Watching the students disembark the Academy airships, Rithe waited patiently until they were all off, some with bags in hand, others having left theirs in the cargo holds. Of course, the new students hadn't really paid that much attention to him; his appearance didn't really befit the preconception of a headmaster - it came with being relatively ageless. Despite that he held himself with dignity befitting his station. As the last remnants come off the walkways and the airships began to move back to their harbour, he smiled. Already, he had seen a number of interesting students, including an enterprising one who had elected to make his own way off the airships to the amusement of several others. The energy of this year's student body made the headmaster smile.
He was about to speak when the air beside him shimmered and from apparent nothingness came the man who would later be introduced as Head Librarian. James was at ease, his hands in his pockets and a smirk on his lips.
"Right on time again, aren't you?" Rithe whispered.
James' smirk merely grew wider as he scanned the crowd.
"Well I had the feeling this year's students were going to be an interesting group and I would have to say they are."
"You missed the one who fell off in his impatience."
"I'm sure I'll get to know him eventually. It is however about time for your 'disorientation' isn't it?"
This time it was Rithe's turn to smile. He quickly cleared his throat and inhaled a sharp breath.
"Welcome to Eureka Academy."
The sonorous voice boomed out, its draconic magnitude unable to be mistaken - a long lost voice that commanded both respect and attention.
"And congratulations on joining such an esteemed group," he finished in a far lower, yet still resonant voice. "As you are all quite aware of by now, you are young men and women with talents that outstrip your usual peers. Some of you hold pure magical power as though it were a toy and others of you can make a blade dance so hypnotically, your opponents never realize they were cut. You are here, however, because there is always more to learn - there is always someone better than yourself.
"I am here though, to facilitate such learning. I have gathered from both worlds, from other worlds, even from other realities, people who can help you understand what it is you do, to help you learn to control it, to refine it, and to help you go even further with it. This Academy is where it all comes together: magic and martial, spirits and changelings, machine and flesh. No matter what you ascribe to be, there will be someone who can assist you.
"That was what I thought of when I founded the academy - a safe place where we can learn about ourselves. That we could avoid such mishaps as people tapping powers they did not understand, let alone control, and taking with them innocent civilians. That we could help men and women like yourselves avoid the ostracism of those who don't understand you and fear you for that. That we would be able to effectively stand against what horrors await us all.
"Because there are things out there, beyond our own comprehension, beyond the boundaries of time and space that are hostile. There still exist things on our worlds that would do us harm, would try to destroy us and our loved ones. But we, my friends, we are here to stand against them. We will be the beacon of hope, when all light is lost. That is why this academy is here - so that you will be able to stand against whatever may come and know that you will be able to protect what is dear to you. This is the true reason we are here...
"You have your sect dormitory assignments and the rest of the day is yours. Classes start at 8 AM sharp tomorrow. Any questions can be directed to your student council members."
