Temple Academy Legacy
Chapter 7 – Rest & Rise
Once the dragons had eaten their food and drank their drinks, they talked amongst each other. They enjoyed the conversations and peace. This lasted for an hour and a half before Terrador rose to his feet and cleared his throat. The large earth dragon looked around at the sea of faces before he spoke.
"Everyone! Now that we have dined on dinner, it is time to return to our rooms," he began. "For the rest of the evening, get your rest and your sleep. All staff and students must be asleep by 11 pm. Tomorrow is a new day. Breakfast starts at 6am and ends at 9am. The first set of classes begin at 9:30 am."
Terrador looked around at the other dragons and Cyril dipped his head. Terrador gestured for Cyril to speak. Without delay, the ice dragon rose and trotted to the earth dragon's right side.
"Another thing," Cyril said. "Since there is a large number of first years, students will share dorm rooms. Two dragons per room. Choose a roommate that you can live with, hold accountable, and help you succeed in and out of the classroom."
"What about the teachers and staff?" a student asked.
"We will not have roommates. We have separate rooms since you all outnumber us."
Some students grumbled and complained. The noise was soft but grew in a couple seconds until a growl silenced it. An adult female dragon rose from her seat. She trotted over to Cyril's side and glared at the crowd of students, especially the ones that complained. Her burgundy skin shone in the crystal light. Her tail lashed for several minutes before going still. Cyril gave her a reassuring look but the female still looked at the crowd.
"Do not complain. This is how things are," the female dragon said. "If anyone wishes to complain, then you can expect extra homework on the first day of class with me."
"That won't be necessary, Ursa," Cyril said. "These youth didn't mean to make a fuss. Calm yourself."
"But, Cyril…"
"It's fine, Ursa." Cyril chuckled. "I'll let this outburst slide. I appreciate your decisiveness and ferocity."
Ursa stared at Cyril, her features softening a bit. She dipped her head. "A-As you wish, Cyril."
"Now then. Everyone is dismissed. You may retire to your rooms for the night. Tomorrow is the beginning of classes at Temple Academy!"
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Spyro settled into a dorm room with another first year. He climbed into his bed and crawled up under the blankets, ready to sleep. His belly was fully with water and food. He didn't know what to expect with the first day of classes, but he would participate in them.
He remembered fighting battles and the Great War against the Dark Master, Malefor over the years. Each fight molded him and hardened him. Each loss of a loved one saddened him. Those times had transformed into a hero the world needed, and he, along with Cynder, were still celebrated. He wasn't as fearful in fighting waves of enemies and overcoming obstacles.
However, attending classes, completing assignments, taking exams, and being a student made him nervous. He had trained to with the Guardians to save the world, to fight villains and enemies, and traveled across the Dragon Realms and other locations. Becoming a student and growing up in this era of peace and prosperity would be challenging.
"This is gonna be awesome," his roommate said. "I get to bunk with the legend, the hero who saved the world from the Dark Master."
Spyro sat up in his bed. He glanced over to his roommate. The first-year dragon was yellow skin and scales. The first year lay on his bed with his black claws flexing and wiggling in enthusiasm. His blue eyes looked at Spyro with awe and respect. Spyro remembered the dragon introducing himself as Mallux. He was from a village in the Dragon Realms and had heard much about Spyro and Cynder.
"Thanks," Spyro said with a chuckle. "Cynder helped me too."
"Right, right," Mallux replied. "Everyone back in my village still talks about you both."
"What do they say?"
"That you both restored the world and brought in an age of peace and prosperity."
We had help though, Spyro thought as he nodded. Much help.
Mallux stretched on the bed. He gave a yawn and laid his head down. "I…I want to be a warrior and a personal trainer. That…that's why I came to this school."
"To be a warrior and a personal trainer? Why?" Spyro asked.
"I want to keep the world safe from villains, bandits, and monsters. I also want to help others live healthier lives through exercise and diet. I enjoy getting in shape."
Spyro chuckled at that. He found the goal admirable and wholesome. He was curious to see how his roommate would work toward his goal. He wanted to ask Mallux more about his life and his past, but in minutes, Mallux was fast asleep. His eyes were closed. His soft snores filled the dorm room. His tail lay flat against the headboard of his bed.
With a yawn, Spyro laid his head down. He closed his eyes. He thought about his own goals that he had for the future. He had several in mind. He wanted to continue to training and honing his skills as a warrior. He wanted to marry Cynder and eventually start a family with her, when the time was appropriate. He even wanted to find a career that he could start, in between adventures and quests. Those thoughts swirled in his head before he settled down and drifted off to sleep.
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Digit sat on his bed for several minutes, considering his dreams. Now that he was in a new world, different from his own, he had to start over. The Dragon Realms was new to him, and he had learned a few things about its history, its people, and its ways, but there was still much to learn. He found it wonderful and encouraging that Spyro and Cynder had done so much to save it from destruction and despair from the Dark Master. That gave him hope and comfort.
In the Dragon Realms, I'll make my dreams come true, he told himself. I'll become a great engineer and builder.
"Meriji…Meriji…"
Digit looked over across the dorm room. It had two wide beds, two wooden chests, crystal lights, and a wide wooden door. His roommate turned out to be Xavier, who was asleep on his bed. While they had eaten their first dinner in the Feast Hall, he and Digit talked and became friends fast. Digit learned that Xavier was a dragon from the city of Warfang and that Xavier came to Temple Academy wanting to become a skilled hunter and master chef.
Xavier had told Digit how he loved to eat and prepare meals. Xavier had never known his real parents and had been raised by another family of dragons. The adoptive family had loved him and taught him how to hunt and cook. Because of the family's love, care, and encouragement, Xavier dedicated himself to such a pursuit.
Digit also found it funny and endearing his new friend was admiring another first year. Even now, Xavier mentioned his crush's name in his sleep. It reminded him how much he admired and cared about Jinx, his childhood friend.
"I'd better get to sleep too," Digit said. "Much to do tomorrow."
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The sun rose steadily in the morning. Its warmth and light blanketed the world and the school campus. As the morning began, the students, teachers, and staff members in Temple Academy began to wake. The sound of ringing bells echoed through the halls of the Male and Female Dormitories.
Ophelia and Immerit the school assistants moved about the halls. Both dragons rung little gold bells. They did this several times at 6 in the morning. They continued to ring the bells and waited for the dragons to rise and leave their rooms.
Within half an hour, several doors opened. Dragons yawned, stretched, and shook their heads. They began to walk out of their rooms. Ophelia and Immerit stopped ringing their bells when they saw every one waking and spoke in clear voices. They informed the students and staff that breakfast would start at 7 and classes would start at 9:30am. They also carried bags with them and handed out little scrolls to the students, explaining that it was their class schedules for the year.
Kettle accepted her scroll and nodded to Ophelia. "Thank you so much," she said.
"Of course, my friend. Enjoy your first day of school!" Ophelia said. Her voice was sweet and cheerful, and the school assistant bounced on her feet.
Kettle opened the scroll and read it .
9:30 AM – 10 AM – COMBAT & SURVIVAL
10:15 – 10:45 AM – FLIGHT & NAVIGATION
11:00 – 11:30AM – ARTS & LITERATURE
12:00 – 2:00 PM – LUNCH
2:15 – 2:45 PM – ELEMENTAL MASTERY
3:00 – 3:30 PM – MATHEMATICS
4:00 – 4:30 PM – HISTORY & GENERAL STUDIES
6:00 – 8:00 PM – DINNER
8:15 – 8:45 PM – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
"This is a busy schedule," Ketta said, blinking. "Wow! There's so much to learn."
"Indeed," Ophelia said. "But don't feel overwhelmed. You'll be going to class 5 days a week. Weekends will be free for you to study, socialize, and rest."
I just hope I can succeed in my math class, Ketta thought. Her forked tongue darted in and out of her mouth. I'm the worst with calculations and measurements.
"Good morning, Ketta!" Ceres approached, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Morning, Ceres. Ready to start the day."
"I will be once I've eaten breakfast."
"Same here. Don't forget your scroll."
Ceres nodded and looked to Ophelia. The school assistant passed the scroll to her. Ceres opened it, read it, and glanced at Ketta's schedule. "Hm…same schedule as yours."
"Awesome! Let's go grab breakfast and then head to our first class."
"Sure. I can't wait!"
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