Akademeia

Akademeia is a major location in Final Fantasy Type-0 and Final Fantasy Agito. It is the capital of the Dominion of Rubrum, which serves as an academy for training Agito Cadets and the place of the Vermilion Peristylium that houses the Vermilion Bird Crystal. It is located on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge and serves as the home base for Class Zero.

Rubicus
''The oldest exact verse of scripture in Akademeia is perhaps the most open to interpretation: "Unto Orience came the Crystal of the Vermilion Bird, to guide the children of Rubrum and bestow the great task upon them." The "great task" referred to herein is commonly understood to mean the creation of Agito, and it is to that end that Akademeia was established.''
 * Gel. XIII, 1 RG The Vermilion Dawn

''The grand halls we know now were initially naught but a single schoolhouse, a quiet sanctuary where a few cadets might bask in the light of the Crystal as they sought enlightenment. Yet as the teachings of the first chancellor spread, so did the size of that humble schoolhouse.''

''By the year 100, the use of magic had become so prevalent that Akademeia was now responsible for both research and enrichment. Attack spells, which fell monsters and destroy obstacles, as well as defense spells, which heal the wounded, would be analyzed and reformulated day and night. This could then be taught to individuals enrolled as Agito Cadets who sought to actualize their full magic potential, thereby forming the basis of the Akademeia we have come to know. How a simple, cryptic verse could alter the course of so many lives is indeed nothing short of remarkable.''

Final Fantasy Type-0
Akademeia precedes the formation of Dominion of Rubrum. The school was formed around the peristylium of the Vermilion Bird Crystal to train cadets to become Agito, but the academy grew over time. When monsters attacked Akademeia and the onslaught was only quelled by the l'Cie of the Vermilion Bird Crystal, the previously loosely affiliated states of Rubrum, Togoreth, Iscah and Eibon unified to form the Dominion of Rubrum with Akademeia as its seat of power to protect the Crystal.

Akademeia is attacked by Militesi Empire after they break the Pax Codex and initiate a war. The empire disables the Vermilion Bird Crystal via their crystal jammer and thus nullifies Akademeia's magic barrier. Cadets who would later be known as Class Zero are deployed to take down the jammer. Ace requests Izana Kunagiri be deployed to deliver his team a communicator, but Izana and his chocobo Chichiri fall in battle. Ace finds the duo before they perish but it is too late to save Izana, so Ace only takes Izana's Knowing Tag and the communicator. His memories of Izana are removed by the Vermilion Bird Crystal.

With aid from heir informants via the communicator, Ace and his fellow cadets infiltrate the Militesi structure and disable the first crystal jammer. Machina Kunagiri and Rem Tokimiya face off against Qun'mi Tru'e, the White Tiger Crystal's Secundus l'Cie, at the arena, but the crystal jammer in her magitek armor renders the two powerless. Ace and his friends arrive for help, and to Qun'mi's surprise summon the Eidolon Odin. Qun'mi is defeated and teleports to safety as her magitek armor and the crystal jammer within explode. With the power of the Vermilion Bird Crystal returning, Rubrum forces drive the imperials out of Akademeia.

Since the foundation of Akademeia, cadets and trainees alike had only participated in drills and other wartime activities as part of their training to become Agito. They had never engaged in combat for the purpose of achieving military goals, or at least not in an official capacity. The commandant thus placed the cadets under military command with Chancellor Chival VI declaring the dominion--and, by association, the peristylium--to be in a state of emergency. With the consortium's approval, the cadets are organized into military units.

The cadets who could withstand the crystal jammer are a special group of cadets tutored by the archsorceress Arecia Al-Rashia. Impressed by their prowess, the administration decides to enroll them to the academy immediately under the name Class Zero and to start deploying them on missions. As Ace is heading to the Class Zero homeroom he runs into Arecia who tells him the class is to get two new recruits, Machina and Rem, but as they are different from the other Class Zero members, she warns him of telling the two of the true nature of phantoma.

Machina learns his brother died in the Capital Liberation and tries to find out why he was deployed, but the records are confidential. After Class Zero helps Rubrum retake the Rubrum Region from the empire, Ace overhears Arecia arguing with a military commander over Izana's deployment and how he had asked for him, but is unable to tell of this to Machina. The cadets are deployed to take back Togoreth, and although the mission succeeds the entire area is obliterated when the White Tiger l'Cie Nimbus appears and the Vermilion Bird Crystal deploys its owns l'Cie, Zhuyu Voghfau Byot, to intercept him. Though given a withdrawal order, many cadets perish.

Outside Entrance
The entrance building to Akademeia.
 * Main Gate:

The central area leading from the Main Gate to the Entrance building, the Arena, and the Airship Landing. At the center is a fountain with the statue of a Vermilion Bird.
 * Fountain Courtyard:


 * Arena:

Located on the western path of the Fountain Courtyard, this is a colosseum-like area where cadets can take on combat practice.

Located on the eastern path of the Fountain Courtyard, this is where airships are docked. Akademeia's airships are looked after by a private contractor after the administration found the people in charge of the airships' security systems were neglectful. The flight division was disbanded and a private firm was hired instead.
 * Airship Landing:

Interior Entrance
The foyer of the main building of the academy. In the center of the room is the Great Portal that leads to various locations, while six smaller teleporters around the room lead to the various classrooms. Cadets are not authorized to visit other classrooms than their own.
 * Entrance:


 * Central Command:

A briefing room located north of the Great Portal in the Entrance, reachable by twin staircases. Senior commanders gather here, and the player can find out the next storyline mission in advance.

The Crystarium is located in the room east of the Entrance. A massive lending library, it houses the Rubicus.
 * Crystarium:

The secret laboratory of Kazusa Futahito, located behind a bookshelf in the Crystarium. After a cutscene where Kazusa takes the player to this area, it can be accessed anytime afterwards.
 * Kazusa's Laboratory:

Classroom Zero
Located in the room west of the Entrance, it is the hallway leading to Classroom Zero. It houses a Save Point and a portal leading to the Altocrystarium.
 * Hallway:

A room where one can activate and access the Altocrystarium System. The Altocrystarium can then be accessed from the Administration menu at relic terminals.
 * Altocrystarium:

The classroom for Class Zero. During free time, Moglin offers lectures to increase the party's stats and abilities, and an orderly is present to sell items. The cadets report here for briefing on their next mission.
 * Classroom Zero:

A small outdoor area leading out from Classroom Zero and to the cemetery.
 * Back Garden:

The cemetery where people of the dominion remember the fallen. It is impossible to enter this area, and it is only present in cutscenes.
 * Cemetery:

Great Portal

 * Sorcery:

The area of the Sorcery Division that specializes in researching magic. This area has a man who allows Class Zero to accept special orders during missions.

The office of Dr. Arecia Al-Rashia, located in the Sorcery room and further in is the Crystal Room for the Vermilion Bird Crystal. It is impossible to enter this area, and is only present in cutscenes.
 * Dr. Al-Rashia's Office:

The area of the Sixth Armory Guild that provides equipment for cadets.
 * Armory:

The academy's cafeteria, a common place for students to hang out.
 * Ready Room:

A lounge for students to hang out.
 * Lounge:

One of many balconies, it is another common place for students to hang out.
 * Terrace:

A small island located separately from the academy, where chocobos are bred and raised. Players can breed their chocobos to gain new ones, and can also try out riding a chocobo for free.
 * Chocobo Ranch:

Quests
During free time between missions, a variety of quests are available around Akademeia.

Events
Events are interactions with characters—both conversations and cutscenes—that yield reward items if selected. Events consume free time hours when they are selected for the first time, so it is not possible to complete all events in one playthrough.

Tasks
Tasks are requests from clients to fulfill a specific objective, such as obtaining items or defeating a number of enemies, to claim a reward. Tasks do not consume hours and can only be taken one at a time.

Expert Trials
Expert Trials are optional missions that can be taken to reclaim Overworld territory in advance, as well as offer more missions to be replayed. Their levels are usually higher than the player's current level when they are first available, encouraging players to attempt them only after completing the game for the first time.

Commissary
Aria Luricara sells items at the Class Zero classroom.

SPP Post
Items are added to the SPP Post shop by earning SPP by deploying support personnel in missions. The items to the shop are earned as special bounties.

Uniform
All students in Akademeia wear the same uniform, consisting of a black jacket and white pants for males, and a red plaid skirt and a black jacket for females. Both males and females also wear mantles tied at the neck with a gold ring that has a phoenix on it. The color of these mantles varies depending on the student's Class; for instance Class Zero has red mantles, Class First has blue mantles, and so on. Most students customize their uniform to suit their own personal style and/or for practicality in combat.

Members of Class Zero, along with Tiz and Joker, are also depicted as wearing long hooded overcoats; it is unknown if these coats are standard issue for all Akademeia students. Two alternate uniforms exist for Akademeia students.
 * The summer uniform consists of a short-sleeved white shirt, black gloves, and capes for all students, with a black tie and dark pants for male students and a black vest, bow tie, and black skirt for females.
 * The formal uniform is an alternate coloring of the students' standard uniforms; students wear red coats with black cuffs, white mantles, and white gloves, with black pants for male students and black skirts for females.

Classes
Aside from Class Zero, there are twelve classes that specialize in different duties for battle, along with a group designated for trainees. Classes are identified by the color of the mantles worn by its cadets, and each member of the Cranberry Knights represents the characteristics of its assigned class.


 * Class Zero - Known as a legendary or mysterious class, with the latest cadets chosen by Arecia Al-Rashia. They wear red mantles.
 * Members of this class include Ace and his companions in Final Fantasy Type-0, while only Ace remains in Final Fantasy Agito. Zhuyu Voghfau Byot is a former member of this class.
 * Class First - Known as "the Elite Class", and were the strongest group of cadets prior to Class Zero's arrival. They wear light blue mantles.
 * Members of this class include Aki Minahara, and Enra in Final Fantasy Type-0 and Queen in Final Fantasy Agito. Kurasame Susaya graduated from this class.
 * Class Second - Specializes in frontline offense, and even has a group of cadets dedicated to summoning Bahamut. They have the most members, but the most casualties as well. The class does joint missions with Class Third frequently. They wear indigo blue mantles.
 * Members of this class include Carla Ayatsugi in Final Fantasy Type-0, and Machina, Nine and Miyu Kagerohi in Final Fantasy Agito. Machina Kunagiri was in this class prior to his transfer to Class Zero.
 * Class Third - Specializes in Black Magic, and are the strongest group to do so. The class does joint missions with Class Second frequently. They wear purple mantles.
 * Members of this class include Quon Yobatz and Kiyo in Final Fantasy Type-0 and Cinque in Final Fantasy Agito.
 * Class Fourth - Specializes in recovery magic, leading many of its members to the battlefield as medics. There are few males in this class. They wear orange mantles.
 * Members of this class include Deuce in Final Fantasy Agito.
 * Class Fifth - Specializes in both offense and defense, giving them many opportunities to enter the battlefield. They wear yellow-green mantles.
 * Members of this class include, Ryid Uruk, and Ryo in Final Fantasy Type-0 and Eight in Final Fantasy Agito. Emina Hanaharu graduated from this class.
 * Class Sixth - Specializes in Black Magic along with Class Third. They wear green mantles.
 * Members of this class include Sice in Final Fantasy Agito.
 * Class Seventh - Specializes in recovery magic. They wear pink mantles.
 * Members of this class include Koharu in Final Fantasy Type-0 and Rem and Seven in Final Fantasy Agito. Rem Tokimiya was a member of this class prior to her transfer to Class Zero.
 * Class Eighth - Specializes in collecting Knowing Tags. They wear yellow mantles.
 * Class Ninth - A class who is thought to be lucky or special, but is actually working alongside the Intelligence Division and taking part in black ops. They wear brown mantles. They have a reputation of not studying and having poor grades. The administration set up a special outdoor learning facility for them.
 * Members of this class include Naghi Minatsuchi in Final Fantasy Type-0 and King in Final Fantasy Agito.
 * Class Tenth - Specializes in both offense and defense. They wear black mantles. They are said to be independent and usually don't perform joint missions.
 * Members of this class include Azuma in Final Fantasy Type-0 and Cater in Final Fantasy Agito.
 * Class Eleventh - Specializes in research, working alongside the Magic Department and the Arms Institute. They wear white mantles.
 * Members of this class include Trey in Final Fantasy Agito. Kazusa Futahito graduated from this class.
 * Class Twelfth - Known for its eccentric members. They wear turquoise mantles.
 * Members of this class include Mutsuki Chiharano in Final Fantasy Type-0 and Jack, Tohno Mahoroha, and the player cadet (by default) in Final Fantasy Agito. The player cadet may transfer to a different class depending on their current class standing.
 * Trainees - Cadets not yet assigned to a class. They wear grey mantles.

People Associated with Akademeia

 * Khalia Chival VI - The 174th Director and Headmaster of the Dominion of Rubrum.
 * Suzuhisa Higato, Commandant - Director of Military Affairs, age 53. Voiced by Kenji Utsumi.
 * Miotsuku Ofumaki, Cadetmaster - Director of Logistics, age 48. Voiced by Masako Nozawa.
 * Zaido Tekise, Provost - Director of Academics and Research, age 66. Voiced by Shigeru Chiba.
 * Tazuru Kisuga, Commissar - Authority of Magical Management, age 50. Voiced by Masako Ikeda.
 * Arecia Al-Rashia - Director of the Magic Department.
 * Kurasame Susaya - Class Zero's assigned Commander, Akademeia alumnus.
 * Kazusa Futahito - Academy researcher, Akademeia alumnus.
 * Emina Hanaharu - Officer in command, Akademeia alumna.
 * Tachinami Sho - Commanding officer.
 * Kasumi Tobuki - Commanding officer.
 * Shijima - Commanding officer.
 * Izumo - Commanding officer
 * Yamato - Commanding officer.
 * Cranberry Knights - Moogle assistants.
 * Class Zero - The protagonists of the game.
 * Ace
 * Deuce
 * Trey
 * Cater
 * Cinque
 * Sice
 * Seven
 * Eight
 * Nine
 * Jack
 * Queen
 * King
 * Machina Kunagiri
 * Rem Tokimiya
 * Aki Minahara - Class First student.
 * Enra - Class First student.
 * Carla Ayatsugi - Class Second student.
 * Asato - Class Second student.
 * Hiruhata - Class Second student.
 * Yano - Class Second student.
 * Akagi - Class Second student.
 * Nadeshiko - Class Second student.
 * Ayame
 * Ran
 * Tachibana
 * Hiiragi
 * Quon Yobatz - Class Third student.
 * Kiyo - Class Third student.
 * Ryid Uruk - Class Fifth student.
 * Ryo - Class Fifth student.
 * Koharu - Class Seventh student.
 * Naghi Minatsuchi - Class Ninth student.
 * Azuma - Class Tenth student.
 * Mutsuki Chiharano - Class Twelfth student.
 * Aria Luricara - Class Zero's merchant.
 * Tokito Oginaga - Rubrum soldier.
 * Shino - Rubrum soldier.
 * Obane - Rubrum soldier, caretaker at the Chocobo Ranch.
 * Hisho - Rubrum soldier, caretaker at the Chocobo Ranch.
 * Tsubasa - Rubrum soldier, caretaker at the Chocobo Ranch.

Musical Themes
Several themes are played in Akademeia. The first and most prominent is "Crystal Guide Us", which is a variation of the "Prelude". "Peaceful Times" plays after several storyline missions are completed, and eventually becomes the main background theme midway through the story. The third background theme is "Battle - Recapture Strategy", which plays midway through Chapter 7.

Etymology
Akademeia is an alternate Latin transcription of the word "Ἑκαδήμεια", "Academia".

Trivia

 * Yusuke Naora journeyed to a remote island off the coast of Japan that took over half a day of traveling to get there. While on the island he caught a fish, but realized he feared the open ocean. This formed the basis for his inspiration for the island home to the Rubrum Akademeia, the school Class Zero attend. The wrecked airship off the coast of the island is inspired by Naora's fear of the sea.
 * The nature of the surprise attack on Akademeia draws upon many of the raids and assaults carried out by aircraft in the war, notably to that of Nazi Germany's attacks on London, the Imperial Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor, and to the United States' firebombing of Tokyo.