THE FIRST DAY
867 Words
The loud ringing of the university bell echoed across the campus, sending hundreds of students hurrying toward the lecture halls.
Octavia adjusted the strap of her bag as she walked beside Aurora and Arina through the beautifully paved pathways of Eldoria Royal University.
The campus was even more breathtaking in the morning.
Colourful flowers bloomed along every walkway, birds sang from the tall oak trees, and students from different kingdoms greeted one another with bright smiles. Some wore elegant robes embroidered with their family crests, while others dressed simply, carrying books almost as tall as they were.
"I think we're going to get lost," Aurora whispered dramatically.
Arina chuckled.
"You'll learn your way around in a few days."
"I hope so."
The three girls laughed as they entered one of the largest lecture halls on campus.
Rows of polished wooden seats curved around the room like an amphitheatre.
Students filled almost every seat, chatting excitedly while waiting for their lecturer.
Aurora looked around in amazement.
"There must be over two hundred students in here."
"And every one of them wants to graduate," Arina replied with a smile.
The room suddenly became silent as an elderly gentleman walked inside.
He had neatly combed silver hair, kind brown eyes, and wore a long navy academic robe.
He placed several books on the wooden desk before looking around the room.
"Good morning, students."
"Good morning, Professor," the class replied.
"My name is Professor Alistair Hawthorne, and I will be teaching Ancient History and Civilizations."
He smiled warmly.
"Welcome to Eldoria Royal University."
A few students applauded while others looked too nervous to make a sound.
Professor Hawthorne folded his hands behind his back.
"Some of you have travelled for days."
He slowly looked around the hall.
"Others have crossed kingdoms to be here."
His voice became more serious.
"But from today onward, your titles, your wealth, and your family names matter far less than your willingness to learn."
The classroom became completely silent.
"Knowledge," he continued, "is the greatest treasure a person can possess."
Octavia found herself smiling.
She already liked him.
The professor began walking slowly between the rows.
"History is often mistaken for stories about kings and battles."
He paused.
"But history is much more than that."
He picked up an old leather-bound book.
"It is truth."
He looked around the room.
"And sometimes..."
He smiled mysteriously.
"...the greatest truths become legends because people stop believing them."
Something about those words sent a strange chill through Octavia.
For a brief moment...
She remembered the ancient gate from her dreams.
She quickly pushed the thought away.
The lecture continued.
Professor Hawthorne spoke about the founding of Eldoria, the kingdoms that surrounded it, ancient trade routes, and how rivers connected cities from across the continent.
He occasionally asked students questions.
Some answered confidently.
Others struggled.
Aurora leaned closer to Octavia and whispered,
"I'm starving already."
Octavia tried not to laugh.
"We only started twenty minutes ago."
"I know."
"My stomach doesn't."
Unfortunately...
Professor Hawthorne chose that exact moment to ask,
"Miss in the blue dress."
Aurora's eyes widened.
"Would you kindly tell the class why the River Aster was so important to the development of Eldoria?"
Aurora slowly stood.
Her face turned bright red.
She looked at Octavia.
Then at Arina.
Then back at the professor.
"I..."
The classroom waited.
"I believe..."
She cleared her throat.
"...it had...water?"
For a second...
The room was completely silent.
Then laughter erupted throughout the lecture hall.
Even Professor Hawthorne couldn't stop himself from smiling.
"An excellent observation," he said kindly.
"It certainly did have water."
The students laughed even harder.
Aurora covered her face.
"I'll never recover from this."
Professor Hawthorne raised his hand, calming the room.
"The correct answer is that the river connected several kingdoms through trade, allowing Eldoria to flourish."
Aurora nodded dramatically.
"I was going to say that next."
This time, even Octavia couldn't hold back her laughter.
Arina quietly whispered,
"You survived."
"Barely."
When the lecture finally ended, the professor gave the class their first assignment.
"I want each of you to visit one historical location within Eldoria before next week's lecture."
He wrote several places on the board.
"The Royal Museum."
"The Founders' Garden."
"The Cathedral of Light."
"The Old Merchant Square."
"The Hall of Records."
"You may work in pairs or small groups."
Aurora immediately looked at her friends.
"We're doing it together."
"Of course," Octavia agreed.
Arina smiled.
"I'd like that."
As students began leaving the lecture hall, the three girls walked into the bright afternoon sunshine.
"This place already feels like home," Aurora said.
"It does," Octavia admitted.
Just then...
Arina stopped walking.
Her smile faded.
For the briefest moment, the world around her disappeared.
A vision flashed before her eyes.
She saw Octavia...
Standing before an ancient iron gate hidden beneath thick white fog.
A cold wind howled through the trees.
Then a deep male voice echoed through the darkness.
"She's here."
Arina gasped softly.
The vision vanished.
"Arina?" Octavia asked with concern.
"Are you alright?"
Arina blinked and forced a gentle smile.
"I'm fine."
But as she looked at Octavia...
A single thought echoed through her mind.
Who is waiting for you?
- Writer
