Conclusion

Seti's eyes flashed as she stepped closer to her goal. The only thing that separated her from her bane was a simple tavern wall. She strode towards the door with unmatched casualty, a haughty smirk threatening to overtake her face.

"Halt!" Her movement stopped abruptly as an unfamiliar voice commanded her to stop her advance. She blinked once, then slowly turned around to face the speaker.

She tilted her head curiously for a moment, then her eyes widened in unmatched surprise as a blaster rifle steadied its barrel against her head.

Too late, she realized, that not all keepers of the peace were of the Holy Order...

The professor's voice rambled on, and Sylvia felt like she was dying. Her head against her academy desk, the older man's voice flew in one ear and out the other, her brain only catching little snippets of the lecture.

"In such a world of desolace and treachery… a haven for creatures…"

The young human wrinkled her nose, lazily sliding back in her seat, pushing herself away from the desk. Her professor caught her slow movement, arching an eyebrow in her direction as he gave her a sharp glare.

Sylvia groaned silently, catching the hint. Her hand gripped the side of her wooden desk, pulling herself upright again. She cupped her chin with her palm, leveling her gaze at the professor.

"The once-fertile lands of Draenor were blackened and charred with their dark magic," he continued with his lesson. He suddenly paused, an aged gaze sweeping over his small class. "Sylvia, pay attention!" he snapped.

The short-lived slumber that the student had been enjoying mere moments ago was shattered. Gray eyes now focused on her teacher; she decided that it was going to be a long lesson.

The Gilneas academy was large, considering which kingdom it was from. The long-time stereotype of King Greymane's land was one of stupidity and idly-used military power. Nevertheless, if its denizens put their mind to their studies, their intelligence could match that of any other kingdom… even though their confidence might be low. (It was rather embarrassing to visit a political conference while representing Graymane..)

This academy in particular was a preparatory institute; its students later went to study in places of higher learning, such as Azeroth or Dalaran. And even though its applicants were always carefully observed and tested before being admitted, there always seemed to be one who managed to slip by their close surveillance.

In this case, it was Sylvia Mackna'ar. The daughter of some far-out blacksmith in the inner city, she had already earned herself a delinquent's résumé. She was often caught skipping out on classes, zoning out during lectures, and she rarely showed any interest in the hands-on laboratory magic work.

This, as any one person could guess, annoyed her instructors to no end. Through some blatant miracle, she was still passing all her classes and, by protocol, that meant that she couldn't be kicked out.

"She's been dodging arrows for over six months!" Professor Shil raged. He was walking beside the schoolmaster at a rather quick pace. His heavy footsteps could be heard echoing throughout the corridors, the sound only multiplied by the older man doing his best to keep up with him.

The schoolmaster was an elderly man, bustling and hustling his way through life. He was balding, and whatever hair he had left was a dusty gray. Long, billowing robes hid an aging, frail body and, in the process, managed to make him look like a peasant.

He was trailing behind Shil, idly noting that the teacher was becoming angrier; the angrier the teacher became, the faster he walked.

The schoolmaster sighed, more out of fatigue than irritation. "Mind you, she does manage to ace her studies.."

Professor Shil let out a roar. "Do you think I care? She's good for nothing! I don't know how your people managed to accept her. Are you blind?"

Again, the schoolmaster exhaled heavily, compulsively glancing into each of the schoolrooms they passed. In some, students stared, wide-eyed, at the passersby's. In others, more advanced students did nothing more than glance to the side before continuing their assignment.

Shin's face shone with triumph as he made a wide gesture into one of the higher classes. "This is what she should be like! While the rest of her class works, she takes naps."

"Perhaps that's how she learns," the schoolmaster said slowly.

"Perhaps that's how she-- URGH!" Shil huffed. He mumbled more profanity and curses under his breath, crossing his arms and turning in quickened circles. He bit his lip for a while, staring at the floor and tapping his foot impatiently as he sorted through several thoughts. "At least take her from my class," he breathed through clenched teeth.

The schoolmaster paused for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I'll see if I can find an opening…"

A/N: Wow. This was a pretty lame default chapter. > Ah, well. That means that my next chapter will have more character introductions, and the main storyline should begin to unfold. Yay! Again, apologies for my lame writing. >.> Oof.