Sam woke up just before sunrise the next morning, the excitement and also nervousness waking him up earlier than usual. He spent the extra time he had making sure he had everything ready for his first homeroom class.
Sam put on his uniform and formal blazer checking to make sure he had put it on correctly in the mirror. He studied his reflection for a moment noticing that the blazer made him look older. Once satisfied he spent some time going over everything he needed to know for the day ahead. The location of the homeroom classroom, the time they would be going over to the event hall and everything in between. Before heading out he had a quick breakfast which was just a couple of pieces of bread he had bought yesterday.
It was around 8:15am when he left his dorm room and headed for the academic building to attend his homeroom class. He wasn’t the only one who had this idea and Sam was soon stuck in a line of other students trying to get down the stairs of the dorm. It was a little over 15 minutes for Sam to manage to get out of the dorm building and into the academic building.
Sam went up to the second floor of the academic building and began looking for classroom 2-4. Luckily since all the rooms had placards on them displaying the room number on it, Sam was able to find the classroom quickly despite starting off heading in the wrong direction. Sam stood in front of the classroom doors and took a deep breath knowing that this was finally where the new chapter of his life began. He steadied himself taken another deep breath and then walked into the classroom.
When he entered he was met with only one other person, the home room teacher. “Good morning, I see you’re the first student to arrive this morning. It is nice to meet you. My name is Bertrand Deveer, and I will be your homeroom teacher for this year. I am also the teacher for first and second year Mathematics and Finance” he said introducing himself. “Good morning to you to sir. My name is Samuel Holdridge” Sam replied. “I see, well Samuel, please feel free to sit wherever you like this morning. First come first served as they say, huhhuhhuhhuh” he laughed merrily. “Okay, will do” Sam replied as he eyed the rows of seats. The classroom seats were elevated as they went back to ensure students’ vision wasn’t obscured by those in front of them.
Sam considered for a moment the best place to sit. He didn’t want to be too close to the front as it would mean a bit too much attention would be on him however he also didn’t want to sit at the back as that tended to be where the troublesome students sat. He knew from experience as there was a group of troublemakers during his time at the junior academy in Rimour that sat at the back and constantly caused problems in class. Eventually Sam settled on sitting centrally on the fourth row out of the ten, which should keep him away from the troublemakers but keep him mostly out of the attention of the professor.
Sam sat in his seat waiting for the start of homeroom and for more students began showing up so he could introduce himself. The next student to enter was coincidentally the other scholarship student this year. Sam decided to get up to greet him as he entered. “Good morning, my names Samuel but everyone calls me Sam. I’m one of the scholarship students” Sam said. “Good morning, my name is Bryce Morton. I guess you could say I’m the other Scholarship student” he said as he stuck his hand out. Sam took his hand and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you Bryce. What a coincidence that the two scholarship students are the first to arrive” Sam replied. “I think it’s because we’re scholarship students that we’re the first ones here” he said jokingly. “I suppose you’re probably right” Sam said as he returned to his seat with Bryce electing to sit next to him.
“So, Bryce, where about in the country are you from?” Sam asked him. “I’m from Urpeshia which is a town located within the Sallimar Dutchy” Bryce explained. “What about you?”. “I’m from a village called Kait within the Baxton Dutchy which is located along the border with the Kingdom of Great Jardish, the closest town is Rimour.” Sam replied. “I think I’ve heard of Rimour. My father owns a trading company, and I think I’ve heard Rimour mentioned in regard to delivering goods. It’s in the Nouman Barony right?” Bryce asked. “That’s right, Kait’s just south of it” Sam said.
Just before Sam could continue the flow of students entering the classroom picked up and he became distracted as he was meeting some of the new classmates that walked by him as they went to find their own seats. Some of them, however, looked quite unapproachable so Sam elected to stay away from them but there were a fair few more that appeared friendly enough.
Before too long the classroom had filled up and Professor Deveer took his place in front of a lectern in the center of the room in front of them. As he did the chatter filling the room died down and the students focus turned to the front as he began to speak. “Good morning everyone. Welcome to The Keivanian Royal Academy. My name is Professor Bertrand Deveer and I will be your homeroom teacher for this year. I will also be your teacher for the Mathematics and Finance class this year. Now before we go around the room for introductions there are two more students who will be joining us this year” he said as the door to the room opened once more. “Please welcome Princess Alice Keivania third princess of Keivania to the classroom” he announced.
All eyes turned towards the door as they rose from their seats Sam copying everyone else as he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to be doing when meeting a royal. Much like everyone else he turned his attention from the professor to the door in anticipation of the princess’s entrance into the classroom.
As the princess walked through the doorway Sam was startled by a sudden recognition of the person before him and suddenly everything began to click into place. The Princess that entered the room was none other than the noble girl he had helped back in Rimour. His mind flashed back to the day he had first met her and when she had introduced herself. She only ever provided him with her first name and nothing more. This must have been the reason why she had only told him her first name. Sam watched on as she walked into the room followed by another girl who was also wearing the academy uniform.
Sam watched as the two girls entered and took their place standing next to the professor with the second girl a half step further back than the princess. For a split second the princess locked eyes with Sam giving him a quick smile before the professor spoke again. “Please welcome Princess Alice Keivania and her attendant Chloe von Doumei”. All the students gave a quick bow to the princess before they returned to their seats.
The princess took a step forward and addressed the class. “Pleased to meet you all. My name is Alice Keivania Third Princess of the Kingdom of Keivania. I look forward to studying with you all these next four years” she said before stepping back.
“Please take your seat your highness and I will begin this first morning homeroom session” the Professor said. Alice walked up towards the desks closely followed by Chloe. She stopped and sat in the desk directly next to Sam with Chloe sitting on the opposite side of her. “It’s nice to see you again Sam. I do hope we can continue to get along” Alice said as she gave him a warm smile. Sam struggled to think of a quick response and was luckily saved when the professor spoke again.
Professor Deveer took up his place back behind the lectern before starting his explanation. “Alright, first I will go over the plan for today and then we will do some introductions. Now at 10am we will travel as a class to the event hall where we will all sit together. As we’re the first of the junior classes we will go in first, which means we will have to wait the longest both before and after the ceremony.
Once the opening ceremony has come to an end and we have exited the events hall you will break for lunch. The opening ceremony is supposed to go for about an hour however it could run longer depending on speeches and such. I will confirm with you before we leave what time you will need to be back at the classroom by. Once you have had your lunch break and returned to the classroom we will go through homeroom duty assignments and class schedules. Once we have done that homeroom will end and you will be free to return to your dormitory rooms or residences for the remainder of the afternoon. Now does anyone has any questions?”
After Sam and his classmates had done their introductions they had a few minutes left before they had to leave for the opening ceremony. Sam decided to take this opportunity to ask Alice whether she was the one responsible for his scholarship to the academy. “Um, excuse me your highness” Sam began before immediately getting cut off. “You can just call me Alice. We’re friends after all, right Sam?” she interjected. “Um, right… I was just wondering if you had anything to do with my… scholarship for the academy?” Sam questioned awkwardly.
“Yes, of course it was me. I had to reward you for saving me now didn’t I?” she replied. “What kind of Princess would I be if I didn’t reward someone who saved my life?”. “I see, I suppose, but still it’s quite a hefty reward” Sam replied still surprised at the sudden reveal. “I would have given you a better reward if was able to but as I’m only the third princess I was limited to what I could do for you” she said. “Oh, I see” Sam replied again his brain working overtime to try and figure out what to say as he stumbled over his words. “Well, thank you then, for the reward. I’m looking forward to my time here” he said. “No, problem, I’m looking forward to my time here too. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun. Oh, did you take the” she began before being interrupted as Professor Deveer called out to the class.
“Alright everyone, please come down to the front of the classroom and line up. At the front of the line will be Princess Alice with the two scholarship students lining up behind her followed by Chloe. The rest of you can line up in whatever order you would like but please be quick about it, we don’t have time for any dawdling” he said. Sam quickly got to his feet and made room for Alice to get out in front of him. They descended the stairs and lined up behind the professor who was standing by the door. Alice was in front of Sam with Bryce behind him. He guessed that they would also be sitting in this order as well, which he was glad for as it would be nice to sit by people he had already begun to get to know instead of someone he was completely unfamiliar with.
Once the line had been formed Professor Deveer directed them to follow him out of the classroom and out the front entrance of the academic building and over towards the events hall. As the end of their classes line passed the other classrooms they also left their classroom and joined the back of the line headed towards the event hall. Before long they had arrived at their destination and were waiting in line outside the front entrance of the event hall. There was a bit of a hold up as they waited for administration staff to let them in. Sam listened in to their conversation and overheard that they were waiting for the Royal Guard to confirm they could enter. It took Sam a few moments of contemplation before realizing why this might be. The first letter he had received originally when he received his scholarship stated that parents were invited to attend some of the academy’s events held on campus. With that then being the case perhaps Alice’s family would be in attendance which would explain why they were waiting for the royal guards to give the go ahead for the students to enter. He decided to ask Alice whether she knew anything about it.
“Hey Alice, are any members of your family going to be in attendance for the opening ceremony?” Sam asked her. Alice looked back at him for a moment before turning around and answering his question. “As far as I know my mother Queen Anabella and my brother Crown Prince James will be in attendance today. This is the first time either of them has been to the academy so security might be a bit tighter than normal and they’re likely double and triple checking everything before allowing us entry into the events hall” she explained. “I see, I heard that there was another Prince who goes to the academy are they not also here to see him?” Sam asked immediately regretting his words as he realized he was probably overstepping his boundaries. Expecting a rebuke Sam braced himself however Alice provided him with a genuine answer which made it sound like the question hadn’t bothered her in the slightest. “Bertrand my other brother who is also attending the academy is only my half-brother. I only have one full brother which is Prince James. Bertrand is the son of one of my father’s other wives. I’m also the second oldest of my mother’s the Queens children” she explained nonchalantly. “Oh, I see” Sam replied not quite knowing how to follow up leaving the conversation to come to an end there.
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After another five minutes of waiting and a steady increase of people lining up out the front of the events hall, one of the members of the royal guard exited the building and gave the green light to the administration staff to start allowing people into the hall. The Professor and their class were guided to a row of chairs a couple of rows back from the front where they took their seats with the professor sitting on the aisle side of the row of chairs.
Once Sam had taken his seat he had a look around the hall. Since he was focused on following the line in front of him he hadn’t paid any attention to the sights around him. As he looked around he saw that the hall had a very high roof with different mosaics depicting battles, dances and some strange symbols he had never seen before. He continued to look around and saw that there were more seats elevated above the ground floor held up by black stained timber and marble pillars. The stage in the front of the hall was large but it was fairly plain with huge red curtains tied at either side similar to that of the small theater that was in Rimour.
Another 30 minutes passed before all the chairs in the events hall’s ground floor section had been filled. It appeared like they were running quite a bit behind schedule as once all the students and faculty had arrived the parents and other people gathering to watch the opening ceremony were finally permitted entry. When it finally seemed like they were about to get underway with the ceremony since they had closed all the doors and all the guests seemed like they had arrived and were seated nothing proceeded to happen for another 15 minutes. Sam was starting to wonder how much longer they were going to have to wait when finally, something happened. The main doors to the hall opened once again and it was then that the members of the royal family who were here to watch the opening ceremony arrived.
Everyone in the hall raised from their seats as Queen Annabella and Prince James walked into the hall surrounded by guards. They ascended the stairs up to the central viewing platform. Once the royal onlookers had taken up their seats everyone else in the upper seating area sat back down again. The students sitting below did the same a moment later and sat back down again now finally ready for the start of the opening ceremony. At the same time someone from the front row climbed up on stage and took up a position behind a lectern that was sitting centrally on the stage. Sam watched as some sort of magic device built into the lectern was activated and the person standing behind it began to speak.
“Welcome all to this year’s Royal Academy opening ceremony. Please join me in welcoming the Director of the Keivanian Royal Academy Kalioli Brikter” the announcer said as his voice was boomed throughout the event hall. That must have been a magic sound enhancer or something Sam thought as he copied everyone else and began clapping.
Sam watched as a tall elven man with long blond hair wearing a maroon suit climbed up onto the stage and took his place behind the lectern. So, this is the academy director Sam thought as the director waited for the clapping to die down. Once the clapping had stopped the director stepped forward to speak.
“Esteemed faculty, honoured guests, and most importantly our students. Those who are both new to the academy this year starting their studies or those returning for another year of learning. Welcome to the Keivanian Royal Academy, I am Director Kalioli Brickter the head of this academy.
You arrive here today not merely as students, but as heirs to a legacy of greatness. Within these hallowed halls, you will not only be trained in the arts of magic and swordsmanship, but also in the disciplines that shape empires and forge legends.
Whether you take the path of a warrior, a sage, a healer, a leader or a scholar you will learn what you need to take your path forward. If you have chosen to take the dungeon diving class, you will learn to dive into the depths of ancient dungeons, where forgotten relics and untamed magic lie in wait. You will study the tactics of survival, the lore of the old world, and the courage required to face what lurks beneath. Dungeon diving is not for the faint of heart, it demands wit, strength, and an unbreakable will to push ever deeper. But those who return do so with power, prestige, wealth and the secrets of the universe.
Beyond the battlefield and the arcane, you will also be entrusted with the knowledge of territory and house management. You will learn to govern, to lead, and to balance the delicate dance of diplomacy and duty. Whether you hail from noble blood or humble beginnings, you will be taught how to steward lands, command loyalty, and shape the future of Keivania itself.
Of course, you will also study the foundations, mathematics, history, system laws, and the arts both magical and benign. For even the most gifted mage or warrior must be wise, thoughtful, and grounded in truth.
This academy is your crucible. You will be tested. You will stumble. You may even fall. But you will rise stronger, wiser, and more resolute that before. You are now part of a lineage that stretches back thousands of years to the founding of the Kingdom of Keivania and this Academy. A lineage of scholars, warriors, mages, and rulers who shaped the world with courage and conviction.
Look around at your fellow students. These are your comrades, your rivals, your future allies. Together, you will forge bonds that last a lifetime. You will clash, collaborate, and grow. And when the time comes, you will leave these gates not as students, but as legends in the making.
So, I ask you, are you ready to awaken your true skill powers? To challenge your limits? To become more than you ever imagined? If so then step forward, my students. Your story begins now. Welcome to the Keivanian Royal Academy”.
The students all stood, and a huge applause broke out once the director had finished his speech. Sam was stunned by it as were many of the other first year students, it left him feeling like he could conquer the world. He supposed that was also what it was supposed to do but it was very successful as he was itching to get out there and get to work on strengthening his skills, gaining new ones and getting ever stronger.
As the applause died down the director left the stage, and everyone returned to their seats. As silence returned to the hall the announcer climbed back onto the stage. “Alright everybody that was Director Kalioli Brikter with the opening speech. Next up we have the Student Council President Andre Hritzeem and Vice President Elizabeth Rosenfall”.
Sam watched as Elizabeth as well as a male student that was sitting in the front row stood up and headed towards the stage. The male student was a bit shorter than her and had dark brown hair and light brown skin. Sam also noticed that he had pointed ears but not to the degree of the director which made Sam wonder if he was a different ethnicity within the elven race. He wasn’t overly familiar with all the sentient nonhuman races as there were really only the main 3 that lived in Keivania. Putting those thoughts aside Sam returned his attention to the matter at hand as the student council president began his speech.
"Welcome, students both those who are new and those who are returning for another year here at the academy. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter. Whether you’ve come to master the magical arts, refine your swordsmanship, explore the depths of ancient dungeons, or pursue excellence in the academic halls, you’ve arrived at a place where ambition meets opportunity.
To our first years, I know stepping into a school where your classmates might summon lightning or duel with enchanted blades can be overwhelming. But know this, you are not alone. The Student Council is here to guide you, support you, and help you thrive. We serve as a bridge between the students and the faculty, we organize events to build community, and ensure your voice is heard in shaping your everyday life here at the academy.
If you ever feel lost, uncertain, or simply want to get involved, please come and find us. We’re not just leaders, we’re your allies. This year will challenge you more than ever before. It will stretch you to your limits. But it will also reveal your strength, your creativity, your wit and your courage. So, take a deep breath, step forward, and embrace everything the Royal Academy has to offer. On behalf of the Student Council welcome to the Royal Academy."
As the Student Council President finished his speech he stepped back from the lectern as another round of applause fille the hall. The applause died down before Elizabeth stepped forward and took the stand. Sam noticed her quickly check her pocket watch before starting her speech. “Good morning fellow students, faculty, parents and guardians. I am Elizabeth Rosenfall the Student Council Vice President. I would just like to follow up saying that new and existing student clubs will need to ensure they register before the end of the third week.
For the existing clubs all you will be required to do is submit a completed copy of the new year form including the current list of members to the student council. For newly formed clubs you will be required to complete and submit a copy of a new club form as well as an intention to join form for potential members. A total of five prospective members are required for the approval of a new club. If you have any questions, please speak to the Student Council Faculty liaison during lunch or after school in the Administration building. The club recruitment day is set for the first day of the second week. All clubs wishing to set up a stand along the pathways to the academic building must raise a request before the end of the third day of the week to allow time for them to be processed and returned” she finished as she backed away from the lectern and the announcer returned to the stand.
Sam watched as the student council president and Elizabeth left the stage and returned to their seats in the front row. Sam once again returned his focus to the stage as the announcer spoke again. “Next up we will have speeches for the year representatives. First up please welcome Princess Alice Keivania, Third Princess of The Kingdom of Keivania to the stage as the first-year representative”.
Alice got up from beside him and walked up onto the stage before taking her place behind the lectern. Sam was surprised that she was the first-year representative; not that he knew what one was mind you; and watched on as she began her speech.
"Honoured faculty, fellow students, and esteemed guests, it’s with heartfelt gratitude that I stand before you today as the first-year class representative. As a student and as a member of the royal family, I am deeply aware of the privilege and responsibility that comes with both roles. The Keivania Royal Family has long believed in the transformative power of education and strengthening our people. It is our family's honour to support this academy, not merely as benefactors, but as believers in its mission to cultivate wisdom, courage, strength and character. I am proud to say that our funding helps ensure that every student, regardless of background, has access to the resources and opportunities that make this academy exceptional.
Personally, I feel incredibly fortunate to walk these halls, to learn alongside such brilliant peers, and to be guided by mentors who inspire excellence. As the first-year representative, I pledge to listen, to serve, and to advocate for the needs and dreams of our first-year cohort. Together, we will build a foundation not only for our academic journey, but for the legacy we will leave behind. May our journey this year be marked by noble growth, steadfast unity, and the wondrous light of knowledge."
The announcer took back his position behind the lectern as Alice walked off stage to another huge round of applause. Alice headed for her seat as the applause carried through the hall almost louder than that which was given to the academy’s director. As she sat back down next to Sam, he asked her about being the first-year representative. “I didn’t realise you would be the first-year representative” Sam whispered to her. “It wasn’t really a choice but more something I was forced into. It’s really a pain and I hope I don’t get bothered too much by it. Luckily, I should only have to do it this year as for the second year on it’s an elected position and requires people to volunteer to be candidate in which I very much would like to avoid no matter what” she said having to catch her breath afterwards. It looks like Alice really didn’t want to be the first year representative Sam thought as his attention returned to the stage.
By the time the class representatives for each year had finally finished all their speeches which took quite a while as each one seemed to get longer as they went along. At the end of the ceremony the announcer had all the members of the faculty come on stage and introduce themselves. It was all quite boring and Sam was getting anxious to leave. Finally, once that had been done the opening ceremony came to an end and they were dismissed. Sadly, they were the first class to enter the hall which meant that they would be the last ones to leave as well.
As they were waiting Professor Deveer spoke to the class. “Alight everyone. The opening ceremony this year got started late and dragged on for a bit longer than originally planned so we might have to have a slightly shorter lunch than normal. It’s currently 1:07pm and will likely be 1:30pmish by time we all get out of here. So, I want everyone back at the classroom by 2:15pm as we must go over class rosters and a few other things before you can all leave for the day. Some of you might also have some questions you want answering which I will do once we have all returned to the classroom” he finished.
They all waited for the hall to empty and just as the professor had said they got out of the event hall and made their way to the dining hall. As they were leaving Sam notice some of the guards that were stationed around the hall were looking a bit flustered. He chalked it off to the heat and them having to stand out in the sun for hours before dismissing the thought from his mind.
Sam, Alice, Bryce and Chloe all walked to the dining hall together making it clear a new group had been formed in the class. Sam was glad he had been able to make some friends quickly as it was something he normally struggled with and it was a bit of a relief to not have to worry about it from now on. He was however a little worried about some of the other’s reactions to him being friends with the princess, but he was sure they wouldn’t cause any problems because of it. This was something in which Sam would soon realize he was very wrong about.
