It was the second day of the academy.
Three figures stood outside the office building beside the library forest, watching students stream through the gates.
"This year's awakening ceremony will be fascinating," Elder Walath said softly.
With her were two part-time teachers, Merchant Bauji and Fisherman Talib.
"When you consider the candidates, it becomes even more interesting," Talib replied. "Not just where they come from, but the talents they've already shown at such a young age."
"Hehe, you have a sharp eye," Walath praised. In her early thirties, she already held three important positions: head of Amala Academy, chairperson of the Early Stage School, and a seat on the council of elders. All thanks to Village Head Thaine's sweeping reforms.
"I would argue the most interesting part is the sheer number," Bauji said, speaking like a true merchant. "The past three years we had between seventeen and twenty-three candidates. This year we have fifty, a massive leap."
"Both of you are right," Walath said with a small smile. "There are many hidden talents this year. Especially Thaine's daughter, Elder Holswell's grandson, Elder Routh's nephew, Farmer Collins' son, and Healer Alma's granddaughter."
"But I'm scared this blessing we're about to receive might invite trouble," she added quietly.
"Hahaha!" Talib laughed. "Academy Head, please don't scare me. What trouble could this bring? We should be celebrating! Venerable Mola has truly blessed us this year."
"Talib, you rarely leave the tribe," Bauji said, stroking his chin. "Do visit the other villages now and then."
"How does that relate to our academy suddenly having so much talent?" Talib looked confused.
"You spend most of your time fishing in Third Igarape," Walath said. "You don't immerse yourself in politics, so it's understandable you haven't noticed."
"Just say it," Talib asked anxiously. "Is it something I shouldn't know?"
"No… not really," Walath replied. "You are aware that unidentified fishermen from Akash Chiefdom have been repeatedly breaking the fishing treaty, correct?"
"Yes. It's hurting my business badly. Something must be done before it gets out of hand."
"Don't you find it… intentional?" Walath asked.
Talib's eyes widened. "You mean the treaty violations aren't simple accidents?"
Amala, the other villages, and the chiefdom had a fishing treaty that prohibited certain fishing methods. The treaty also restricted the quantity of fish a fisherman could catch during certain seasons. Not only that, but it also prohibited fishermen from fishing in some areas.
Bauji nodded. "That's exactly why the Village Head made the extra classes mandatory, even for those who fail to awaken. It wasn't just to give the young generation more prospects. It was to prepare Amala for something far worse than the usual once-in-a-decade natural disasters."
Talib's face paled. "You mean war"
---
Inside the classroom after all students had arrived...
"You might be wondering why a merchant is standing before you this morning calling himself a part-time teacher," Mr. Bauji said with a warm smile.
"Most merchants travel the lands, trading from village to village. As one myself, I know these lands better than most."
"Today, we're going to learn something wonderful. You've all heard the names Norai and Olivill. You've heard of Mayu T'aqa River, the great river that gives life to our village, our neighbors, and every living thing in Mayu T'aqa Valley."
"By the end of this lesson, the leaf-shaped layout of our lands will hang in your minds like a fine painting."
The entire class stirred with excitement. This was their first real step toward freedom. Until now, other villages had been nothing but distant names.
After the coming-of-age ceremony, boys and girls had freedom to travel and explore the valley. They could find a job beside their family-run businesses. They could drink and smoke. They could marry at age seventeen, relationships beyond friendships were allowed after coming of age. As for Edwin, the village head had already arranged a marriage with Shaman Zu, long before Edwin and Barlelina were born; still, old Edwin wanted to win the lady himself.
Shaman Zu and Village Head Thaine had a teacher-student relationship.
Bauji drew a simple sketch on the wooden board.
"This is our village, sitting on Third Igarape, the third tributary of the great river." He pointed. "Travel one day northwest and you reach Olivill, which sits on First Igarape. Olivill is a day and a half from Mount Urqu, the sacred towering mountain—where the great river itself is born."
The students gasped.
"As you know, Third Igarape runs through our village, splitting it in two. It enters from the northeast, flows past the shrine hill to the marketplace, then turns east and exits into the thick forest of Tuvwala."
"Half a day southeast down the same river lies Marable Village, a place filled with beautiful wetlands."
"Third Igarape splits into two streams before Marable. One continues to the village. The other disappears deeper southeast… into the Forest of Horror Songs," Teacher Bauji continued.
The class's temperature sunk. They had heard horror stories about the dark forest since childhood.
Bauji's voice darkened. "Rumors say in the heart of that dark forest lies a beautiful lake that turns black at night. Beautiful monsters rise to the surface, singing songs that lure men to their deaths. We call it the Lake of Horror Songs."
The class sat in frightened silence.
"Amala sits between two dangerous forests: Mirad to the northwest between us and Olivill, and Tuvwala to the southeast between us and Marable."
In these forests lurked wild beasts, aberrants, and maledicts—all of which hunted humans and other creatures alike. Aberrants were mutated beasts; maledicts were aberrants (or corrupted humans) that had undergone awakening. Both were intelligent, bloodthirsty, cannibalistic, and relentless.
The village endured constant attacks throughout the year. Maledicts posed the deadliest threat; depending on its level, a single one could slaughter an entire crew of seekers. Aberrants were scarcely less dangerous; a lone aberrant could wipe out an entire household of common villagers. The students knew well the dangers lurking in the two forests.
"Travel two days south and you reach Norai, a growing village along First Igarape," Teacher Bauji continued.
"North of our village, beyond our side of the great river, lies the Chiefdom of Akash sitting on Second Igarape, the second tributary of the great river. Akash is the largest power in the valley. They have the strongest military and the biggest economy. While we are led by village heads we call tribe leaders, Akash has a paramount chief ruling multiple villages."
Bauji smiled. "The whole Mayu T'aqa Valley shares one culture, but the food on each side of the river slightly differs. Here we hunt, fish, and craft with timber and beast materials. There, the plains are flat and fertile. They raise crops and livestock for meat."
The students were completely absorbed, eyes wide, minds racing with the new vastness of their world.