As Sabastian concluded his introduction and returned to his seat, Natasha rose with a confident sparkle in her eyes, gracefully stepping forward before the class. A bright smile graced her face as she performed a polite bow.
"Greetings, fellow disciples and esteemed teachers! My name is Natasha Ikazuchi, a first-year disciple, eager to master the intricate arts of lightning magic. I live with my family in the quaint Nuzzle Village, a place nestled among whispering pines and gentle streams. My father serves as an Arcane Commander, leading the Iron Lotus Division of the esteemed Silver Heaven Imperial Army."
"My ambition is to become a powerful Thunder Magus, just like my father. And, of course, to fulfill my ultimate dream of marrying my beloved childhood sweetheart, Shaun. He's over there, and I dare any other girls to try their luck with him, or they will have to face me!" she proclaimed boldly, pointing directly at Shaun.
A collective gasp rippled through the classroom. Shaun's face turned a deep crimson, and his eyes widened in astonishment.
"W-wait, what? Oh, no... Natasha, what are you doing?" he stammered.
The classroom erupted into excited chatter. "Did she just…? A public confession! Incredible!" Some giggled.
Others whispered teasingly. Even Sakura Rosered covered her mouth to suppress a giggle, her eyes twinkling at the display.
Maya's sharp voice cut through the noise. "Silence! Miss Ikazuchi, I admire your enthusiasm, but this is a ceremony of academic introductions, not a matrimonial announcement. Kindly conclude your introduction appropriately."
Natasha's confident stance faltered. Her cheeks flushed as she bowed slightly. "Oh! Right! My apologies, Lady Grandmaster. I look forward to making many new friends here," she said softly.
Soft chuckles followed as she returned to her seat. Shaun whispered under his breath, still blushing, "This is going to be a long semester…"
But Katherine Dragonblade's voice pierced the room, dripping with contempt.
"Absurd… utterly absurd! Ikazuchi? An aristocrat, tarnishing her heritage by considering marriage with a… commoner? And that earlier boy… a fisherman's son, daring to aspire here among nobility? Truly, the academy has lost all sense of order. Love and ambition — things only for those of proper lineage — and even then, seldom tolerated!"
Her words cut through the room, leaving a heavy, oppressive silence. Lady Maya's eyes flashed, ready to intervene, but before she could, Shaun stood, his gaze unwavering.
"Lady Katherine," Shaun began, his voice steady yet charged with conviction, "with all due respect, every disciple here — whether noble or commoner — has earned their place. Respect is not given by birthright; it is earned through effort, determination, and heart."
The room went silent. Katherine's eyes widened, caught off guard. Shaun continued, his tone firm yet respectful.
"As a mentor, you should inspire disciples to reach their potential, to challenge themselves, and to achieve greatness. To belittle them because of their lineage or status is a failure of duty, not a mark of superiority."
Katherine's lips thinned dangerously. "And who are you to lecture me, boy? Speak your name."
Shaun straightened, his black eyes steady. "I am Shaun Thunderhawk, son of a farmer from Nuzzle Village. I aspire to become a powerful Magus, not through privilege, but through diligence, skill, and unwavering resolve. And if standing here to defend my friends and every disciple's dignity seems bold… then so be it."
A tense silence gripped the classroom. Katherine's eyes widened in fury, her lips twitching with indignation. "Insolent brat…" she began, but before her words could strike, Maya's commanding voice cut through the air.
"Lady Katherine, enough! Is it truly so difficult to accept that one might pursue dreams beyond rigid societal norms? Your view of love and ambition is narrow and outdated. True love rises above distinctions of birth or wealth, and those who cherish one another will brave any storm. Likewise, true achievement is earned through effort and determination — not inheritance or title."
She turned to Shaun, her tone softening with approval. "And you, boy… your courage and perception are commendable. But remember, respect for your mentors is paramount. Let your words be sharp with conviction, yet tempered with courtesy."
Shaun bowed deeply, a respectful smile forming. "Yes, Lady Grandmaster. I meant no disrespect. I only wished to defend those unfairly maligned. If my words seemed improper, I sincerely apologize."
Maya's eyes sparkled with quiet pride. Even in the face of authority, Shaun had spoken the truth without fear, with dignity.
Katherine seethed, gripping her fan tightly. Peasant boy… I will remember your name. You will pay for this insolence. And you, Maya Flamefox, always shielding those filthy commoners. Were it not for your position, I would have crushed you long ago. Love… sacred bond… such naïve fantasies. Pure and unadulterated naïveté.
**********
"So, who will be gracing us with their introduction next?" After Natasha concluded her introduction, Maya turned to the disciples and asked.
A hush fell in the classroom, then a chair scraped as Shaun stood up from his seat with a determined flicker in his usually timid eyes. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, and advanced with a hesitant but determined gait.
As Shaun neared the front, Natasha, making her way towards him, smiled and extended his hand for a swift, encouraging high-five as they passed each other. Maya and Sakura looked at him with proud and curious eyes, while Katherine looked at him in disdain, remembering his earlier defiance. Shaun Thunderhawk, clad in his black vest and white gii, approached the stage.
"Good luck, Shaun. Show them what you got," Natasha, now seated, flashed him a quick, encouraging thumbs-up. As Shaun reached the front and turned to face his new classmates, a wave of whispers began to ripple through the classroom.
"Shaun? Is that really the same boy that crazy girl has been raving about?"
"Yes. That's her future fiancé! I'd bet my last copper! Look at him, all red-faced!"
"Go on, lover boy! Don't be shy! She is waiting, you know! Don't keep your girlfriend in suspense! She practically declared her feelings for you!"
"He was so rude to Lady Katherine. How disrespectful. That commoner has some nerves to even face us after what he just did. How shameful of him."
A ripple of soft giggles, disdain, and hushed whispers grew into a low chorus of playful jabs and laughter. The room burst into a symphony of taunts, with words "lover boy", "arrogant commoner", and "confession" echoing off the academy's walls.
Shaun stood at the front, feeling like a deer caught in the flickering lights of the classroom. His face grew increasingly flushed.
Maya, observing his position, allowed a faint, nearly undetectable smile to play on her lips. Her eyes twinkled with a hint of amusement, yet she remained silent, letting the disciples explore their youthful dynamics.
"Oh, did you hear that girl earlier? And the way he stood up for him? Bold, weren't they both? Declaring her feelings and his support right off the bat," Sakura said, her lips curling into a mischievous smirk.
"Indeed, Sakura. Quite… bold. Though, I daresay it stirred quite a storm. Poor boy, so flustered, he looks like a ripe tomato. Judging by the mixed comments, he has quite the admirer already," Maya said, raising an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her usual stern gaze.
"Ah! With the new season, the winds are truly shifting in the Silver Heaven Region. A fresh flock of birds has arrived. But this one bird… he's quite exceptional and mysterious. I feel, deep in my heart, history is about to be rewritten," Master Kunochi nodded sagely, stroking his wispy beard and eyes sparkling with wisdom.
Kunochi's words, thick with unspoken meaning, hung in the air. Maya and Sakura, their attention drawn by their senior teacher's pronouncements.
"History rewritten? Those are strong words. Master Kunochi, what do you mean?" Maya asked, turning to him, her usual composure slightly rattled.
"Exceptional and mysterious… Now you've piqued my interest. You always have a knack for riddles, Master Kunochi," Sakura's playful demeanour faded, replaced by intrigue.
But Master Kunochi merely offered a cryptic smile, his gaze drifting towards Shaun, who stood at the front.
"Time will reveal all, my dear children. Just watch the Almighty's unfolding story."
Maya and Sakura, briefly distracted by the wise master's words, soon turned their focus back to Shaun, who was at the front of the classroom, clearly uncomfortable.
A wave of suppressed laughter rippled through the disciples, some whispering about Natasha's earlier outburst, which only amplified Shaun's discomfort. Maya sensed his unease, and a protective instinct stirred within her. She rose from her seat, her movements graceful and commanding.
"Alright, everyone, please be quiet! Let the young man introduce himself," her voice, though not loud, carried an undeniable authority that cut through the chatter.
The room fell silent, an almost immediate hush descending as Maya's presence asserted itself. All eyes turned to her, then back to Shaun. Maya then faced him and offered a small, encouraging nod.
"Boy, you may continue when you are ready. Take your time, there's no rush."
"Thank you, Lady Grandmaster Maya," Shaun, touched by Maya's kindness, bowed deeply with profound gratitude.
Maya settled back in her seat, a faint smile gracing her lips. Her gaze was unwavering as Shaun prepared to speak. A subtle anticipation hung in the air.
"This is it. This is my chance," Shaun whispered, his fists clenching with resolve.
"You've got this, Shaun!" Natasha smiled, offering an encouraging wave from her seat.
"Show them what you're made of, my friend," Sabastian said, offering a subtle but firm thumbs-up. Shaun felt a surge of warmth. He shut his eyes and took a deep, shaky breath.
Right, I can do this. I must do this. This is it. No turning back now, Shaun thought as he opened his eyes, filled with resolve. Drawing courage from Natasha's unwavering belief in him, he faced the sea of unfamiliar faces, cleared his throat, bowed, and began.
"Greetings, esteemed teachers and fellow disciples. My name is Shaun Thunderhawk. I am a first-year disciple at Silver Heaven Academy, aspiring to master the intricate arts of thunder magic."
"I come from a small farming family in Nuzzle Village, and my… my dream is to be… you see, my dream is to… is to… to become…"
Suddenly, Shaun's words trailed off as his mind went completely blank. His voice wavered, and a stutter escaped. A chilling wave of anxiety engulfed him, freezing his thoughts. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The eager faces surrounding him started to blur.
**********