With a flick of their hand, the smoke on stage dispersed, revealing a tall,nky old woman.


    Her long, flowing grey hair was pulled into a loose braid, draped over her shoulder.


    Popping out of her hair were two triangr ears, which twitched slightly as she looked over the assembled students with curiosity filled grey eyes.


    On her sunken cheeks were three whiskers, and they trembled slightly as she scrunched her nose, taking a sniff of the air.


    Her eyes were creased, and her skin was weathered.


    Draped in a heavy robe, the woman, Weskn Nekonama, looked every part the old schr, what with the giant tome in one hand, the binding made from stretched leather.


    Stepping up to the podium, Weskn coughed,ying her tome on the podium before using it to support herself.


    "As Bijilo said, I am the Headmaster of Vulcan''s Royal Academy, Weskn Nekonama."


    Her voice was surprisingly silky and youthful, contrasting her older appearance.


    Looking around the room, the older Catkin stared at certain individuals, her grey gaze stopping on our tform as she looked between Jahi, Anput, and Leone.


    "Here at the Royal Academy, we, your teachers, will help any and everyone develop as best we can. You are all geodes; rough to look at, but hiding something beautiful and valuable underneath your surface.


    Everyone assembled in this hall are the future leaders of our Empire; be it Nobility or talentedmoners. You all deserve to be here, in this Academy, because of the potential you hold.


    However, do not let that muddle your mind; just because you have potential, do not becent. You may be from the strongest family, you may havee from somewhere where everyone told you you were the greatest, but here?


    Everyone is talented; everyone is capable of bing a powerful person in any field here. So let me repeat myself; do not becent. Work hard at your craft; learn something new. This Academy holds great knowledge, open to anyone; you just need to seek it yourself.


    For the new students joining us today; your first year is a standardized course, set to refine your rough edges with what we deemmon knowledge. If, for some reason, you find that these courses are too difficult... either study harder, or leave. This will be the easier year of your long tenure as students at Vulcan''s Royal Academy."


    Taking a breath, she narrowed her eyes as she surveyed the students again, a slight smile on her lips as she saw a few shuffling nervously in their seats.


    "Now that that is out of the way... you all will be making your way to your sses for an introduction to your professors, and given a rundown of the curriculum for that ss. Today is short, as we want you to learn your sses locations and professors before truly starting tomorrow."


    Sighing, Headmaster Weskn lifted her tome off of the podium, looking back at Bijilo with a nod.


    "Now, since it isn''t a specialized course, all the first years will share the same sses; You have Magic Theory and History before noon, and Physical Combat in the afternoon. Those three sses will cover a broad range of topics, from learning about the different fields of magic to the history of not only our Empire, but of the world itself. Physical Combat is a conditioning course, meant to keep you in... some shape, before switching to how to handle different kinds of weapons and fights."


    Headmaster Weskn turned, stepping away from the podium and slipping behind therge curtains, disappearing form sight.


    Chuckling, Vice-Headmaster Bijilo took her ce, saying "Well, all first years are to follow me; I will be your Magic Theory Professor. As for the other students, you are dismissed. Don''t bete now!"


    Stepping down off the stage, Vice-Headmaster Bijilo gestured for the students to gather around him, using his magic to create the runes for his name above his head.


    Looking between the three Heirs in front of me, I tilted my head when I saw Jahi pursing her lips together, while Anput just yawned.


    Leone sighed, her gaze on the two women as she said "Did... you listen at all?"


    Jahi turned, saying "Kinda? I zoned out... it was rather boring and simple..."


    Anput nodded,ying her head on Jahi''s chest as she added "Besides, I just learned that I''ll have to sit through boring morning sses everyday..."


    The Princess turned towards me, a wry smile on her lips as she shook her head.


    Gesturing towards therge gathering of students in the center of the room, I asked "Well, should we get going?"


    Sighing, Jahi nodded, stepping off the tform as she looked around.


    "I have a feeling this year is going to be rather boring..."


    Her amethyst eyes fell on a some of the students, her lips curling in distaste.


    Anput just grinned up at Jahi, purring "Well, we''ll just have to make it fun, hmm~?"


    The demoness returned her grin, before sighing when Leone and I stared at her.


    "Fine, fine... Hah... Let''s go..."


    Jahi dejectedly led the way towards the Vice-Headmaster, only to hear "Jahi~"


    We all turned to see Draka making her way towards us, the Lamia and her two maids following behind her.


    Nodding to the Ducal Heiress, Jahi tilted her head as she asked "Did you need something Draka?"


    Shaking her head, the white Dragonkin replied "Nah, just felt like I should introduce you to them. Mainly since I feel like I''ll hate my time here if I''m forced to associate with Ulysses."


    Chuckling, Jahi looked over the Lamia with curious eyes, nodding to the woman.


    "Lady Asssmodia... It''ssss a pleasssure~"


    Lifting the hems of her dress slightly, the Lamia gave Jahi as good a curtsy as she could, making Drakaugh.


    "This is the future Countess of Meduso County, the smallnd down south where most Lamia''s live. Her name is Rialo Meduso, and she is my wife~!"


    The Lamia''s olive skin flushed slightly as she looked down at Draka, her slitted tongue flicking out as she covered her face.


    "SSSStop it Draka~"


    We all chuckled slightly at her flustered expression, only for Anput and Leone to be flustered as Jahi said "Come on Draka, only one? I have two wonderful wives, with a third on the way~"


    Draka looked over the stiff figures of Anput and Leone, before looking at me.


    Nodding to her, she chuckled as she turned back to Jahi.


    "Well, this is a... hunting grounds, of sorts. I''ve already found a few interesting women in the crowd... Anyways, we should go; maybe we''ll be able to grab seats together~!"


    Walking besides Jahi, they started talking to one another, Rialo slithering besides them with a shy expression.


    Fresca and the other maid walked with me, and I gave Fresca a small smile.


    "So, how''s life with your new Mistress~?"


    She turned red, biting her lip as she muttered "Wonderfully demanding..."


    Chuckling, the other maid, a tall, lithe woman with golden hair and droopy eyes, said "Yes, it''s been quite entertaining with Lady Draka... Fresca and I have enjoyed ourselves immensely. Ah, I should introduce myself, hmm? I''m Poshka."


    "Katherine."


    She nodded at me, her emerald eyes filled with mirth as she looked down at the slight trembling, flustered figure of Fresca.


    "Come now sister, surely you''ve grown past being embarrassed by this?"


    Fresca red up at Poshka, saying "No, I haven''t! Why are you so-"


    "Fresca?"


    Hearing Draka call her name, the short brown haired maid whipped her head towards Draka, only to blush furiously as she looked at the floor.


    The Dragonkin walked up to her maid, gently lifting her head by the chin.


    "What has you so uptight, dear?"


    I smiled as I saw Poshka cover her lips, mirth in her eyes as she watched Fresca squirm under Draka''s intense gaze.


    Not getting an answer, Draka released Fresca, looking at Poshka with narrowed eyes.


    "Don''t tease your sister so much, Poshka."


    The tall blonde maid nodded, her face serious as she said "Of course Mistress."


    Rolling her eyes, Draka walked back to Jahi and Rialo, resuming the conversation.


    Chuckling, Poshaka looked at the red Fresca with amusement, before saying "Katherine, isn''t her blushing face just so cute~?"


    I nodded, making Fresca clench her fists as she pouted at us.


    We chuckled, before finally reaching the Vice-Headmaster.


    "Ah, is that everyone? Hmm... Yes, it looks like it. Alright now, follow me; the Academy isrge, so please stick close. Some rooms are... dangerous to enter unsupervised."


    We all nodded, before walking out of therge auditorium.


    The halls were lit from golden sconces on the walls, magic crystals glowing from the edges, creating a rainbow light.


    Various doors could be seen on either side, small ques denoting their upants.


    ''Professor Cramsa; Alchemy''


    ''Professor Fishka; Swordy, Magic Theory IV''


    ''Professor Liako; Swordy II - IV, Combat Theory, Monsterology I - III''


    Seeing the name of Kolia''s sister, I chuckled at how different they appeared; Kolia was a tried and true mage, likely teacher of the more advanced magic sses, while her sister taught Physical sses.


    Reaching the end of the hall, I saw that the door we stood before was more ornate then the others, and the que wasrger.


    ''Vice-Headmaster Bijilo; Magic Theory I, Ritual Circles I - IV, Advanced Wind Magic''


    Opening the door, Vice-Headmaster Bijilo gestured for us to enter therge room, smiling at us.


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