"The staff will help you explore the Academy," the Headmistress announced, her voice strong and calm as it echoed across the wide, open courtyard.
Then, without another word, she turned around and walked away, her long cloak fluttering behind her. One by one, the tutors followed closely behind.
For a few heartbeats, everything became still.
I looked around and felt a strange sense of loneliness, even though I was surrounded by so many other students.
Beside me, Hebrew shifted uncomfortably. He clutched the strap of his bag with both hands, his eyes darting nervously around, watching as students began whispering again, some already gathering in small groups.
The nervousness of being here—at the Divine Academy—was there in his eyes, and it was buried deep under a layer of fear and doubt.
"Can we stick together for now, Klera?" he asked softly, his voice almost trembling. "I have trouble making new friends."
I turned to him and gave a small, warm smile. I could tell he was trying to be brave, but I also knew how he felt. The Academy was huge, unfamiliar, and full of strangers. It was like stepping into a completely new world.
"Of course," I replied gently. "We'll figure this out together."
A small shiver ran down Hebrew's spine, and honestly, I felt it too. We were just two kids in an area of faces, trying to find our place.
But then, just as the silence was starting to settle again, a loud voice rang out from the far end of the courtyard.
"It's the Prince!" someone shouted excitedly.
Suddenly, the quiet broke. Students began pointing and talking all at once.
"He got chosen to enter the Divine Academy too!"
"Prince Malachi? Is it really him?" a young man nearby squealed.
I turned to see what all the fuss was about. In the center of a growing crowd stood a tall young man with blonde hair and white robe trimmed in gold. He stood out immediately—not just because of his clothes, but because of how everyone around him reacted. A group of students had already gathered, surrounding him.
"Prince, can we be friends?" one young lady asked, her eyes shining.
"Us too! Please!" another chimed in eagerly.
The prince, whose cheeks were turning red from all the attention, gave a small, polite smile. But even from where I stood, I could see the nervousness in his eyes. He looked around quickly, like he was searching for an escape.
And even though he was a prince, I could tell that he felt just as overwhelmed as the rest of us.
I glanced at Hebrew, who was now staring at the scene with wide eyes.
"I guess even royalty can feel nervous on their first day," I said quietly.
Hebrew nodded. "Yeah… maybe we're not so different after all."
We stood together, watching the crowd grow, and for the first time since we arrived, I felt a little less afraid. Maybe everyone here—prince or not—was just trying to find their way.
In another part of the crowd, Hebrew and I noticed a group of five students standing close together. They looked different—they were dressed in elegant robes made from fine, expensive fabric, just like the prince.
Around them, many other students had gathered, whispering and pointing excitedly.
"They must be nobles," Hebrew said to me.
Other students were clearly curious about them—some eager to talk, others just staring in awe. It was easy to tell they were important. The way people treated them, the space they were given, and the respect in everyone's eyes—it all pointed to one thing: these students came from noble families.
---
In the Pallet Kingdom, everyone belongs to a certain social class—a group of people with different roles, jobs, and levels of power. Each class is important in its own way, helping the kingdom stay strong and working smoothly like the pieces of a puzzle.
Commoners – most of the people in the kingdom are commoners. These are the everyday folks—farmers who grow food, peasants who tend the land, blacksmiths who forge tools and weapons, tailors who make clothes, bakers, builders, servants, and sometimes, sadly, even slaves. They are the hands of the kingdom, doing all the hard work that keeps the cities, towns, and villages alive. Without them, there would be no food to eat, no homes to live in, and no one to carry out the daily tasks that make life possible.
Merchants – are businesspeople. They buy and sell goods and often travel from place to place, trading in magical and non-magical items. Some run large shops or stalls in busy marketplaces, selling everything from enchanted scrolls to powerful potions, ancient artifacts, magic staffs and wands, glowing amulets and talismans, enchanted rings, magical armor, and weapons that sparkle with spells. Because they earn a lot of money, some merchants grow quite rich and powerful. They help shape the kingdom's economy and sometimes even influence big decisions.
Nobles – are the people with grand titles like dukes, duchesses, counts, barons, and lords. They come from important families that have passed down their titles and land for generations. Nobles usually live in big castles or mansions and rule over smaller parts of the kingdom called estates. They collect taxes, lead soldiers, and attend meetings with the king and queen. While many nobles are kind and wise, others may be proud or greedy. Still, their role is to help lead and protect the people who live on their land.
Clergy – are the kingdom's religious leaders. They include high priests, bishops, monks, cardinals, and others who serve the divine. Many people turn to them for guidance, blessings, and healing. The clergy are not only trusted for their spiritual knowledge but also respected for their influence. In the Pallet Kingdom, faith plays a big part in everyday life, and the words of the clergy carry great weight in both personal and political matters. Some temples and churches are even said to hold powerful relics or divine powers.
The Arcane Court of Justice – is the kingdom's law-keeping force. This group is made up of wise judges, brave marshals, clever prosecutors, and respected council members. Their job is to make sure justice is done—punishing those who break the law and protecting those who follow it. They use not only written laws but also powerful truth-seeking magic to solve crimes and hold fair trials. Everyone in the kingdom, no matter their class, must respect their rulings. Without them, chaos would rise, and the kingdom would fall into disorder.
The Royal Family – at the very top of the social ladder is the Royal Family—the king, queen, princes, and princesses. They are the rulers of the entire Pallet Kingdom. They live in the grand Royal Palace, make the most important decisions, create laws, and oversee all the land, people, and riches. The Royal Family's duty is to protect and guide the kingdom, ensuring peace, safety, and prosperity for all. But even with all their power and luxury, their lives are not easy. Being a ruler comes with heavy burdens, and many enemies and rivals from both within and outside the kingdom plot to steal the crown or bring them down.
The noise in the courtyard slowly began to fade as a young man in his mid-twenties stepped forward from the front steps of the Academy. At once, the crowd grew quieter, students turning their heads to see who he was. He wasn't dressed like the other tutors—his clothes were simpler but still neat and tidy, with a gold badge pinned to his chest.
He had kind eyes and a warm, friendly smile that made me feel just a little more at ease. Something about him seemed calm and trustworthy.
"Ehemm… Students," he said, clearing his throat politely. His voice was clear and calm, cutting through the quiet hum of whispers. "I'm Brook, the Headmistress's assistant. I'll be guiding you today as we begin our tour of the Academy."
He gave a respectful nod and spread his arms wide, gesturing to the massive structure behind him.
"You must all be nervous and overwhelmed," Brook continued with a gentle tone. "Don't worry. This is a new place for all of you, but soon, it will start to feel like home. Today, I'll show you around, explain where things are, and answer any questions you might have. So please, stay close and follow me."
Some students looked relieved, others still a little nervous.