MidnightStriker: Hey there! It's been a while since my last FE fanfic, "Kingdom of Broken Hearts". Hope you enjoy this one! :)

Journal 1: Introductions

Hey there, my name's Lucia. I'm your typical 15-year old girl, and currently I am getting my education in Tellius University. Today was our first day of classes, by the way, and I tell you, being a High School sophomore is no joke. I mean, I guess they took it easy on us when we were Freshmen, but things are getting serious now. That's life, I guess.

My mother works at the university as a Guidance Counselor, and I get the privilege of seeing her as often as I'd like. For students like me whose parents work at the school, we get some cool stuff unlike the others. For example, in the class listings we're called "Reliants". Not bad, huh? My brother Geoffrey is a freshman.

Our uniform consists of a polo/blouse with long sleeves for cold seasons and short sleeves for warmer seasons. Guys have slacks and girls have skirts. Completing the look is a…vest. And a jacket for the Juniors and Seniors.

Anyway, my first day of school is like any other. Students cram the lobby looking to see where they will be positioned for the next 10 months. I push past their squirming mass and am happily pleased to find myself in section A. My brother's stuck in section D. Since the students are coming in droves, I believe it will take me awhile to find my best friend Callil. She's 15 too, but heck, she looks way older than me.

It's soon 8:15 am, and we are called to the courtyard for our Principal Eliwood to deliver his customary "start-of-schoolyear-speech". OK, here he goes:

"Students! I would like to welcome you back to Tellius University after a 2 month absence. I see you have enjoyed your summer, some even more than others." A quiet chuckle rose from the group, since he seemed to be hitting on the portly kids. "I expect this schoolyear for all of you to learn how to work as a team, as a family. No one is an individual unit here, we must learn to co-exist and harness each others capabilites. When one falters, another will step in strong. When one is discouraged, another will comfort and encourage him. We will complement each other's weakness by another's strength."

A roar of applause greeted him, and he turned and sat back down. "OK High school, you may now go to your classrooms." Marcus, the Leadership Trainer 3 and 4 teacher, said. As I turned around, I felt a poke on my back. "Hey!" Callil grinned. "Hey yourself, you're late again." I jokingly told her as we moved along. "If you keep that up, you can cash in 3 of your red slip 'tickets' to claim an absent mark." "Aw, c'mon, Lucia! Largo and I had some catching up to do before we entered this boring cage." Callil told me. "Didn't you 'catch up 'all summer?" I grinned. "New things happen every day, sweetie." Callil replied.

Largo, a guy from 3rd year C, was her current boyfriend. She calls him her "one and only", but I prefer to think of the poor guy as her "one of many". With her good looks, Callil has turned many a boy's head. As for me, I never even have been kissed—except for family kisses, of course. Being a high-class bred student calls for prim and properliness in every aspect.

"So," Callil puffed as we hiked the stairs to our new classroom, located on the 4th floor, "who is our adviser this year?" "Ms. Serra," I replied, "she teachers Manners class." "Oh, that kook." Callil nods. "I met her once; she scolded me for putting on too much make up." I laughed and shook my head.

As soon as we reached our classroom, Callil and I race for the first-column last-row desk. It's near the window, and our chatter isn't heard as much. After putting our things away, we survey the new droves of students. Most of our old classmates are here—Astrid, Marcia, Jorge, Oscar and Kieran, to name a few. Some got transferred, like Nepheenee, to section C.

Astrid's a nice girl, she's on the honor roll, I'm sure. Beauty and brains best describe her, and she's part of the Folk dance club. Marcia's a chic girl on the Modern Dance club, like me. I know her and her best friend Jill pretty well. Jill is in section C also, by the way…

Jorge is the typical "nice guy". He's part of our group.

Oscar is quiet and studious. He's a great cook too. Only too easily giving in to peer pressure by his "rival-slash-bestfriend", Kieran.

I was broken out of my musings by Callil. "Who is that new student?" she asked me. I shrug. "How should I know?" We both eye an unsure-looking girl with green hair and amber eyes. She took the center row front desk beside Astrid. "Looks like one of those 'honor roll' types." Callil observed. "Geeky looking." I didn't respond, but taking in the girl's bunned hair, I silently had to agree with Callil. Before I could think further, the door suddenly banged open and a blur of pink and white zoomed in. Apparently it was our new adviser.

"Goooooooooood Morning 2-A!" she grins. "How was your summer? By the looks of it, you seemed to be rejuvenated!" I take in Serra's look. Her pink hair done into two ponytails, and she had a really perky and hyper disposition. "Let's start the year off with our traditional introductions! You know the rules, state your name, age, interests, expectations and if you are a new student or not. 'Cause I'm the adviser, I'm gonna start! Alright," Serra takes a deep breath, and begins.

"I'm Serra, and I teach you Manners class. I enjoy cooking, reading, and seeing Erk—er, I mean, seeing wildlife. I've been teaching in this university for four years. I expect this class to work as a team to overcome problems. I also hope you don't give our section a bad rep!" We applaud, and silently wished that Serra wouldn't pick us.

Her hawk-like eyes scan the room. "OK, how about these nice students at the front? Dear, would you mind being our first one to speak?" Serra has targeted the newbie with green hair. "Me? Oh, OK ma'am. No problem." She smiles and walks to the front. "This is gonna be good!" Callil said. "Now we gonna now who she is." "Why are you so interested in her anyway?" I asked. "Nothing really. New students stir things up a bit." Callil responded.

Callil was about to tell me something else, but I held up a finger to shush her. The newbie is about to speak. "My name is Elincia. I am currently 14 years of age. Some of my interests include horseback riding and fencing. I am a new student, coming from Crimean Rose High, but was transferred here due to some—issues. I expect that my first year here in Tellius University will be a great one." Elincia spoke. We clap politely and she returns to her seat. By the way she speaks; she apparently is from some high-class house as well.

"She's not that bad," I comment to Callil. "She speaks eloquently." As Callil was about to reply to me, Ms. Serra caught us. "You, over there with the turquoise hair! Would you like to be our next 'victim'?" Oh boy, I am so toast. "And after her, would you like to be our next speaker, Callil?" Serra grins. Callil pouted but made no remark.

End notes: Awww! Lucia's off to a bad start! What else could happen that could ruin this year?

Authors notes: Why is Lucia so young and she's already in High School? You may ask.

Back in my country, you start off with three preparatory levels before entering grade 1. Children start attending these preparatory levels at around 4. When you enter the elementary level (Grades 1-6), you must be around 6 or 7. After Grade 6, you graduate to High School, and most students are around 13 to 18. High School is four years, then you're off to college.

To those who can figure out what school is this based from (hint: it's my alma mater), well, good for you!