Prologue
A large screen at the entrance of Silver Lining University lit up with a pop, displaying the image of a captivating young elf woman speaking into a small microphone. Students new and old gathered together to listen to the inspiring new poster child of Silver Lining University. To them she embodied what they hoped for going to this highly praised school.
“Alright, ye lot, gather ‘round! I’m Professor Belle Virgo but ye can call me Professor Belle. Welcome to Silver Lining University—the finest university in the universe,” she began, her Irish accent added a warm lilt to her voice. “Today, I’m givin’ ye a quick rundown on how our world works, especially for those o’ ye not native to Earth or comin’ from beyond.”
She paused for a moment, chuckling softly. “Here’s hopin’ this one’s recordin’... it’s me tenth go at it.”
“Let’s start with a bit o’ history. Back in 2013, a group of magical beings saved Earth from a meteor shower that nearly wiped us out. They revealed themselves to mortals, gettin’ involved in the world more directly. That revelation changed everything, uniting people in ways ye couldn’t imagine. Fast forward to the year 4112, and Earth, along with many other species, has reached levels of advancement that boggle the mind.”
“Our world now plays host to a grand mix o’ beings—giants, elves, vampires, and a whole host o’ others. Each one brings their own magic, alien abilities, and technology to the table. Thanks to them, our progress has skyrocketed. We can live on distant planets, travel across the universe, and communicate with worlds we never thought possible. Earths connections with other planets have never been stronger.”
Belle’s tone shifted, as it became more serious. “But none of this came without a bit o’ chaos. We had our fair share of galactic wars and tournaments along the way. Thankfully, the Cosmo Council stepped in, and those dark days are long behind us.”
“The Cosmo Council is a coalition of governments from nearly every planet in the universe. They’re mostly a bunch of old-timers, but don’t be fooled—there’s plenty o’ wisdom behind those grey heads. Their one mission is to keep law and order across the cosmos—no matter the cost.”
Her eyes sparked with excitement as she began to wrap up. “And that’s that! Ye’re all officially students here now. The universe is vast, full of wonders waitin’ to be explored.”
With a warm smile, she added, “I hope each of ye finds yer true purpose in this wide, wild world.”
Belle waved goodbye and ended the recording with a satisfying click.
