As we reached the dock, a steward came to my room and asked me to prepare for departure. The steward brings my suitcase and asks me to follow him as he guided me leaving the ship. In the harbour I see a line of people waiting for their horse carriage to pick them up. I joined the line as a young man approached me. The young man has long brown hair and charming face.
“Greetings, I believe you’re a fellow student of the academy.”
“Yes, and you are?”
“My name is Everett Hunt it is a pleasure to meet you”
“Jacob R. Holland the pleasure is mine”
“Oh, a Holland. It seems I am fortunate enough to meet someone from such prestigious family”
“It is only a family name. We’re still but servants of the empire”
“How humble of you”
Why do I feel a sense of déjà vu from this encounter?
“I heard this year’s class has a lot of exceptional students. Since a Holland is here, I guess the rumours are true”
“What rumours?”
“Don’t you hear? This year all of the Six Sage Families members attended the academy. Since the prince and even a Holland is here, I guess the rumours of the remaining members are probably true.”
The Six Sage Families. Descendants of the original Seven Sages who served the First Emperor, Solomon Aurelius. Holland, Roland, Alister, Manson, Winters, and the royal Leonhart line. It seems this year will be filled with fierce competitions. I better stay out of this. I have no intention to compete with the others.
As we continue to converse, I learn that Everett was born from a wealthy merchant family and his father is the leader of a merchant guild where many nobles joined. Although he wasn’t born from nobility, he has a comfortable life of living in a mansion and taking fancy vacations with his family. He is educated in matters of business and politics as he and his father often invited to balls hosted by nobles. He and his family are practically nobles despite not having the status.
Eventually it is our turn for our carriage to arrive. The horse carriage is designed similarly to what nobles often used with the emblem of the Imperial Academy is attached to it. The emblem contains a book, a sword, and a crown with two flowers where each of them signifying wisdom, justice, and leadership. The two flowers are rose and lily which are the emperor’s favourite with each flower signifying bravery and purity.
The steward then opens the door for us as the other stewards puts each of our suitcases at the back of the carriage. We set foot in the carriage as two other passengers riding alongside us.
“Greetings, fellow students. I hope we can spend time in the academy as friends,” the young man greeted us.
The young man looks handsome and has a blond hair. His tidy look and his fancy suit give off an impression of a gentleman. I bet he attracted a lot of ladies.
“Greetings, indeed it is a pleasure to meet you. The name is Everett Hunt”, Everett greeted him with great enthusiast.
“Greetings the name is Lance Alister, the pleasure is mine”
“Oh, an Alister what a lucky day for me to not just meet but sharing the same carriage with two members of the Sage families.”
“Oh, I presume that you must be a fellow member of the Sage family then?”
“Yes, the name is Jacob R. Holland it is a pleasure to meet you”
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“Holland then. The pleasure is mine”
The man sitting beside Alister remained quiet for a while as we looked at him for a moment. The young man has a messy grey hair and is quite handsome. I suddenly realized I was surrounded by handsome men. Any lady in my place would think she had walked into a romance novel.
“My name is Isaac Richardson. It is a pleasure meeting you all”, the young man spoke in an unenthusiastic manner.
The man then continues to sit there in silence as he watches the scenery. Weirdly enough I found his quiet demeanour bring some form of charm in his appearance. I look out the window and watch our carriage passing through the town. Looking out the window, I watched the carriage pass through town. Merchants traded at roadside stalls, a child ran past selling newspapers, and pedestrians stepped aside as we rolled by. While at it I saw a few boutiques and a cathedral.
Soon we enter a relatively luxurious environment. At that moment I know we are getting close to our destination. The Imperial Academy, the largest academy in the empire and by far the most sought academy for both nobles and commoners. Every year the academy accepts only 150 students this include both from noble and commoner descent. The first emperor, built the academy over a hundred years ago to give proper education for future nobles. He is the first man who ever thought of giving the same offer to both nobles and commoner descent.
As he views everyone is equal. At first many rejects his views but eventually he changed the empire and contribute the majority of today’s education system. Commoners are obligated to study at public school funded by the empire and noble descent do not get officially recognized as a noble as the emperor obligates everyone to graduate from the academy to earn it. Through this law he believes in the future every noble has the capability and education to lead and guide the people into a better future.
“We finally arrived”, Everett announced as he pointed out the window.
By the window I can see the gates of the academy and as we finally arrived, we can see other horse carriages arriving alongside us. The entrance gate of the academy is the largest gate of the academy. It is coloured in gold and white.
I watch the students entering the gate as servants and maids bring their suitcases. We exited the carriage as we are immediately greeted by maids and offer us to bring our suitcases.
“Welcome to the academy. Would you like us bring your belongings?”
“Yes, please”, Lance answered as we nodded in agreement.
“Would you please follow us as we will show you your rooms”
We follow the maids as we enter the academy, I see the statue of Emperor Solomon holding a book.
“The statue of the Sage Emperor is placed at the entrance as a way to honour his contribution and welcome the students. The moment you pass through this statue is the moment students are given a responsibility.”, spoke one of the guides at the front.
I can see park at the distance. There are many benches with flowers decorating the area. Students gather to talk with each other and relax as they enjoy the scenery. It looks rather refreshing perhaps I might sit here to enjoy the scenery during sunset.
We continue following the others as we enter the plaza of the academy. It is a large square with a large fountain at the center.
“The plaza marks as the centre of the academy. At the north is where all the cultural buildings resided. This includes the music hall, the art gallery, and the museum. At the south is where the dormitories, club buildings, the park, and training field resides. At the west is where the main academy building resides.”
As we pass through the plaza we can see the largest building in the entire academy, The main building of the academy. This will be where most of our classes will be held in the academy. The building itself is glamorously designed in baroque architecture with the building main entrance having large columns and statues of the original Seven Sages on the wall. As if the sages are greeting students everyday as they enter the building. The building itself has a large dome at the top of its centre roof and four small domes around the large dome.
“I heard it is one of the largest buildings in the empire.”, spoke one of student in front of me.
“Indeed, it is rank third only below the royal palace at the capital and the palace of the Imperial Senate. The building itself is designed personally by the first emperor, Solomon and his disciples. It is stated that he takes the inspiration from the academy in ancient times.”, a guide answered.
As we walk past through the plaza, we soon arrive the building of the dorm. It is a large building. It seems the building itself divided into two parts.
“Now we have arrived to the student dormitories. Student can register themselves and head to their room respectively. The dorms are divided to two parts where male students stay in the west part of the building and the female students stay in the east”.
As I enter the building, I observe the lobby’s architecture is elegantly designed. Similar to the main building it is designed in baroque style. With murals on the ceilings giving the building life and beauty. The reception greeted me as I arrived.
“Welcome to the academy, may I have your name so we can direct you to your room”
“Yes, the name is Jacob R. Holland”
“Sir Holland, you are in the room 313.”
“Would you please follow me as I show you your room Sir Holland”, the maid bringing my suitcase answered.
“Ah it seems this is where we part ways for now”, Everett bid farewell.
“May we meet again”, followed by Lance.
While Isaac merely nods as we go our separate ways.
Following the maid, I took the stairs to the third floor and arrive to the room 313. I unlocked the door and as I open it, I can immediately feel the warmth of the room. It isn’t that large of a room but it looks very comfortable. The room has a large bed, a desk, a bathroom, and even a balcony.
“Every day we serve breakfast at 8 am, lunch at 12 pm, and dinner at 6 pm. We have curfew at 10 pm. Students are not allowed outside the building after the hour without permission. You may call us if you want your clothes washed or your room cleaned. Although it is best to call us before the curfew. I also like to inform that there will be an assembly at 2 pm. If there is anything else you may call us with the bell.”
“Thank you”
“It is a pleasure to serve you”, she greeted as she leaves me alone by myself.
I open my pocket watch and put them on the desk.
Soon we will be able to reach our dreams
