The new school year had barely begun, yet it wasted no time in throwing surprises our way. Just when we thought we'd had our fill of unexpected developments—especially after the whole Estelle Eclair incident—another bombshell dropped on us. Though it didn't quite reach the same level of shock, it was still enough to send ripples through the academy.
For one, there were new professors. Apparently, the second-year teaching staff had undergone some changes, with Rose and Sesillian being replaced.
The first of the newcomers was a man—not exactly young. In fact, "old" might have been an understatement. His face was heavily lined with deep wrinkles, his once-dark hair had long since faded to a weary gray, and his beard stretched down in a wild, unkempt mass. Most noticeably, he was bald, with a smooth dome that gleamed slightly under the classroom lights.
