Chapter 2

Okay, confirmed. This. is. a. joke!

I looked up and down from the paper where the address is to the old classic coffee shop in front of me.

I scoffed in disbelief.

But come to think of it, this place is rather more decent than I expected.

I’m glad I didn’t expect much.

Well then, I’ll just grab some coffee here before I go home. I kept the paper in the pocket of my jeans before reaching for the door.

To my surprise, the door opened first and some man wearing a black coat that hangs to his feet and also wearing a black hat came out of it.

I instantly walked backwards and the grim reaper-looking man glanced at me before walking away casually.

He didn’t even bother to say anything!

“Thanks!” I uttered sarcastically before entering the coffee shop. The bell chimed as soon as I came in.

To my surprise again, there’s no customer inside. There is only an old man in the counter who seems to be cleaning a coffee cup with a cloth. He must be the owner.

Our eyes met and I was amazed of his distinct green eyes. I walked to his direction and sat on one of the stools.

“Good day young lady, are you sure you aren’t lost?” He asked with an approachable smile but with utter confusion. He had this white hair and beard, and a white complexion.

Well that’s an unusual way to greet a customer? 

“Good day, can I have some caffe latte please?” I asked with a polite smile, ignoring his question as I don’t know how to respond to that. I’m not lost but I’m in the middle of both feeling the disappointment even though I already know the disappointment.

The owner of the coffee shop just shrugged and started to make my coffee.

Okay, now what? No school accepted me and the last light just burned out 10 seconds ago. I feel so dejected. What am I gonna do now? 

Should I just run away from home, find a decent job and return back when I earn enough?

I groaned.

Because no, mom would literally find me until she does and kill me herself.

Then should I admit the truth with my knees on the floor?

I groaned again.

No, she’d kill me right there.

Then should I—

“Lady, is everything alright with you?”

“No.”

I immediately sat right up when I realized what I just responded to. And I didn’t realize I was almost stooping down on the counter top like it’s my desk. 

I gave the old man a polite yet embarrassed smile. “I’m sorry. It’s just, it’s a bad day,” I explained.

He also smiled at me before sliding the cup of coffee I ordered. “Perhaps you can tell me about your ‘bad’ day since I’m just a stranger. As they say, talking to strangers can be really helpful,” he said with the hoarse voice of an old man. 

I guess I really do need it.

I clasped my fingers, pursed my lips before inhaling an air.

“I couldn’t get into any college. I got rejected by the ten schools I applied in and now I don’t know how to tell my mother about it. Isn’t that awful?”

For me, it’s the most awful thing I’ve ever experienced because my future was at stake. If people heard about this, they’d surely and definitely laugh and redicule me.

I looked up to the old man as he didn’t say anything.

I saw him eyeing me curiously.

“Did you perhaps received an email like this?” He suddenly asked before placing a formally folded paper on the counter beside my coffee. 

I confusingly opened the letter and saw that it was the same exact thing with the logo and the name of the academy and everything. I looked at the old man with wide eyes.

“Yes!” I exclaimed, standing up. “Wait, this is legit!?”

“Yes, lady. Why would you think it’s not?” The confused expression had not yet left the old man’s face.

I gave him an innocent duhh! expression and sat down again. “Because I didn’t apply for it? But I received an email?” I almost raised an eyebrow.

“They actually told me to come to this address. I thought it was the school because of the map but there’s only this coffee shop here. I am utterly clueless.”

I felt kind of relieved that it actually exists but I’m still confused as to what is happening. The coffee shop owner is the only hope I have.

“Clueless is indeed the word for you,” he said with pure amusement before pointing at the coffee cup I haven’t touched.

The latte art on my caffe latte was not a leaf nor a smiley face or anything but the logo of the academy.

“Wow!” I exclaimed with astonishment.

“You can see it, do you?” He asked and my forehead creased.

“Yeah? Of course, I can see it. I mean, you made it,” I uttered carefully.

He shook his head. “Nope. Only a true Loriostrian can see it.”

My eyes shifted from the coffee to the old man and back and forth. “What do you mean?”

He suddenly laughed heartily like that white-bearded guy with a red uniform that appears every Christmas would.

But then I also heard laughs behind me in a high-pitched tone. I turned around and I was pretty sure the small plants in a pot which are on the tables and beside the windows moved.

Did they?

“However, how is it possible that I don’t feel your elemental energy?” I turned to face the old man and his face is now inches away from me.

My eyes grew when I saw his green eyes glowed for a second.

“E-elemental what?” I asked nervously as I grabbed my pouch. 

“Who are you?” He asked and gone was his approachable aura.

I stood up, trying to get away from him. “I should be the one asking you that, who are you?”

The old man stood up properly and straightened his clothes. I watched him grabbed something below the counter and it was a cap. A cap that resembles a police cap but has the emblem of Loriostro Academy.

“It seems that you don’t really know why you’re here. Perhaps the Dean can answer both our questions.” He went out of the counter and I took several steps back as he approached me. 

What is he going to do? Kill me? Oh gosh, what’s going on!?

I almost closed my eyes but then I saw him offered his hand for a handshake. “Let me introduce myself young lady. I am Rebenkoff, one of the guardians of the entrance to Estenaethria and the passage to Loriostro Academy.” 

I took it reluctantly and said, "Lorcé" before swallowing a lump on my throat.

He placed his hands behind his back after. “I know an Estenaethrian and Loriostrian when I see one, however, you stepped into my territory and you don’t possess the elemental energy that we have. On the contrary, you are no doubt a Loriostrian. A confused one exactly.  I am certain that this phenomenon can only be explained by the honorable Dean of Loriostro Academy, Lady Sultana.”

What on earth is he talking about!?

He then stretched his hand to the direction of the door beside the counter of the coffee shop. “Shall we?”

I cluelessly followed him to that door. He tilted his head to the closed door with a closed-lip smile as if commanding me to go first.

I stretched my hand to reach the door knob while staring at him. I turned the knob around and was about to walk forward but I immediately backed out with a scream as soon as I saw what’s inside.

“AAAHH!”

I fell beside Rebenkoff’s shoes. I stared at him in fear. “Are, are you trying to kill me!?”

He didn’t answer, instead, he offered his hand. I accepted it and he helped me get up.

He then walked towards the now opened door and said, “This is the door to Estenaethria.”

I peeked down at the door again, horrified.

“This!?” I pointed at the 'deep and dark hole' on the floor. The horror never left my face. 

“This is a damn sink hole!”