That day, the open yard of the school building in Beysolun was filled with children and teenagers streaming in, their faces brimming with hope and spirit. The sound of footsteps and low murmurs buzzed through the crowd. Some greeted each other, while others looked awkward, unaccustomed to being in such a gathering. The students' ages varied greatly, from those just turning ten to teenagers of seventeen.
In the middle of the field stood a line of volunteers. They wore simple robes of deep blue, a symbol of their fellowship and dedication to this educational cause. Among them was Alarisse, the young mage known as the driving force behind this school, standing next to Firan, a local volunteer who often helped at the market. On the other side was the school's leader, Thadric Solis, a man in his early thirties with dark brown hair and a gaze that was sharp yet warmly inviting.
Thadric stepped into the center of the field, looking over the children now seated neatly on the simple wooden benches provided. His voice was loud and clear as he spoke, echoing across the area.
"Welcome to the Beysolun Open School! Today is a historic day," he said, his smile reflecting pride and relief. "Not just for us who have struggled to make it a reality, but for you, the children of Beysolun, who are part of this new beginning."
A cheerful round of applause sounded, though some students were still too shy to join in the euphoria.
Thadric continued, his voice growing more emotional, "Many of you know the journey to establish this school was not easy. For years, the idea was stalled, even deemed impossible by some. But thanks to the hard work of many, and your own courage in being here today, we have proven that education is a right for everyone!"
Some parents at the edge of the field were seen wiping away tears, feeling the profound weight of the moment.
Thadric then glanced toward Alarisse and the other volunteers. "We could not have done this alone. This school is funded by charity groups and volunteers who have worked tirelessly for you. We hope this place becomes the start of great change, not just for Beysolun, but for all your futures."
Yet, behind this spirited welcome, Thadric knew the dark history surrounding the project. The previous Beysolun regional government, under the leadership of Veren Halcoyne, had been its greatest obstacle. Veren, a conservative leader who ruled Beysolun for over two decades, was known for his harsh policies against magic-based education and social reform.
"Our predecessor had a different view of what was best for this city," Thadric continued, his tone cautious. "Many believed preserving tradition meant shutting the door to change. But today, we prove that tradition and progress can walk hand in hand. We respect the past, but we will not let it halt our future."
Though Thadric didn't mention Veren by name, everyone knew who he meant. Veren had died several months ago in his old age, after living as a figure both respected and controversial. His death, though reported as due to old age, remained a mystery, as many had wanted him gone long before his time.
His successor, Eldain Corvus, who had previously served as his deputy, had instead become a primary driver for the school's establishment. Eldain was known for his progressive views, and though he had only been in leadership for a few months, he had brought a fresh wind to Beysolun.
Thadric closed his speech with a stirring declaration, "This school is yours. A place to dream, to learn, and to grow. Five days a week, we will gather here. We start simply, with basic learning like writing, reading, and arithmetic. But remember, this is only the beginning. In time, we will open more doors, including the study of magic and the arts. We will build the future together."
Applause filled the air again, this time more boisterous. The children grew excited, imagining what they would learn in the days to come.
Among the crowd, Neir sat in the middle row. The little girl listened to every word from Thadric with rapt attention. But her mind suddenly drifted. In her thoughts surfaced the image of Dani, the mysterious person she had once met in her dream. Though she didn't fully understand her connection to Dani, Neir felt something linking them. Her reverie was broken when Tira, a girl her age, poked her arm.
"Neir! Hey, were you daydreaming?" asked Tira, suppressing a laugh.
Neir startled, then offered an awkward smile. "Ah, no... I was just thinking."
"You had such a funny look on your face!" said Tira with a small chuckle.
Neir scratched her head, smiling along. They chatted briefly about how happy they were to finally be in school. "I want to be a mage one day," Tira said enthusiastically. "Imagine if I could turn into a bird and fly around the world!"
Neir gave a small laugh at Tira's innocent dream, though in her heart, she too held great hopes for the future.
---
Thadric's speech reached its peak as the crowd of new students and volunteers watched him with rapt attention. He stood on the small platform with a clenched fist, as if channeling his spirit to everyone.
"Look at all of you," he exclaimed, his voice vibrating with emotion. "Children, teenagers, even those of you who came with doubts—today is the start of a great change for Beysolun! This city, which once closed its doors to education and magic, now opens a path for your dreams. What lies ahead is a fresh page, and you will fill it with the ink of hope!"
Small cheers began to sound from the back rows, but Thadric didn't stop. He stepped forward, looking at each face before him with a firm gaze.
"For years, we lived under the shadow of harsh rules. Education was forbidden, magic scorned, and Beysolun was stuck in the past. But today, we start something new! This school is free, supported by charity groups and volunteers who believe you deserve a chance to learn!"
The cheers grew louder, and Thadric's smile widened.
"Five days a week, from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon, you will learn. At first, it may feel difficult. But believe me, every letter you write, every word you read, will become the foundation of a better future. We will start with the basics: writing, reading, and arithmetic. And one day, you will learn about magic. Yes, magic! Because the new Beysolun will be a place where knowledge and magic can walk side by side!"
The atmosphere grew raucous. The students, who had earlier seemed nervous, now cheered with spirit.
Thadric raised his hand again for attention. "But remember, this is just the beginning. This school's success is in your hands. So, prove that we are capable!"
A final cheer echoed across the field. As Thadric stepped down from the platform, a satisfied smile shone on his face.
---
Class Allocation
After Thadric's speech, a silver-haired woman stepped forward. She was Nirea, one of the volunteers tasked with guiding the class allocation. With graceful steps, she stood in the middle of the field.
"Good morning, everyone," she said in a soft yet authoritative voice. "Now, we will divide you into class groups. This process may seem random, but trust that it has been carefully designed."
She raised both hands, and a greenish light began to glow from her palms, forming a large circle in the air. With eyes closed, Nirea moved her fingers as if writing in the air, creating intricate patterns.
"Etherium," she whispered softly, yet clearly enough for those in front to hear. "Part the paths of those who differ, connect hearts that resonate."
The light shattered into tiny fragments, drifting like specks of glowing dust. Each fragment flew low, circling the students before coming to a stop above their heads. As the circle of light faded, small groups naturally began to form.
Neir looked around in wonder. The green light floating above her felt warm, as if embracing her. When she looked beside her, Tira was standing there, her face glowing with joy.
"Neir! We're in the same class!" Tira exclaimed, nearly jumping with delight.
Neir gave a small smile, relieved to have a friend in her new class.
Nirea opened her eyes and smiled at the crowd. "The class allocation is complete. Please follow the volunteer who will lead you to your respective classrooms."
---
Meeting Alarisse
Neir and Tira's group was directed toward a simple room in a corner of the main building. As the classroom door opened, Neir immediately recognized the figure standing at the front of the class, and her eyes widened in an instant.
Sister Alarisse?
The young woman turned, and an identical look of surprise flashed across her face. Her gaze met Neir's, as if confirming she wasn't seeing things. However, the astonishment lasted only a moment before her professional smile returned.
"Welcome," she said, though there was a slight pause in her voice. "My name is Alarisse, and I will be your homeroom teacher. Please come in and choose your seats."
Neir was still processing this. She had suspected Alarisse might have an important role here, but being her homeroom teacher? That was completely unexpected.
Meanwhile, Tira, unaware of the strange undercurrent between them, eagerly pulled Neir's hand toward a desk in the middle. "Let's sit here! We can see the blackboard clearly from here."
Neir complied, though she occasionally glanced toward the front of the class. Alarisse also seemed to steal glances at her from time to time. "Who would have thought the world could be this small," Neir mused silently.
She followed along without much talk, feeling slightly nervous in this new environment.
Once all the students were seated, Alarisse picked up a piece of chalk and began writing the alphabet on the blackboard with graceful movements.
"Today, we will start from the basics," she said, turning around to face the students with a gentle smile. "We will learn to recognize letters. For those of you who have never learned before, that's perfectly fine. We will do this together."
Neir stared at the letters on the blackboard with shining eyes. She felt something unfamiliar, a spark of excitement growing slowly within her. Tira, beside her, was already busy trying to copy the letters with a small piece of charcoal on a sheet of paper.
The first day had only just begun, but Neir knew this was the start of something extraordinary.
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