Almost instantly, both girls noticed Lanen's gaze.
Under their scrutiny, Lanen faltered, cheeks warming with the shame of being caught.
The golden-haired beauty, however, didn't seem offended. Instead, she smiled openly. "Hello, I'm Elina Fox."
"And I'm Sophia Reed," the adorable girl added.
Lanen snapped to attention. "Nice to meet you! I'm Lanen—Lanen Banneray. Are you locals?"
Within minutes, the three were chatting easily.
Elina and Sophia had grown up together in Lorendan. Elina was a second-year auditing the class, while Sophia was a fellow freshman.
At Atlantia, the first year covered all core subjects. Afterward, students could audit or self-study until passing advancement exams. Elina had chosen to revisit the curriculum for reinforcement. "Sitting through lectures a second time is the fastest way to improve," she explained.
"I loved continental geography last year—especially the professor. Though I wasn't great at it," Elina admitted. "So I'm retaking it properly."
"I heard he's the most popular teacher," Lanen said, then dropped his voice. "But who's the terrifying one? I asked around, but everyone clammed up like saying the name would get them whipped."
Elina's eyes flickered shut—for a second, Lanen thought she shuddered—before whispering, "Keep your voice down. It's Magical Flora and Fauna. The strictest, foulest-tempered instructor you'll ever meet. Good luck."
Sophia paled. "Does he... hit students?"
"Hard to describe. You'll see. But don't worry—physical punishment is rare."
Just then, the geography professor—a congenial, handsome middle-aged man—rapped the blackboard.
Richard Williams, the "most beloved teacher," lived up to his title.
True to form, he extolled his subject's importance with fresh flair:
"Whether you're whisking a date home for dinner or just sightseeing, continental geography is indispensable. It lets you regale your future children with knowledge instead of muttering, 'Sorry, pumpkin, Daddy doesn't know where those weirdos are from—you'll learn when you're older.' Tragic for your dignity. So! For self-respect, turn to Lesson One: Overview..."
The vast continents of Kardia and Thessia, thriving with civilizations and diverse races—elves, dwarves, even dragons—formed the backdrop for a planet teeming with life. Latitude-spanning terrains and oceanic wind systems sculpted ecosystems as varied as the cultures they nurtured.
Professor Williams was brilliant—erudite yet witty. His vivid descriptions made each locale tangible, easing the burden of later memorization. No wonder he teaches this, Lanen mused. Without him, no one would pass.
As the bell rang, Williams delivered a final quip and exited. The classroom erupted in chatter.
"Hey, Lanen! How'd the interview go?" Hale called, weaving through desks.
"Smooth. Meet some new friends—Elina, Sophia, this is Hale, my roommate."
"Pleasure," Hale and Elina said in unison, then laughed as they shook hands. Sophia waved shyly.
"Excellent. Now we're all friends," Lanen declared.