THE VERY next day, news about what happened at Duchess Loreant had spread as numerous people read the scandal all over LiLac Publishing, the name of the newspaper owned by Duchess Loreant. Of course, the newspaper didn't miss any slightest detail about what occurred, gaining testimonies from nobles whose names are hidden and many details that the Duchess has written herself. She even included the princes being the hero of the party, telling everyone that the princes were the ones who revealed the Loyfiere and their schemes while also mentioning how the princess was the actual victim. Many people whispered among themselves about how this could've happened in such a short period of time, but it was forgotten as soon as their attention has been turned to the Loyfiere. "It seems that their plan worked." The Marchioness Sylvestra's son commented as he puts down the newspaper, smirking to himself. Duchess Loreant's daughter nodded. "All's well that ends well." Marchioness Vlyseka's d
ALESTERIA FELT better after a few days of rest, still having Xerxes beside her as he guards her but she seems that it is a bit excessive since days have passed since she fainted. Still, Xerxes ordered her to rest more. 'I have been cooped up in this room for nearly a week! All I do is just read, eat, sleep, and nothing else.' She complained to herself as she pouted. Xerxes was strict, being by her side at all times and even watching her read the books that a maid brought her to entertain herself. Although, Alesteria knew that she, herself, hasn't gained back her strength now that she had forcefully broken the lock that contained all of the mana residing in her body. She is weak at the moment, even her soul mana has weakened when she fainted due to the collision of both mana in her body, causing it to be unstable. She also used her soul's mana to astral project, so when she came back from fainting, the mana that she has left was used in order to not let her soul astray during the p
"IS THAT some weird pick-up line that you say to strangers, little thief?" Alesteria snapped out of her daze upon hearing the boy's response and glared at him, almost sneering at him at how he looked at her almost teasingly. "Pwick up line? What awe you? Twen?" The boy laughed. "Actually, almost ten." Alesteria huffed, clearly defeated by the boy's rebuttal bit refusing to admit to it loudly. Although, the boy seemed to be amused at her expression as he stared at her. 'She gives off a familiar feeling. Just who is she?’ The boy asked himself as he thought deeply. The boy has this strange sense of nostalgia when he first laid his eyes on Alesteria. It was something so familiar and comforting that he, himself, was taken aback for a moment before composing himself and capturing her. If he didn't do so, Alesteria might've gotten away and he may lose his chance right then and there. When their eyes met, that emotion inside of him intensified almost immediately. It was like a river
NADIA WAS laughing so hard that she had turned red as Ich was in a similar color, but it was due to anger and embarrassment from Alesteria's comment. After Alesteria said that, there was a moment of silence between them but was soon broken when Nadia snorted as she continues to laugh, seemingly enjoying the insult that was meant for Ich. On the other hand, Ich was shocked, at first, as no one has ever disrespected him in such a way. He has always been feared and respected, so he thought that wherever he goes, it should be expected that he will be treated the same. However, this young, little, fragile, and weak child has the courage to humiliate him... In front of Nadia, no less. "BWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I-I CAN'T!!" Nadia's laugh was loud and contagious, however, Alesteria knew that if she were to laugh alongside her, Ich will definitely throw a fit and blow off his head. Ich turned to Nadia with an annoyed expression plastered on his face while Alesteria was grinning from ear to e
"THERE! GOOD as new!" Nadia exclaimed as soon as she removed the towel on top of Alesteria's head, a huge smile plastered on her face as the blonde locks came into view like glistening gold. Nadia made her wear a temporary dress, one that is old and seemed like it was cut straight out of a cloth, as her previous clothes were dirty. The cloth itself didn't suit Alesteria, but it is better than nothing. "Pwuah!" Nadia tried to stop herself from squealing at Alesteria's reaction from removing the towel, the cute little princess' chubby cheeks bounced as her lips formed into an 'o' shape. However, the keyword here is 'tried'. "Kyaaaa~! You are so cute, princess!" Alesteria was suddenly lifted up as her eyes widened, Nadia put her cheeks on Alesteria's and felt the soft, squishy, jelly-like cheeks bouncing off her own. This thrilled Nadia even more. "Even your cheeks are sooooo cute~! Kyaaaaaa~!" Alesteria let Nadia do what she does while looking like a doll in her arms, her blank
"WELCOME BACK to the capital, Duke Lidloch." Morgaine was greeted by Duchess Loreant when she visited her home, as per their promise to each other in their letters as they no longer have the chance to see each other that often as before. Morgaine smiled widely and lightly hugged the Duchess, who is an old friend of hers. Duchess Loreant, Sylvestra, Vlyseka, and Morgaine are friends’ way back when they were teens as they attended the same academy for nobles. Loreant was still an Earl, Sylvestra and Vlyseka a Viscount, while Morgaine was, of course, a Duke. The only person who was added to their circle was Alana, the deceased empress. "Thank you, Duchess. But don’t call me by such a formal title.” "Yes, Duke.” “Minerva.” Duchess Loreant smiles as she finally gave in. “Yes, Morgaine.” Morgaine instantly smiled at this and the servants saw it, making them instantly gush at how gorgeous she is. Morgaine is known throughout the empire as one of the most beautiful women in the capi
EARLIER THAT day... "Here, we have arrived." Alesteria looked up slightly so that she can see where they are, her eyes were covered by a cloak while her hair is tied into a low ponytail; contained inside the cloak. She held Nadia's hand while Neo is in front of them. Ich is standing behind them with a frown because he was forced to come along, holding Nadia's other hand. More specifically, Nadia dragged him. "This place will not tattle anything to the knights, even if it's illegal." Nadia commented as she gave Alesteria a huge smile. Alesteria stilled. 'Illegal...?' She looked at Nadia to see if she was kidding or if she just made a slip of the tongue, but she wasn't. Alesteria felt a sudden chill run down her spine. "Tch. Why do I need to be here? You three could've just picked out the clothes that she needed." Neo turned to Ich. "Because you, too, need new clothes." Ich clicked his tongue again. "I'm fine with my old clothes. I don't need new ones." Nadia rolled her ey
"CWAN'T YOU wun fastew?!" Alesteria held Ich's hand tightly as they ran to the alleyway, bumping into several people and even knocking down a barrel behind them to slow down the knights, but they just jumped over it. "And who runs the slowest here?! I'm even ahead of you!" Ich shouted as he knocks another barrel down. "I'm gwetting tiwed owkay?! Gibe me a bweak!" Alesteria has now have her face shown as her hair dances with the wind, her blonde hair catching the attention of the people they passed by. "Isn't that..." "No way...!" Ich curses under his breath as he notices that more and more people are noticing Alesteria; their pace becoming slower due to Alesteria's tiredness. Ich doesn't know what is happening but seeing that Alesteria ran after seeing those people near the clothing store, he believes that they are there to harm or kidnap her. He has no choice but to protect the little girl, or else Nadia might have his head. "I apologize in advance but there is no choice now
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