Crescat Scientia, Vita Excolatur

All throughout his demonstration of his relics and knowledge, Milo was thrilled to see Theory's interest grow more and more profound as he introduced her to his passion in the world. It wasn't often that the vagabond scholar found others who shared his appreciation for ancient history, but when he did, it was like striking gold in a mine. So lost had he been in his exposé that he hadn't even realized he'd been rambling until Theory finally managed to get a word in edgewise, and when she spoke, Milo nearly felt his heart leap from excitement. She accepted him into her school! The widest smile Milo could ever recall wearing spread across his face as he stashed the Tome of Translation back into his bag, so giddy with excitement that he could dance and sing! Finally, finally he might have found where he belonged in the world! Take that, Mom and Dad!

"Yes, aces!" he exclaimed with an enthusiastic pump of a foreleg, hyping himself up for having nailed his interview so well. "Thank you, Headmistress Theory! I promise, you won't regret taking a chance on me! I've already got ideas and plans for how I can begin and... oh, oh yes! I suppose I'll need to know my way around before I get too far ahead of myself, won't I?" A lighthearted chuckle left the smaller wolf, hoping he wasn't coming across too unprofessional with his excitement—he was just so overjoyed at having a place and a purpose helping others discover their passions!

But then came the most unexpected part of their interaction: Theory wanted to learn even more! Milo blinked in surprise. She actually wanted him to keep talking?! Wow, this place really was something special! "But of course! Let's see... Oh! Let's start from the top!" Slipping his bag off from around his body, Milo set the bag on the ground with a thud. He opened the cover and began rifling through his belongings, pulling out a weathered and torn paper pamphlet, the colors starting to fade from the images, but still easily discernible. When unfolded, the pamphlet showed various pictures of the strange-looking creatures of the Lost Species, all smiling wide, exaggerated smiles as they were depicted in a variety of activities. Some were half bare on a beach or in the water, others sitting in groups in lavish buildings.

"So we don't truly know much about the Lost Species, since their language is so inaccessible to us, but we do have many, many depictions of them. They were tall, furless creatures that looked a lot like monkeys. They walked upright on two legs, and as far as I have seen, they had no claws, talons, fangs, or other types of weapons to defend themselves, which is likely how they all went extinct." Milo pointed out the picture of the group of humans to Theory. "The Lost Species lived in pack-like communities, like us wolves do. They built the ruins we see today as a form of shelter or communal gathering, then marked important places with strange runes and symbols. I've seen massive buildings all bearing red crosses, and I believe those were where their healers worked and where people went for their services and to worship them as deities." Then Milo pointed to a picture of a couple, the woman holding a small rectangular object outstretched in her hand. "And that is their Godbox, or at least that's what I've called it. I haven't found a good translation for the relic yet, but I believe that box was what they worshipped more than anything else in the world. Every one of the Lost Species had one. I assume it was how they prayed to their god and received blessings from it, but I can't be sure." Finding a way to obtain a functional Godbox had been at the top of Milo's goals for some time now. Perhaps with the help of the Academy, his research would take off in leaps and bounds now!