“Your attention, please.” An authoritative voice rang out, echoing across the room. “”Your attention, please,” it boomed again, bringing all conversation in the Dining Hall to a halt.

  Students all turned towards the Great Podium, where the voice had come from. Silvered mirrors were angled to light up center stage where a group of Military Officials, the commanders of the Academy, now stood.

  Standing in the forefront was the Master of Ceremonies, the commander of the Utility css, a tall middle-aged man in amber robes. He spoke with calmness, and moved with grand calcuted gestures.

  “The outer doors are now sealed. The Last Meal has begun. I am Commander Alder. You will now receive a message from each of the Academic Commanders, before hearing a historic message from the High Commander. You are required to behave respectfully and appud appropriately.”

  So far, the ceremony was pretty close to how Linhart remembered it from his previous world, though many of the commanders were different from what he remembered. The Fighter, Mage, and Striker commanders were all women, though the position had previously been held by men. The Utility commander, Alder, was actually the same man, which Linhart took to mean that the time slip had had minimal impact on the Utility css.

  The Healer commander, previously a dignified young woman, was now a distinguished young man. He looked familiar. It took Linhart a few minutes to realize that he was Commander Kael of the Fighter css from his previous world.

  Each commander took their turn in sharing an inspirational message and welcoming the students who had enrolled in their csses. They each called on all students enrolled in the respective css to stand and receive appuse.

  Linhart had always found it unfair that the csses were treated with equal status, even though the school popution was not even at all. When Commander Dar stepped to the front of the stage and called on all Fighters to stand, more than a third of the audience came to their feet. Linhart was the only Fighter at his table, but he rose without shame. He felt the eyes of the girls’ table upon him. They were all standing, every one of them was a Fighter.

  Dar’s speech was short, but it carried a powerful message. She said:

  “All you who have risen, stand straight. You are Fighters now, not children pying at heroism.

  Strength is not found in rage. It is found in control. It is choosing to stand when others fall. You will learn discipline before glory, endurance before praise.

  Pain will visit each one of you. Good. Let it carve you into something unbreakable.

  Out there, others may wield spells or cunning. You wield resolve. And when the line falters, it will be you who holds it.”

  Dar completed her short but powerful speech, and then Linhart sat down again.

  When the commanders had all completed their speeches, there was a recognition of seniors. The Healers around his table all stood up, looking like privileged nobles. Around the room, only a few dozen boys were on their feet. Most of the graduating css were girls. Linhart suspected that there were no boys in the senior Fighter css.

  Next came the recognition of the freshmen. Half of all the students in the Dining Hall were first year students. They were all standing here for the first time, eager to prove themselves. Commander Dar was chosen from among the commanders to take center stage and to address these students. She said:

  “Welcome all you freshmen to the Last Meal.

  We call it the Last Meal because it is the final meal you will eat as who you were yesterday. The Last Meal of your old habits. The Last Meal of your old excuses. The Last Meal before the Academy remakes you.

  Tonight, you eat as civilians. Tomorrow, you rise as students.

  Remember this Last Meal. The taste, the warmth, the comfort. You will not taste this much again so easily.

  Finish your ptes.

  When you leave this hall, your old life stays behind with the crumbs.”

  Despite not feeling like a true freshman, Linhart was nonetheless moved by the commander’s words. As she spoke, an inner monologue ran through his mind:

  “I will be starting the day tomorrow, fresh. My fate is undetermined.”

  “I will stick with it and become a senior Fighter someday. Perhaps the only boy ever to do so in this crazy world.”

  But more importantly, “I’ll assemble a harem of girls…”

  “Girls who will love me and serve me.”

  “Who will provide me with security and comfort, and maybe some luxury goods.”

  “Who will spread their legs happily and beg me for my wiener.”

  Linhart had to stop his imagination right there, as his wiener was stirring, right in the middle of Dar's speech. He appuded appropriately as she stepped away. Then the High Commander took her pce in the spotlight.

  The High Commander of the Eryndor Military Academy, Commander Warminster, was disciplined in body and in style. She stood tall and straight-backed. Her bck hair was cut with geometric precision, framing her beautiful face with perfect angles.

  She looks young, but the way she held herself showed years of experience. There was wisdom in her movements. Warminster was the ultimate authority at Nexus Academy. Not only was she highest amongst the group of commanders, she was the final decision maker on each student’s fate after graduation. The students who would become officers, who would be sent to the field, and who would be rejected and sent home. The High Commander had the final say.

  The tension in the room rose, as Warminster addressed the students for what they thought was the first time in their lives. She began:

  "Students, you think that this is your first term here at the Academy. It is not.

  You have stood in this hall before. You have heard my voice before. You have lived this same event many times.

  The Oracle has shown us that there has been a Time Slip. A period in time in which, when the term reaches its end, the world resets. Your memories do not return with you.

  I have witnessed it myself, evidence of the Time Slip."

  Each of the Commanders stepped forward, one by one, testifying with those same words:

  “I have witnessed it myself, evidence of the Time Slip,” said Alder.

  “I have witnessed it myself, evidence of the Time Slip,” said Dar.

  “I have witnessed it myself, evidence of the Time Slip,” said Dawnsigil, Vexshield, and Mirewood.

  Finally, Warminster continued:

  "Do not despair. There is hope. Some students and faculty members still retain memories of past cycles. They are called Mnemons. These Mnemons can provide us with key information on the fight against the wizards that could disassemble the Time Slip and help us to defeat the wizards once and for all.

  This cycle will be different.

  If you or someone you know has information on the past and future, seek out your commander and help us shape our future through victory. Thank you and enjoy your Last Meal!"

  The audience seemed stunned and in disbelief. Many students, not knowing what else to do, appuded the unexpected challenge to their existence and the passage of time. For the freshmen, especially, this ceremony had taken on a surreal quality, like the Gods themselves were in the room.

  This uncanny sensation haunted many of them. Students grew introspective on what should have been the happiest day of their young lives.

  * * * * * * * * *

  Hundreds of servants weaved their way throughout the room, pcing steaming trays of delicious food in front of each student. Many students ate in silence. Lost in thought. The boys around the Linhart's table, chatted about inane topics. He could sense that they had rejected the idea of repeating their senior year again and again.

  Linhart’s mind, as he pushed the food around on his pte, was weighed with uncertainty. He had heard this speech at the dawn of his freshman year and remembered wishing to be among the lucky few who could remember the past. Now that he was a Mnemon, he was reluctant to take on the responsibility.

  Why should he share his memories? Could they not win the war without him? Was he the only one able to remember the attack on the wizard tower?

  Linhart wanted to help, but he was haunted by the ordeal he had faced the st time he been sent on a mission.

  Perhaps, there was another savior out there? Or, if the time slip happened again, he could still share his knowledge the next time around. But for now, his personal mission is to enjoy himself in this strange new world.

  On that thought, Linhart left the Last Meal soon after the food was served, walked back to his dorm room at Fighter Hall, and passed out on his bed, fast asleep.