A cup of coffee, and another, the faint electric lights of the coffee machine lightening the hallways, even though it was still early. Too early, without a doubt, but this semester, you had chosen a new course. “War, theory and practice” was now written on your schedule, making you wake up and get to school when everyone was still sleeping. As the vibrations of the coffee machine stopped, you grabbed your cup, heading to the amphitheater where the course would stand, your steps echoing in the empty hallways.

You sat, finding an empty seat in the amphitheater. Weird, nobody was there yet, even though the class should start in a minute or two. Nevermind, it’s just an opportunity to sit where you wanted. You opened your laptop mindlessly, the bitter taste of cheap coffee lingering on your tongue, your thoughts distracted by the early hours of the day. As you raised your head, avoiding the dazzling white brightness of your laptop screen, the professor entered in a visible hurry, holding a few books under his arm.

His hair seemed to have been fixed at the last minute, the darkness under his eyes clearly showing his fatigue and lack of sleep. He dropped his books on the large desk, and glanced up, noticing your sole form in the amphitheater mostly empty. He sighed, his hands tensed on the edge of the desk, and said roughly, a hint of annoyance showing. “One student, amazing.” He stepped closer, shoving his hands in his pockets in thoughts, and said more kindly. “Since you’re the only one… Let’s introduce each other. I’m Riley, Simon Riley. I… usually teach history and war studies, but I suppose it’ll be just us today.”