Dear students, for the last time ever, welcome to this class. First of all, I would like to thank all of you. This has been a wonderful four years spent here, discovering the mysteries and subtleties of our past. You have gone a long way – from young people, perhaps not sure about their future, to aspiring historians, ready to begin your own work, be it in this Institute, any of the other ones or even one of the Southern academies. I will not discuss any more historical events, but before you go, I would like to tell you about what I think a historian should be like.
First, you should be honest and truthful. The authority you get as scholars is a great responsibility. People will accept your words as almost absolute truth, so you should weigh each of them well. A single lie or purposeful imprecision on your side may not only ruin your credibility, but also have a real impact on many lives. I hope that what we discussed here has shown you that lies lead to no good at the end of the day. Always strive to be like Emperor Nyther, never to be the trickster Ethar.
Second, you should always look for knowledge. Finishing this course does not mean you know everything you can about history. Think of it as a basis, and a set of tools that will be useful in your further studies. No matter how much you learn, you will always find new opportunities to gain more expertise in certain fields, either by studying the work of others or by interaction with real evidence of the past, which I highly encourage. Be like the explorers that found Aedilër and led the colonists into her grounds, or those who navigated the ocean in the Fourth Era, discovering all parts of this world.
Third, you should have an open mind. People tend to approach problems with expectations, which hinders their perspective. You should always look at the issues that trouble you with plenty of questions, but no answers. That way, you will find what you really want to, not what you thought you wanted. If you stay within the realm of your assumptions, you will only keep moving in circles, and make no progress. Avoid that at all costs.
Last, but definitely not least, you should be brave. History is full of brave people – emperors, kings, commanders and soldiers. Scholars are often forgotten in such lists, and this is a shame. As those who possess knowledge, you have great power, but it comes with a cost. You are the bearers of the truth, and truth can often be painful. You will certainly encounter many that will not want to hear it – or, even worse, become hostile when they do. No matter who you encounter and what happens, don’t be afraid to speak all the truth. Even if some hate it, it is necessary for them to reach peace.
Keep all of this in mind, as you will need to be pure in order to bring good to science. And now – thank you once again for being here for all those years we spent together. Go to the world, and conquer it with wisdom, for it is the true power!
Aedilër 