The first class they had was History.
Aeon already knew most of what was being taught—the only real difference being that the books here were written from a human point of view.
The facts hadn't changed much, only the tone did.
Humans had a habit of exaggerating and glorifying the smallest achievements of their ancestors.
Aeon couldn't bring himself to be mad at it.
For all their weaknesses, humanity had advanced faster than most races since the Fourth Era. In that sense, they had earned the right to celebrate themselves—even if it meant distorting the truth a little.
It wasn't long before the bell chimed, signaling the end of the first lesson.
The next class was another core subject: Mathematics.
Aeon wasn't expecting much.
Back in Eryndor, he was far ahead in the subject already.
The door opened, and a stern-looking man entered.
His eyes rested on Aeon briefly, before sweeping across the rest of the class.
"I see we have new arrivals," he said, gaze flicking from Amarie to Isolde. "Let's hope they don't hold us back."
Aeon scoffed, offended by the remark.
"As for the rest of you—turn in your assignments. Anyone who fails to do so will get their merit points deducted."
The class groaned.
"Today, we'll continue where we left off last week," the teacher continued, striding over to the board and writing on it in broad strokes: Runic Calculus.
Another wave of grumbles rippled through the class.
***
The hour that followed was one of the worst Aeon had experienced.
The humans had gone and added their own laws and functions to mathematics.
It took him longer than he'd care to admit before he could finally wrap his head around it.
He had never been so glad to hear the chime of a bell.
"Argh!"
"…Vaelora's Roots," Aeon muttered, with a groan.
'Great. My second day in Calden, and I'm already swearing,' he thought inwardly in mock amusement.
Cecilia giggled.
"In time you'll get used to it."
Aeon nodded, then a voice came from the front.
"So…" said Celeste with a curious smile.
"What electives have you chosen?"
"I haven't decided yet," Amarie admitted with a stretch.
"Same," Aeon added.
"How about you, Isolde?" Julian asked softly.
"Hmm."
"I haven't decided yet," she said after a pause.
Celeste nodded. "That's fine. For now, you can sit in on any class, get a feel for it before you choose."
She gathered her things, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"We're all heading to the class for Arcane Theory, by the way."
"The other electives running now are Cultural Studies and E.I," Seraphina added.
"If you're interested, we can introduce you to someone offering them," Julian said with his signature smile.
"Damien!" Seraphina cried out.
Damien, quiet as ever, was already at the door.
Aeon had barely noticed him.
"I'll be waiting outside," Damien replied dryly.
Tsk.
Seraphina clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Well, we'll be going for Arcane Theory too," Aeon said.
Isolde gave a small nod, and Amarie hummed her agreement.
"By the way," Cecilia said suddenly, "did I tell you how much I love your accents?"
Aeon blinked. "No, you haven't mentioned that."
"Well… I do," she replied brightly.
Celeste sighed, tugging her along as the group left the room.
***
After A.T (Arcane Theory),
Cecilia and Julian guided Aeon and the others for a tour through the lecture halls.
Celeste wasn't with them because she had gone ahead to secure a spot at the cafeteria.
For Damien—Aeon assumed he was absent because Seraphina was too.
"And this," Cecilia announced, sweeping her arm toward a wide room lined with instruments, "is the music room."
Aeon's eyes widened.
The room was beautiful, filled with varieties of instruments, most of which were foreign to him.
"We even have elven ones," Cecilia said proudly, pointing to a section of string instruments.
Aeon's gaze immediately picked out a whisperbow and a sylvarharp.
"This is where our music lessons are held," she added.
"How did they get these?" Amarie asked, her voice edged with disbelief.
"Most likely in the early Fifth Era—before the Enclosure," Julian answered.
"But that was centuries ago," Amarie pressed.
"Which only shows how much we treasure them," Cecilia said warmly.
"Does anyone play?" Isolde asked.
"A few," Cecilia replied. "Mostly seniors and teachers."
The thought lingered in Aeon's mind. Maybe taking the music elective wouldn't be so bad.
"Do you play?" Cecilia asked.
Aeon gave a small nod.
"Then ca—" she began, but Julian cut her off.
"Let's finish the tour. We shouldn't keep Celeste waiting."
Cecilia sighed, then relented.
"You're right." She turned toward the door, but before leaving, spun back suddenly.
"But later—you'll play for me, right?" she asked, eyes sharp.
Her forwardness caught Aeon off guard.
"S… sure," he stammered.
"Good." Cecilia's grin blossomed, bright and satisfied.