BOOK TWO: Chapter 35: The Faculty's Core
The beautiful, hopeful image of Pandoran life vanished, and the staff's focus snapped back to the spinning globe of **Earth**. A new, eager energy now filled the room, replacing their exhaustion.
"We are short-staffed at this moment, but we are also a staff with one student so far," Earth said, its voice resuming its pedagogical cadence. "This gives us time to work with our **Professors**."
The use of the title *Professor* elevated the atmosphere.
"The importance of what we learn now cannot be overstated. You will change the world as we know it," Earth stated. "Each one of you does not currently possess a magical core. Today, I will teach you how to gain one, and you will each receive a different elemental **Affinity**."
There were six teacher candidates present, and Earth continued, outlining the curriculum:
"The classes will be structured to mimic Earth's education system, providing familiarity for the children. You will each teach six classes a day. There will be seven periods during the day and one hour for lunch, giving our students an **eight-hour day**."
Earth paused, projecting a graphic of the massive, now-subdued bear infected by the Dark Element. "There is one Affinity we will not be teaching: the **Dark Affinity**. We don't have to say why. I think we all know."
Every teacher nodded solemnly, agreeing that the volatile, corrupting nature of the Dark Element was too dangerous for young minds.
"So, five classes teaching a different element, and one extracurricular class teaching **Forge Mastery**. Since the Academy is six years long, and Forge Mastery has five levels, the first year will not teach the Forge Mastery class."
Earth continued, "This final, seventh period will be a personal class with the **Headmaster**." A beam of light from the holographic globe shone directly onto Carter. "Professor Yolanda Johnson is the **Director of Child Welfare**. She will manage the assignment of students to their classes and dormitories, and she will be managing the staff along with the Headmaster."
### The Tools of Security
Carter walked to the back of the stage and pulled open the curtains behind them. Revealed were seven long, polished obsidian **staffs**, each one capped with a softly glowing bulb.
"These," Carter announced, picking one up, "are for the security team. They are **Staves of Balance**, magically forged tools that hold stable Light and Dark magic. They will be used to police the campus, giving your team the ability to heal and, if absolutely necessary, destroy, to secure our facilities."
He handed the staffs to Colonel Vance's team, who accepted them with a mix of confusion and wonder. The simple tools grounded the abstract concepts of magic in immediate utility.
"Any questions?" Carter asked, sweeping his gaze across the staff.
No one asked any questions. Everyone, from the security team clutching their new staffs to the teachers anticipating their new magical cores, was too delighted by the promise of control and purpose.
Carter stepped forward. "That is the day's briefing. Go home and be here bright and early for the first day of class."
The teachers exchanged confused glances. They had no students, save for a weeks-old baby girl. But the promise of a magical core and a world-changing mission was all the incentive they needed. They all got up, happier than hell, and went to their rooms to await their new, impossible reality.