"YOU ONLY come here when you either caused another commotion or when you need permission about something." Was what Xerxes first said as soon as the door to his office opened and that familiar face came into view, accompanied by a sheepish smile. "So, which one is it this time?" Alesteria couldn't help but giggle at how Xerxes greeted her because she had been causing him headaches since she was five years old. She didn't get into too much trouble back then, but she knew Xerxes would send his own knights to keep an eye on her from afar, both to keep her safe and out of trouble. Tristan is at Xerxes' side, per usual, holding a bunch of documents while smiling at Alesteria. "I think the princess is here to ask you something." Tristan commented as he looked at Alesteria knowingly. "She rarely visits me and if she does, that will probably why she is here." Xerxes commented too, not leaving his gaze from the paper in his hands. Alesteria was a little bit offended by their words but kn
"I NEVER thought I would see the day you five will all be gathering like this again." Was what Aldrich said as soon as he walked to the table with his usual grin. "So, what's the agenda for today?" Alesteria furrow her eyebrows at his words, seeing that he was teasing them again, while the rest stood up simultaneously and curtsied towards the two princes. Aimilios is standing beside him, without an inch of expression on his face, but his eyes were soft as he looked at Alesteria. Alesteria erased the furrow of her eyebrows and replaced it with a smile aimed at Aimilios only, which Aldrich pouted as he sulked. "Greeting to the future sun of the empire and future Duke of the Lidloch." Aldrich smiled at them momentarily, seeing that he is in a good mood all of a sudden, as he waves his hand and motion for them to stand up straight. They all did so as Aldrich wastes no time and turned to Alesteria with the same sulking expression. "Why did you only smile at Theo? I'm here too!" Ale
ALDRICH'S SUGGESTION was enough for Alesteria to think of a way to go to the Holy Temple, whether Xerxes knows about it or not. After the talk and their teatime, both Aldrich and Aimilios left to continue their duties for that day. Since the two of them are heirs, they mostly do that, but the workload has been quite heavy for the last few days as they are slowly transitioning to their positions. There has been talks that Morgaine is slowly giving Aimilios all of her work, which could only mean that it will only be a matter of time before he will be the Duke of Lidloch. On the other hand, Aldrich is being given responsibilities for both economic and military aspects of the empire. 'I'm grateful that they still have some time for me, even if all we did is talk about favors and such.' Alesteria said to herself with a small smile. Aimilios and Aldrich are not hard to please, but Xerxes is a different story since he is dead set on not letting her near the temple, let alone talk to the
ICH WAS pissed, not because Markus left as soon as he gave him all the duties and authorities under the guild while introducing him as his 'substitute', but because of the chaos the guild has become when Markus left. Markus failed to redirect all the clients he had already approved of to Ich, so many of them demanded to meet him even though Ich is now the acting guild leader. For example... "Where is the guild leader?! Are you saying I am not noble enough to meet him?!" A client shouts at Ich as the latter just sat there looking bored as ever. Ich is at a meeting with a potential client and behind him, helping him through all of this chaos, is Markus' aide, Kae. Kae is also responsible for transferring all qualified clients to Ich, but he forgot to do so because to Markus' rash decision. Additionally, Markus' decision made a lot of members rebel since Ich is just new to the guild and many of them have been there for years. Such jealousy made the guild a little unstable, so Kae h
TIRED AND maybe a little bit sleep deprived, Alesteria dived into the bed while groaning and letting her entire body relax. The momentary relaxation she had was enough to make her consider how busy her entire week had been. She was actually tired from preparing for her journey to the Academy as she also sent a letter to the principal informing her arrival there, his reply was more than welcoming, as if he was waiting for this moment ever since. That aside, she also sent a letter to Kairo, informing him on when she will arrive there so he could meet her. Now, all she has to do is wait for tomorrow. She is alone in her room at the moment as Parie is with Klaus, doing absolutely whatever she wants around the palace before they leave. Alesteria has no idea what it is, but she let her be so she can rest without Parie annoying her about something. Lately, that seems to be her mission. Alesteria laid on her bed, her back on the foam while looking at the ceiling and couldn't help but lo
"YOU GOT all of your stuff there? Nothing left?" Alesteria rolled her eyes and crossed her arms at Aldrich. "How many times would you ask me that? I didn't leave anything behind, and I doubled check." It is the day Alesteria is leaving for the academy, and everyone is busy loading up Alesteria's belonging to the carriage specifically made just for her, which was gifted to her by Xerxes on her fourteenth birthday. "I can't believe you are leaving already when we just met up a day ago!" Gabrielle exclaimed; her expression screams sadness as she sighs. Alesteria smiled at Gabrielle while Eve is still clinging to her, sniffing every now and then as small tears travel down her cheeks. "You didn't say that the last time we meet will be your farewell party. I would've brought something for you then." Eve said and she tried to wipe her tears. Hayden chuckled slightly at Eve and patted her head, "Her highness loves to surprise us so neither of us knew." "Well, I did." Aldrich whispered
"WE HAVE been here in this carriage for over three days, and I am officially over it." Parie announced as she turned to the open window and breathe in the fresh air, still dizzy as the carriage moves. Alesteria opened her eyes and looked at her while she is leaning, feeling dizzy herself from the continuous carriage ride with only minimal breaks. "Just hang on there, I think we are almost near the place we are supposed to be." Klaus, who is still perfectly fine even after three days, turned to the window and spoke. "I think we are here." As Parie lifted her head to look out the window, Alesteria turned to face it. The temple was so large that it completely obscured the blue sky from where they were. It was a rustic building with various engravings and a bell on top that resembled a church. The windows had various colors and drawings that represented their doctrine, and the door was twice the size of an adult. Even though they could only view the temple's exterior, they could tel
"THAT IS what you want to ask me?" Kairo asked while raising an eyebrow as his eyes were on Alesteria, along with an emotion asking her if she is sure of what she was asking. "Out if all the things that happened, and still happening, you want to start with that?" Kairo was surprised nonetheless, that out of all the things she could've started, she decided to go along with that. They haven't seen each other in over a millennium, considering he vanished, and she became a princess of the most powerful empire in the world, while Kairo suddenly became a prophet and entered the temple he once despised. So, there will undoubtedly be many inquiries on both sides. Despite his mocking comment, Alesteria frowned at him in return, taking offense as she snapped at him. "Just answer the damn question." Hearing her usual crass speaking, Kairo shrugged and felt a little more comfortable. He found comfort that even though the woman in front of him is not the same as the one in his memories, the
AS ALESTERIA packed her bags, she couldn't help but reminisce the two years she stayed in the academy. She remembered having fun around the campus, Kallista and her enjoying lunch by the oak tree behind the building, and the times Parie stole from the dessert aisle at the cafeteria.It was quite a ride for her and leaving feels surreal. It felt bittersweet as the breeze blew coldly, autumn might just be a week away as she closed her window.She closed her eyes and sighed, turning to look at the room she resided for the past two years, an unfamiliarity strings along as she looked at the half-barren room."This feels oddly...sad." She muttered to herself as she looked down at the bag on her bed, yet to be filled with clothes.‘I never expected to be so nostalgic about this.’Alesteria smiled to herself, feeling that the quiet halls and main grounds that are usually filled with people are what
LOUD CHEERS and chants can be heard throughout the stadium as a woman with a high ponytail and blonde hair stepped into the stage, her outfit is similar to those who will go horse-riding except there is a slight modification.She is wearing a half cape, one that is on her right shoulder alone, as well as a badge that glistened when the sunlight shined on it.It was a badge of the magic department and as soon as she stopped in the middle of the stage, a large screen projecting her was shown to the rest who can't see her clearly as the stage is farther from the audience seats.One girl bounced excitedly, her dark magenta hair and jade-colored eyes waved at the person while a certain lapiz-lazuli eyed prince kept her at bay, putting hand on her waist."Alesteria!"The blonde-girl, Alesteria, turned to who called her name so familiarly and as she did, everyone screamed louder as Alesteria smiled beautifully while waving back gracefully.The girl who called her is Eve, and beside her is Ai
"CLASS DISMISSED."The sound of the studengs chattering as they left the room made Alesteria breathe out a sigh of relief. It has been a month since she started teaching and her classes are well-made, as one of the professors said when they passed by one time when she was teaching.'Not sure whether to take that as an insult or compliment.' Alesteria thought as she shakes her head.She gather up her things and the moment she stepped out of the room, she saw Kallista waiting for her with a huge smile on her face, her eyes sparkling."Ales!" Kallista happily called as she walked towards Alesteria.Alesteria thought it was a puppy waiting for her, seeing how Kallista is in a good mood."Kallista, you're here early." Alesteria commented with a smile on her face as well.Kallista giggled and blushed, "Well, it is near lunch time and you know... We are eating at the cafeteria, right?"Alesteria almost laughed at how Kallista suddenly blushed, hearing that lunch break is in about five minute
IF ALESTERIA hadn't had such a lengthy patience span, she would have lost her cool right then and there. Thankfully, with years and centuries of being with Parie, that patience paid off quite well. Speaking of Parie, the same pixie is annoying Alesteria after she returned to her side and Alesteria has returned to her dorm after teaching. It was still a little early, so Alesteria decided to read a book in peace, but Pari seemed to have other plans for them. "C'mon! Just tell me a little bit! We are friends, right? Comrades! Please Alesteria!" Parie pestered her as she keeps flying around Alesteria's head like a pesky bug. Alesteria sighed, irritated, as she waves her hand and send a gust of wind to Parie's direction which made her flew back as she tumbled with a soft thud on the bed. "Hey! That wasn't very nice!" She said angrily with a pout as she sat up, crossing her arms. Alesteria closes her book and stared at Parie before finally giving in. "Fine. What is it that you wanted
"HELLO, EVERYONE. I am Alesteria Elsi Alaric, your new assistant professor for this semester. It's nice to meet you all." Alesteria's honey-blonde hair, which was normally not tied or braided, is now in a ponytail as she wore glasses. It was not her idea to wear something like that, but Laroi convinced her to make her look more 'professor-like' in Laroi's term. After Alesteria introduced herself, Laroi standing next to her, the students from the academic’s department whispered to themselves as they stare at Alesteria. They are confused as to why she is there as their curiosity and confusion began to create a buzz, not because Alesteria is an assistant professor, but because she is standing in front of everyone in her uniform. Not just in her uniform, which is the same as the rest of the students in the academic department, she is still wearing her magic department badge as it is proudly pinned on her right chest. Usually, an assistant professor instructing the first-year students
ALESTERIA WAS still calm, but she was annoyed at how Kallista is acting. Both of them are sixteen and they are in the same grade, same class. However, many can see the stark difference between the two. And yet, no one dared to pick sides. Kallista didn't utter a word after Alesteria spoke and they just stared at each other, wanting to be the victor in this staring contest as the air got colder. It is not just their gazes, but Kallista is unknowingly releasing her mana that made the temperature go low. If Alesteria is capable of controlling the pressure and air, Kallista can influence the temperature depending on her mood. Alesteria notices this and took note of it, but as of the moment, she did nothing. Alesteria is unaffected by it, but the other students are not, so it is no surprise when the cold atmosphere was cut short by a familiar voice, breaking the staring contest. "Kallista!" Alesteria and Kallista turned their head simultaneously. From the door, they saw Levi panting
"THERE YOU are!" Parie greeted Alesteria with a huge smile as Alesteria sat down, Klaus is in front of her and there are two sets of food waiting to be eaten. Parie is holding a macaron, which is bigger than her, as she waves at Alesteria. "So, how did it go with Laroi?" Parie asked, taking a bite out of her macaron. "Eventful, I would say." Alesteria responded as she took the cup of drink, guessing it is iced tea, as she drank it. She sets it down after taking half of the drink before turning to Klaus. "We only have five semesters left. Laroi, I mean the principal, gave us an incentive." Alesteria announced as she leaned on her seat and cross her arms, sighing. "We might get home early than intended." Originally, the academy has two semesters per year. There is a summer and winter vacation, for normal students, but since Alesteria agreed to stay for at least two years only, she has taken three semesters in just one year. That left her no time to go home for both the summer and
TWO DAYS passed and Alesteria's name is still creating a huge buzz in the academy. In a manner of a day, what happened in the training ground was spread far and wide within the academy as other departments also heard about it. In the academy, there is three department in total. The first one is the Magic department, where nobles and commoners alike who have innate mana in them belong to this department. There is a lot of nobles than the commoners, but nonetheless, they are enrolled in this department if they show the slightest amount of mana. There is also the Knight department, where those who want to be a knight/escort belong to this department. It can also vary to people who have a talent for the sword to nobles who are mandated to learn the sword, may it be their family tradition or their own will to do so. Lastly, there is the Academics department. The students that belong in this department are geniuses, or just plain smart. They do not have the mana like those in the magic d
"THIS IS... room 203-A? Ah, right." Alesteria look up from her schedule, the one Laroi gave her, as she looks up to the little sign by the door while any students are looking at her, who is wearing the academy's uniform. It looks so foreign on Alesteria, they noted. It was just a simple black uniform, with a plaid skirt and white long sleeve, a black tie, and black coat with the academy's patch sewed on the right side, pockets on each side of the coat and skirt. Still, no matter how plain it actually looks like, Alesteria's honey-blonde hair and ocean blue eyes stands out from the uniform, making her more beautiful than ever. "Why is your schedule at eight in the morning? You should start by ten!" Parie complained as she yawned, her eyes a bit swollen from just waking up as she sat on Alesteria's shoulder. She was forced to wake up as Klaus is on his class, and she did promise that she will take Klaus' place as Alesteria's companion while he studies. Parie is not one to break her