Realm Lord

Arthur and Luke arrived at their final class of the day, Survival 101. The classroom itself was unlike anything Arthur had expected. Instead of desks and chairs arranged in rows, they entered what appeared to be a miniature indoor ecosystem—complete with trees, underbrush, a small swimmable pond, and several flowing rivers where fish darted beneath the surface.

"This is incredible," Luke whispered, adjusting his glasses as he took in the environment.

The teacher, a lively younger woman with wild curly hair and an enthusiastic smile, stood near the center of the room, perched on a flat rock. She wore practical outdoor clothing—cargo pants, hiking boots, and a lightweight jacket with numerous pockets.

"Welcome to Survival 101!" she called out as the students gathered around. "I'm Professor Ellis, and unlike your other instructors, I don't really stand on ceremony. You can call me Mira if you prefer."

Her energy was infectious, and Arthur found himself relaxing for the first time that day. Professor Ellis—Mira—wasn't cold and serious like Professor Harmon, nor was she intimidatingly perfect like Ms. Anne. She was simply... real.

Since it was their first day, Mira spent most of the class going over the syllabus and explaining the survival necessities they would learn throughout their time here.

"When you're sent to a realm," she explained, demonstrating with animated hand gestures, "you won't always have a backpack full of supplies. No convenient stores or restaurants. You'll have yourself, your wits, and whatever skills you've learned here."

She led them on a tour of the classroom-ecosystem, pointing out edible plants, demonstrating how to test water quality, and showing them the basics of temporary shelter construction.

"This class," she told them as they gathered around a simulated campsite, "might just save your lives more than combat training ever will. A Chosen who can't fight but knows how to find food and shelter will outlast a warrior who can't tell poisonous berries from safe ones."