{Elira}
~**^**~
This ti, the professors filed in one after another. I saw familiar faces: the triplet brothers, combat instructors, scent-tracking specialists, even lecturers I had only glimpsed from afar.
And behind them was the administrative staff.
Then ca the vice-chancellor. Her presence seed to weigh the air itself.
The hall stirred with restless whispers, the kind that built and spread like fire until nearly every student was leaning toward their neighbor.
Nari bent toward , her whisper sharp and quick. "Okay, that’s a lot of staff. What in the Moon’s na is happening?"
The whispers cut short the mont the vice-chancellor stepped forward and stopped behind the lectern with the kind of calm that carried authority without needing to demand it, her long robe trailing softly behind her.
"Students of ESA," she began, her voice steady and resonant, carrying across the wide hall. "I know the cancellation of classes this afternoon has caused unease. But I assure you that it is for good reason."
The silence in the room thickened. Every eye was fixed on her.
"We are gathered here today," she continued, pausing just long enough for anticipation to build, "to prepare for one of the most important traditions of this academy. In two months’ ti, we will celebrate ESA’s Founder’s Day."
At once, the hall seed to shift. A low wave of murmurs broke out. So students nodding knowingly, others whispering in confusion, especially the first-years.
The vice-chancellor lifted a hand, and the noise died again.
"Founder’s Day is not simply a commoration of our school’s birth. It is a test. A asure of strength, unity, and honor among all who walk these halls." Her gaze swept across the sea of students, sharp enough to silence even those who had only been mouthing questions to their friends.
"This year, as is tradition, there will be trials. So will be individual, others in groups. Each year, they are designed to remind us not only of who we are, but of what it ans to bear the na of ESA."
Beside , Nari sat forward eagerly, eyes shining like she was already imagining her na on so banner. Cambria’s brow creased in thought, while Juniper rested her chin on her palm, as though trying not to look too curious. Tamryn, as usual, remained unreadable.
The vice-chancellor pressed on. "Details of the trials will be revealed in due ti. For now, you are to prepare yourselves. Train harder. Focus sharper. And rember, what is tested on Founder’s Day will echo beyond these walls."
The last words seed to ripple through the room, weighty enough to anchor themselves in my chest. But the silence didn’t last.
A ripple of relief spread across the hall.
"So it’s not expulsions after all," soone whispered a few rows in front of , their shoulders dropping.
"Thank the goddess," another muttered, laughter breaking nervously in their throat.
Nari exhaled dramatically, clutching her chest. "I swear I was ready to pack my things. ESA students can gossip worse than grannies in a market square."
Her comnt earned quiet chuckles from our row, but the truth was plain: everyone had been bracing for bad news, to hear instead about Founder’s Day trials. It was daunting, yes, but also survivable.
The murmur of voices quieted again when Zenon stepped onto the stage.
His tall fra and composed stride drew instant attention, and though he didn’t raise his voice, the hall stilled as though pulled taut.
"As Dean of Studies," he began, his tone clipped yet clear, "I am here to inform you of the academic adjustnts that will support preparations for Founder’s Day."
He clasped his hands lightly behind his back, eyes scanning the students with asured precision.
"Effective from next week Monday, daily courses will be reduced from three hours each to two. After your first session, you will have one hour for lunch. Following your second class, the remaining two hours of the school day will be dedicated to Founder’s Day preparations."
The whispering started almost imdiately; relieved, curious, and so even excited.
Zenon’s gaze narrowed ever so slightly, and the room settled once more.
"This change will remain in effect until Founder’s Day concludes. Thereafter, your titable will return to its usual structure."
His eyes lingered on the rows of students, steady as steel. "I trust you will use this ti wisely. For many of you, this will be your first trial. Treat it with the gravity it deserves."
Even with the weight of his words, a faint current of excitent buzzed through the hall.
"Two-hour classes," Nari whispered fiercely, tugging at Cambria’s sleeve. "That’s practically a dream."
Cambria hushed her, though the hint of a smile tugged at her lips.
For , though, Zenon’s last words pressed heavier than the laughter or sighs of relief.
This wasn’t just about schedule changes. Founder’s Day would be a test. And from the way he said it, a dangerous one.
A few monts later, the vice-chancellor stepped forward again, lifting her hand slightly for silence. "One last note before we dismiss you all."
The restless murmurs stilled. Imdiately.
"Like I said earlier, Founder’s Day is not only an academy tradition. Rather, it is also an occasion that places ESA on display before the eyes of the world. Your behavior and your discipline, both in the trials and outside of them, will reflect not just on you, but on all of us."
Then her gaze swept the hall, sharp enough to make so students shift in their seats.
"This year," she went on, her voice carrying firmly, "we will be honored by the presence of esteed dignitaries, including ambassadors, high-ranking alphas, and our very own king."
Gasps and cheers rippled instantly through the hall. A wave of clapping followed, excitent crackling like lightning.
Juniper leaned closer, her tone dry but pointed. "I can already picture Princess Kaelis smiling proudly until her face cracks."
Nari smothered a laugh behind her hand, while Tamryn just gave the faintest roll of her eyes.
The clapping soon died down, and the vice-chancellor lifted her hand again.
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