353 Starfall (1/2)
A small boy of roughly 6 years old patted Mia on the shoulder before running off with the other kids on the playground.
”Ah? Hey, that's not fair!” Mia pouted.
She pushed the previous thoughts to the back of her mind and chased after the other kids as they played a game of tag.
Ring~!
Not long after, the bell rang before a female teacher holding a walking stick came out to fetch the kids on the playground and take them back to the academy nearby for schooling.
”Alright, children. Playtime is over. It's time to head back and resume class.” The limping female teacher said warmly to the children.
The female teacher was another Great Warrior, but she had a lean build without excessive muscle mass like the other warriors at her level.
It was apparent that her body was not well trained since she had taken up post as a teacher. She had retired from battle after sustaining an injury to her leg and could not walk properly without her walking stick's support.
”Teacher Brunhilde!”
The children all ran over obediently once they were called and gather around the female teacher. Some were even hugging onto her legs, causing her to wobble uncontrollably.
”Easy, children easy. Teacher's leg is not in good shape. Teacher will fall if you continue to shake.” Teacher Brunhilde said helplessly.
Most children immediately let go in fear of hurting their teacher, but there were still two naughty ones who refused to let go.
”Fall, fall, fall!” The two naughty children shook harder with excitement.
'These little shits…' Teacher Brunhilde inwardly cussed.
Teacher Brunhilde was fond of children. Otherwise, she would not have chosen to become a teacher after retiring from the hunting team. However, she was only fond of the obedient and quiet ones. The loud and mischievous ones were annoying little runts.
”Still not letting go?”
Teacher Brunhilde glared at the two naughty children with the imposing aura of a Great Warrior.
”Ahh! Teacher Brunhilde has become scary!” The two naughty children cried in fear and retreated while the other children laughed, ”Haha! Serves you right for not listening to Teacher Brunhilde!”
”Alright, children. Be good now. Let us head back to class.” Teacher Brunhilde put on her best smile again.
She only needed to use a little bit of her Great Warrior aura to scare the naughty children into obedience. If she had exerted a slightly stronger aura, they would have broken down into loud wails instead.
”Come, Mia. Don't fall behind now.” Teacher Brunhilde called out after seeing Mia lagging behind the others.
Mia nodded and picked up her pace slightly. Although she came out to play with the other children, it was clear that she was still not used to her new environment.
Inside the classroom, there were no tables nor chairs for the children to be seated. There were only soft fur cushions stuffed with straws for the children to sit on.
After everyone was seated, Teacher Brunhilde began the lesson with a question, ”Now, where did we leave off last time?”
”Teacher was about to talk about the Age of Darkness!” A boy answered after raising his hand.
”Oh, yes. I remember now. Thank you, Little Hector. But next time, remember to answer only after I call you. Otherwise, it will not be fair for the others who have also raised their hands. Do you understand?”
”Yes, Teacher Brunhilde.” Little Hector said obediently.
Teacher Brunhilde nodded approvingly before she said, ”It was said that before the Age of Darkness came, the world used to be a much brighter place. A sun would hang in the sky and illuminate the land in all its brilliance and glory.”
”Torches of fire were not needed to light the tribe during the day, and at night, the moon would shine the land with its bluish-white light. But ever since the Age of Darkness came, the dark clouds blotted out the sun, the moon turned crimson, and humankind has never seen the light of day since.”
Seeing Mia raised her hand, Teacher Brunhilde asks, ”Yes, Little Mia?”
”What is the Age of Darkness, Teacher?” Mia asked curiously.