pen to write with, only to realize that he left his notebook in his bag.
With no other option, he bent his head toward one of the laid out copies of the lesson, lightly dragging his pen across the paper as though he were highlighting each important detail with a serious expression.
When the speaker paused to take a breath, she glanced around the room and spoke in a calm voice, asking,
"...Now that this information is known to the general public, could one of you please volunteer to share which of the great wonders is linked to 'The Proto-Civilisation?'"
Abruptly, all the professors turned their attention to the students representing their respective national schools.
Although they didn't speak, it was evident there was a underlying sense of competition in their expressions.
The lazy student instantly stiffened up, along with the rest of students around him.
To note, while answering the question was straightforward given their academic level, it required additional explanation and contextual support to prevent presenting overgeneralizations and avoid causing embarrassment to themselves in the classroom if they were even slightly mistaken.
Moving his gaze away from the front, the lazy student tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible while the other students silently panicked.
Nevertheless, his worst fears came to pass when he felt a familiar stare directed at him. This time he chose to ignore it, but his racing heart made it difficult for him to do so.
Thankfully, the speaker chose another person from the back of the classroom.
Just as he was about to breathe a silent sigh of relief, he caught a brief, condescending look from a nearby Chinese student next to his right.
The lazy student flatly disregarded the stare and instead focused on the brave volunteer with curiosity and skepticism.
However, he and his peers didn't expect was seeing a stunning girl with golden hair and silver eyes. Although her face seemed still, her silver eyes shone brightly like solitary moons gazing down upon the world... well accurately, a classroom.
Blinking out of his daze, the lazy student chuckled at how romantic and poetic his mind was when comprehending this beautiful girl.
Frankly, what truly piqued his interest was the fact that she wore the Netherlands flag on her tie.
Interestingly, she was the only student representative of the Netherlands in the classroom.
"Please state your name and answer."
"Ahem... My name is Aurelia Nora, and I represent the National Girls High School from the Netherlands." She bowed slightly and continued.
"Regarding your earlier question, one such widely known ancient wonder contributed by these secretive builders of 'The Proto-Civilisation' was the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Documents and contextual relics have recently suggested that the secretive race was involved in one of the early tombs during the Early Dynastic Period (c. 2649-2575 BCE), which recorded their involvement in early constructions. This later paved the way for the greater construction of the Great Pyramids..."
Most of the students were shocked at how calm-headed her answer and attitude were despite the heavy pressure placed on her, as the professors nodded in approval. The speaker smiled and gestured for her to sit down.
"Thank you, Aurelia, for your simple and direct answer."
The speaker then lowered her gaze to her handbook and continued.
"As one example explained by Aurelia Nora of the Great Pyramids, they were one of many contributions associated with the secretive group known as 'The Proto-Civilisation' in the ancient world. Recent research has linked collective wonders such as the Colosseum in Rome, Stonehenge in England, Machu Picchu in Peru, and even the southern lands of Africa, such as Great Zimbabwe, among others, to a craft of engineering prowess.
Moreover, it is now suggested by scholars around the world that 'The Proto-Civilization' has integrated into all parts of the world, helping primitive societies solidify into what they are today.
Sadly, many records of their existence were abruptly destroyed in the early beginnings of the medieval era. However, regardless of the reasons why they became more enigmatic than they were in the past, many agree that their significance in history and human processes should not be overlooked.
And through this secretive group, 'The Proto-Civilization', the modern world unites in the fact that humanity has found a common ancient ancestry, and we should come together to discover more about our forgotten heritage of the forefathers and early mothers who shaped our world today.
Therefore, we welcome all students and professors who have come from all parts of the world to Nigeria's National University to learn and also witness the ancient Proto-underground ruins in person. Through this, we hope this international seminar program will foster common connectivity and unity regarding our possible origins and the progressive beginnings of our ancient world. Thank you for letting me teach and inform you about this revolutionary and historical topic over these past three days, and I hope your field trip will be engaging and welcoming for you.
After all, we wouldn't want your eyes to darken more than they already are.' Most of the students and professors chuckled out loud.
"I am Yarisa Zahra, one of the lead pioneer of this international seminar. Please enjoy the rest of your time in Nigeria."
The professors stood up and clapped their hands as the students followed suit. Yarisa bowed her head respectfully to everyone and allowed them to leave. Soon after, the students began packing their notebooks, with some already rushing out. Most of the professors followed Yarisa out and began discussing other matters.
The lazy student also leaned down to pick up his bag and prepared his way toward the door.
However, a looming voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Oredell Cipher."
His expression immediately drained color and he cursed his luck.
Just as he was about to turn to respond, he caught the enigmatic Aurelia casting him a brief side glance as she passed by.
Observing this interaction of indifference directed at him, Oredell shook his head without a hint of acknowledgment and turned his attention to his professor, Miss Eve, who approached him with a stern look.