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Mads sat in the back as usual. All of the other kids around him were turned away from him and talking to each other, so he felt like it wouldn't be noticed if he fell asleep. He took the time in between professors talking as a chance to look around around. He then fell asleep and projected himself into his non-corporeal state. Now that he thought about it, he had never tried to pass through another person before, and he didn't want to take the risk of it accidentally hurting someone, so he carefully made his way around others and down to the floor in front of the professors. He turned around and looked at all of the other students, noting the wide range of faces, talking amongst themselves, smiling at each other, or just looking around quietly.

Mads then turned back and inspected the professors. They looked as widely different as the students did: from the headmaster in his strange old-looking clothes to the serious-looking and giant combat training professor to an old man dressed in more strange clothes who was sleeping. I think I'll like him, Mads chuckled to himself.

He then looked for an exit to explore outside the auditorium, but before he made it anywhere, someone nudged him awake.

Fizban felt a prickle of magic near him, which then disappeared.

"Eh? Who's there?" He adjusted his hat so it won't cover his eyes.

"I guess I'll make my announcement then!"

Fizban strolled towards the podium.

"Hello? Is this on? Ah. Hello. Welcome everybody to the esteemed Maelstrom Academy! I am Fizban, your Mental Training professor. This subject will teach you to defend yourselves from illusions or those who will manipulate your minds and thoughts."

"I expect each and everyone of you to do your best, but most importantly, have fun in the work you do. Remember to make friends and enjoy your stay at this academy. You will not be alone in your studies, and do not be afraid or nervous to ask for help."

Fizban quickly scanned the room and briefly look at their thoughts. "Finally, be yourself at this Academy! It will only improve your ability more. The teachers will help you if you need it, and the library is there if you need to access information. Thank you for listening. I will be in my classroom, if you can find it!"

Fizban then ambled off to his classroom. He cast a spell to make the door look like part of the wall in order to give his students their first challenge.

Just as Fizban left the auditorium, a magic parchment materialised on the lap of every student present in the room.

Dear Freshman,

Congratulations on your admission to Maelstrom Academy! Culled from over 10,000 applicants, you are part of the 120 selected by the Council to be our next cohort of students.

Here is your class schedule for today.
First Period: Breakfast (Replaced by Opening Day Speech)
Second Period: Homeroom (Replaced by Opening Day Speech)
Third Period: Combat Training
Fourth Period: Mental Training
Fifth Period: Lunch
Sixth Period: Capture the Flag
Seventh Period: Capture the Flag
Eighth Period: Dinner
Ninth Period: Free Period
Tenth Period: Lights Out

You have been assigned to Class A.

P.S. Note that the schedule will change every day so be sure to keep this magic parchment in one piece.

Yours sincerely,
Headmaster

Reading the contents with mild interest, Laura rolled the parchment back into its original position and placed it into her bag gingerly. "I guess I am supposed to proceed to the classroom for Combat Training now," she muttered before asking her neighbour, "Velvet, what a great name! May I ask what class have you been assigned to?"

Zemas received a parchment and quickly scanned its contents. It was talking about his schedule and that he was assigned to Class A. He decided it would be best to head off in the direction of the Combat Training Classroom. Fortunately, he had a map so he wouldn't get lost.

Elliot realized that Karlien had walked away and suddenly remembered his schedule. He fumbled with it as he clumsily picked it up. "Class A... Combat Training... Hm, I wonder how that will go; I've never learned combat before."

He scanned down the list further. "Oh, Capture the Flag. Great." He let out a nervous chuckle before he wandered off in the direction everyone else seemed to be going. He quickly turned to someone else. "So where is this Combat Training, anyway?"

Zek looked down at his schedule, he then noticed that is had capture the flag on it. Time to do what I do best, sabatoge he thought.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to be late for class," Talia replied. She wanted to keep her abilities a secret for now, and the schedule was the perfect bail.

She glanced down at her schedule and noticed that it was Combat Training. She started to leave in the direction everyone else was, when she remembered Zek. She turned around, cracked a smile, and asked, "You coming?"

Zek looked up from his schedule "Don't worry, I'll catch up." he responded.

Zek looked around the auditorium. He took a moment to take in his surroundings, And so one story begins he thought as he made his way to his class.

Velvet quickly scanned through the parchment boredly. Mental training. This brought a frown upon her face. Anyway, might as well head to class now. Hearing Laura speak once more, she said,"Apparently I've been assigned to Class A. You?"

Neels walked onto the field where his class had assembled, and felt no small amount of joy for the enthusiasm he saw in most of the students. This is the reason I teach, Neels thought to himself.

He never betrayed such feelings to his students, however. He believed that a firm hand was the key to success, as some students needed to be pushed to achieve their potential.

"Good morning, class, and welcome to your first lesson. You may be wondering why we've assembled here on the field. As the name suggests, combat training will be where you learn to use your skills, magical or otherwise, to defend yourselves. Pray you don't ever need the skills you learn here, but be prepared to use them when you do.

"Now. Is anyone here familiar with hand-to-hand combat?"

He heard quite a few groans, as expected.

"Ah. You are disappointed not to be learning more interesting, magical abilities. Well, without the proper stance in combat, your magical abilities will mean very little. And hand-to-hand training will enable you to think creatively to face any threat. Therefore, my question still stands."

"My parents taught me some hand-to-hand combat. I've never had to use it though" replied Zemas.

Fizban appeared on the field and decided to observe the students and their skills.

"I couldn't defend myself to save my life... I've always tended to just run away from a fight," Elliot muttered. One could sense the sadness in his voice.

Karlien didn't like this teacher at all, even if he was one of her countrymen.

"I know a bit. Anyone who grows up in the poorer districts of New Hatfield has to learn to defend themselves."

A brown cat leisurely walk between the students before lying next to Fizban and putting her head on her front paw to observe them.

"I do know how to throw a few punches, I tend to use it as a last resort though, I tend to like tactical combat." Zek chimed in.