The Grand World Exposition
The World Exposition. True to its name, it was a grand event of the century, featuring relics, treasures, and inventions from countless nations across the globe, without discrimination.
Ever since entering the academy, I'd been too preoccupied with ghost stories to pay it much mind, but from the explanations I'd heard, it seemed like a major event that had been in the works for quite some time. Certainly, something on the scale of an international expo wasn't an everyday occurrence even in the modern world—let alone here in Hifnia.
"There are so many people. Isn't this a bit much?"
"Yes. Though it's billed as an expo for students, the sheer scale has drawn a huge crowd from outside as well. The academy's opened up access freely to visitors during the event, considering its nature."
"Makes sense. A bash this extravagant wouldn't break even without some tourists. Gotta secure that profitability."
"Ugh. No romance in your soul."
"Blame my past life as capitalism's vanguard."
As I bantered lightly with the students, we soon arrived at the expo grounds. Honestly, I hadn't expected much from this era's version of a fair—compared to my previous life, it was bound to fall short. But the scale blew away my low expectations.
There were no cutting-edge commercial complexes like back home, but the sheer manpower poured into this pre-modern spectacle created its own overwhelming grandeur. With crowds flocking not just from the student body but from far and wide, the venue's density rivaled the 21st century. And that was only because Everlight Academy sat on an island—if not, the throngs would've been several times worse, with no room to breathe.
"Whoa…."
"Q-quite the crowd. Hmph, hmph!"
Rone and Rozalia faltered at the overwhelming density even before stepping inside. Ignoring my students' rustic reactions, I unfolded the expo pamphlet.
"Let's see… The exhibits are divided into four main areas."
First up: Human History. Starting with primitive relics, it traced the flow from ancient times through the medieval era to the modern age, showcasing miniatures of archaeological sites and artifacts to introduce history and culture. Elaine had shown particular interest in this one.
Second: Natural History. Though called "natural," it leaned heavily toward animals—displaying taxidermy and models of rare beasts, along with records of their habits. Rone's eagerly awaited dinosaur fossils were here too.
Third: Art. Technically a subset of human history, but given the prevalence of priceless items, it warranted its own heavily secured section. Rozalia, with her love for jewelry, would surely gravitate here.
Fourth: Technology. Showcasing Hifnia's latest inventions to flaunt cutting-edge prowess. But to a 21st-century Earthling like me? Meh. None of the students seemed thrilled either.
I skimmed the pamphlet and turned to the group. "So? Where to first?"
"Human History!" Elaine shot her hand up first, her eyes already sparkling with rare, unbridled excitement.
"But! Human history's just like the books we read every day, right? I'd prefer the art section… It's gotta be full of sparkling gems!"
Rozalia pouted, her gaze drifting toward the ornate art exhibits.
"I think Natural History! We can read about human history in books, and art's everywhere in daily life—but dinosaur fossils? This is our only shot!"
Rone countered energetically, buzzing at the prospect of real fossils.
Dinosaurs did stir something in me too. The three girls bickered, each championing their pick—their tastes splitting perfectly three ways. I couldn't help but chuckle. We had time to see it all; why the rush?
"Hey, hey, no fighting. We'll hit all three anyway."
I folded the pamphlet. "Let's go in order of proximity. Human History first, then Natural History for the dinos, and Art last. Tech… if there's time later."
They pondered briefly, then nodded. Rone and Rozalia looked wistful but perked up at the promise of their favorites.
Stepping into the Human History section, I was stunned by the exhibits' exquisite detail—far beyond what the pamphlet's "miniatures" suggested. These weren't mere models. A cave mouth painted with primitive wall art led into compressed replicas of ancient monumental architecture, with medieval castle sections so lifelike they seemed transplanted wholesale. The handmade precision rivaled anything from my past life's museums.
Even Rone and Rozalia, who'd been lukewarm until now, soon found themselves captivated.
"Teacher, look at this book! Over a thousand years old, pristine, and made in a form impossible with the era's tech. Isn't it amazing?"
Elaine was in her element, darting about with uncharacteristic abandon—her mysterious persona forgotten. She called us over at every wonder.
"Definitely intriguing. Printing tech back then was primitive, yet this is flawless. Out-of-era relic, huh?"
The display for Rone's find, simply titled "Ancient Record," noted that while the cover was intact, the contents were too damaged to read. Pristine exterior, illegible interior—pure mystery. The only clues were illustrations: a colossal giant above bowing figures, hinting at a primitive religious text. The symbol beside it? A religious icon? I'd seen it somewhere….
"Ugh. Historical value or not, how do they decide to display that?"
Rozalia's disgusted tone snapped me from my thoughts.
"Wait—even for a tome worshiping an evil god, that's harsh…."
"Huh? I meant that gallows over there."
"Gallows?"
Following her gaze, I spotted a gallows model in the corner. The plaque read: "This is no replica—the genuine article, used for real executions."
"A real gallows? No wonder it feels so creepy."
"Don't overreact. Human history isn't all bright art and beauty. Facing the dark, ominous parts too—that's the proper way."
"Whoa. That was so teacherly."
"…I'll take it as a compliment."
Her point was fair, though. Amid the bustling crowds, that wooden noose evoked an eerie creak, like it might swing on its own. My mind flashed to it animating, snaring everyone—no resistance as ropes tightened, bodies dangling. Me among them, tongue lolling in death.
I chuckled it off. Whew. The kids were right—my brain was pickled in ghost stories. No tales of self-moving gallows that I knew. Just overactive imagination.
Shaking it off, I followed Elaine through the rest of Human History.
After a full loop of Human History, we headed to Natural History. The entrance bloomed into a verdant forest replica, giant taxidermied trees welcoming us. Inside: rare animal mounts and models galore. Feathers so vivid they seemed alive on massive birds; deer mid-stride through woods; enigmatic sea creatures. Detailed placards on habitats, ecology, and traits made it educational beyond visuals.
Personally, I preferred this to history—Hifnia's timeline felt middling to me anyway. Stuffed critters? Simply delightful.
"These are mythical animal models!"
Mythical? Rone's gasp led to blatantly fictional beasts: winged lions, three-headed serpents, horned horses. Documentary vibe to fantasy in a snap? Well, this was a fantasy world….
"No way those exist."
"You never know! The world's full of undiscovered life. 'Mythical' just means no hard proof yet—but sightings abound!"
Which meant sightings only, no evidence. Hifnia lagged centuries behind the 21st century, so cryptids got the benefit of doubt. Made me feel my otherworldly origins anew.
"Pfft! Teacher, check this!"
Rone, now hyped, tugged my sleeve to another "mythical" model.
"Looks like a raccoon, but with a beak instead of teeth, venomous claws, sixth sense for hunting, fluorescent fur, lays eggs and nurses with milk from its fur! Exactly as you said—impossible!"
"Actually… that one might exist."
"Psh, kidding? You dismissed horned horses, but this freak show's plausible?"
"Yeah, that's a stretch."
"Teacher, even I'd call BS on that."
They shot me down flat.
"…Fair enough. Me too."
Unjust.
A full circuit later, we hit the dinosaur zone at the back. In a vast hall, Rone's prize loomed: a reconstructed skeleton of titanic scale and detail, almost alive.
"Wooow! Real dinosaurs…."
Not just Rone—Elaine and Rozalia gaped too.
"Just bones, yet that presence… like it'll lunge any second."
"Totally. Feels like it'll chomp us right now."
"Don't jinx it."
After scolding their ominous vibes, I let Rone savor it before moving to the next section.