"Hmm. But if we wanted to interrogate them, this place wouldn't be a plausible one. Don't you think so?"
Minerva glanced at some of the people at the end of the street they were in.
Well, she admit that it was her fault. She accidentally released a huge amount of ice blocks that the others heard. Furthermore, this place was filled with mercenaries who were experienced. If there was anyone near them, they would surely heard the fight that broke in here. If fight was the right term to call for this.
"Who were they?" A baritone voice was heard from the crowd of people. Zinnia squinted her eyes and stretched her arm. The crowd, especially those who were in front, immediately screeched. They must've thought that Zinnia was about to attack them. However, what she only did was made a barrier that was made of vines. It was only a temporary barrier anyway. She only did that so they could escape safely.
"It's a
"Damn, they're dead." Zinnia muttered as soon as they arrived at the forest near the Restricted Area. The two assassins who attacked them were now dead lying on the ground."The commotion distracted us too much that we didn't take the poison on their mouth.""It's fine." Minerva said. Although it was a pity that they both died and were unable to be interrogated to know who was behind this attempted assassination, the leads that they had weren't completely erased.She stepped forward to look closely to one of the assassins. She crouched and pulled down the hood of the assassin and there she saw a tattoo. It was a star-shaped tattoo on their necks."What's this? Do you know any organization that have this tattoo?" Zinnia asked.Minerva just shook her head. Before, when she was just a child, three people tried to assassinate her and her parents when they were in the Halen Empire. It was
"My apologies for not introducing myself. I'm Claire Raphaela de Zielony. Nice to finally meet you, Minerva Chrysalis de Ivrea."What… the heck?Minerva was dumbfounded at the blonde woman, whose name was Claire, sudden revelation.Zinnia had a sister? And a jeweled eye wielder on top of that? Why did she mention anything to her?Furthermore, why did she only see her now?Wait, hold on a sec...She said that her name was Claire. And if Minerva recalled correctly, on her birthday, there was someone named Claire who would gift her with some books. She didn't bother to ask her father about Claire's background as there were a lot of people who gave her gifts. Minerva only recalled her name as the books that she gave was too interesting."Uh, Minnie…?"Minerva woke up from her reverie when she heard Zinnia called her name
"Ah, I'm tired." Minerva muttered as she plopped her body to the bed.Minerva and Zinnia had both returned from the West as what Claire had instructed them. Although it was a bit sad that they couldn't continue looking around, they didn't have a choice but to obliged."It was those two noobs' fault. If it weren't for them, Zinnia and I could've enjoy ourselves more. We could've went to the downtown instead." She murmured, "Our mood already sunken due to what happened on the restaurant and yet those two fools further destroyed their plans! How I wish they didn't die sooner.""You could always sneak out you know." Sora said as he went out of the pendant of her necklace. He sat down on the couch and folded his legs."Did you see anything different from the assassins earlier when they attacked you?""Different?" Minerva thought for a while. She tried to recall when the assassins had atta
The next morning, Minerva woke up early to freshen herself up. Although the class would officially start in a few days, she decided to roam around the academy to familiarize herself. If the attempted assassination didn't happen yesterday, she and Zinnia would've gone outside for a stroll. But alas, luck wasn't on their side.Nevertheless, it wasn't that bad at all. She had a chance to stroll around the academy and hopefully, she might found herself a place where she could stay on her own."Good morning, Minnie!" Zinnia happily greeted her as soon as she opened the door."Good morning to you, too." She greeted with a smile."Let's go! I heard that Serena, Sancho, Parker, and Marcus were already in the dining room.""Huh? Already? But it was too early." Minerva said in surprise.On their respective dorms, there was a dining area. However, there was still a dining room
"Good morning, Minnie and Zinnia." Serena happily greeted as soon as the two of them arrived at the dining room."Good morning. I'm sorry I didn't know that you were waiting." Minerva apologized. Serena waved her hand."It's nothing. Parker and I were talking about our mission so we didn't notice the time.""Serena, don't forget to give us something when you return, okay?" Zinnia said as soon as she sat down beside Marcus. Minerva also sat beside her."Sure, sure. I'd look around the Zelrov if I have time.""Oh, so you were going to Zelrov Continent?" Minerva asked in surprise. Wasn't Zinnia's sister, Claire, the one that was assigned as Czar in Zelrov?"Yup." Serena answered, "But I can't promise anything as of yet. After all, the four of us had to act as slaves.""Slaves?" Zinnia and Minerva asked in unison."Yeah, slaves. We do
The breakfast was over and Serena, Parker, and Sancho went home. Although Serena and Parker were sent together in a mission with Vernon and Hansel, it was also the same case for Sancho. He was sent into an A rank mission. Therefore, what was left was Minerva, Zinnia, and Marcus."Lady Zinnia, a student sent a message saying that the young lady was summoned by Professor Claire." A maid said after she knocked three times on the dining room."Ah? Okay." Zinnia stood up and looked at Minerva."I'll be back. If you want, you could go with Marcus.""It's fine. I'll just wait for you here." Minerva said with a smile. Then, Zinnia left leaving Minerva and Marcus."So…" Marcus began, "Uncle Santi didn't permit you to go outside the Larin Continent?""Huh?" Minerva took a bite from the cake before she answered, "I thought you already knew?""I had a h
Out for Santi's courtesy, Marcus excused himself so Minerva and Santi could have a time to talk. Although the tension increased as soon as Marcus left, Minerva chose to remain silent and let her father vent out. After all, it was her fault that she didn't say a word about the incident."Minerva Chrysalis, didn't I tell you to report to me immediately if something had happened to you? We talked last night before you went to sleep, right? I asked you if something happened but you just told me that you and Zinnia went outside to stroll. Nothing more. And yet just this morning, Claire had talked to me about the attempted assassination that happened yesterday? When you and Zinnia went outside?"Minerva bit the bottom of her lips and lowered her head. She knew that her father would certainly be mad about her hiding this for him. However, now that she had faced his anger, she couldn't help but feel regret on her decision."Wh
Santi just got home after he talked privately with Sora. With that, he found out thoroughly what actually happened on the day that Minerva and Zinnia was attacked.He couldn't help but purse his lips. He had eyed this organization for years yet he couldn't find anything. Adira had already helped yet the results were the same. Even Winter, the Pope of the Church of Larin, secretly sent out information about this unknown organization yet they couldn't find anything at all. Worse, Sora had been unable to track those three who attacked Santi, Kristina, and Minerva while they were on the Halen Empire ten years ago.Although they hadn't found anything despite their combined efforts, Santi had a little bit of an inkling on who might behind all of these. After all, nobody in this world was capable enough on hiding away from Sora's radar unless it wasthem.If it truly wasthem just like what Santi a
"Minnie?"Minerva snapped back from her thoughts as soon as she saw Marcus waving his hand in front of her. She was too lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice that he was calling her name."Oh, you were finally back from thinking deeply. Seriously, Minnie, you were the only one I knew that would often daze even in the middle of a tense conversation. Sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder what was running on your mind." Marcus said as his right cheek rested on his palm and looked at him with unmasked curiosity.Minerva scoffed and smacked his arm, which she often did to him."Shut up." She rolled her eyes, "And what was that about what was running on my mind? Seriously, Marcus, if you only knew, you wouldn't have wished to know."Of course, she was only joking. But Minerva didn't want to entertain Marcus anymore with this topic hence she ended this
"Do you perhaps understand this language?" Minerva asked. Marcus raised his head to look at her."Kind of. I was still studying that language but I don't have enough time. There were words and phrases that didn't make sense for me so I decided to take that books when I return home." He answered, "But if you wanted that book, you could borrow that before me.""I see." She muttered as she caressed the book."This language was rare. How did you learn about this?""Oh, that." Marcus knitted his brows as if he was recalling, "He had books that had the same language as that on his private library. I was curious about the book hence I asked him to teach me how to read that language. Although father didn't personally teach me how, he instead gave me an old book that teach how to read that language." He paused and looked at her, "Why, did you want to learn that language?"Minerva pursed her l
"Do you perhaps understand this language?" Minerva asked. Marcus raised his head to look at her."Kind of. I was still studying that language but I don't have enough time. There were words and phrases that didn't make sense for me so I decided to take that books when I return home." He answered, "But if you wanted that book, you could borrow that before me.""I see." She muttered as she caressed the book."This language was rare. How did you learn about this?""Oh, that." Marcus knitted his brows as if he was recalling, "He had books that had the same language as that on his private library. I was curious about the book hence I asked him to teach me how to read that language. Although father didn't personally teach me how, he instead gave me an old book that teach how to read that language." He paused and looked at her, "Why, did you want to learn that language?"Minerva pursed her l
"Where did you get these books?" Minerva asked Marcus who was crouching down on the floor. Piles of books surrounded him as he reclined his back on the couch. There was a throw pillow on his lap while above it was an opened book.She didn't want to disturb Marcus. Minerva wanted to quietly sit in front of him as he looked too immerse on what he was reading. But as soon as she saw the title of the books that was piled up, words subconsciously blurted out on her mouth. And before she could react, she had already questioned him."Oh?" Marcus raised his head and looked at her, "Which of these?""Those at the back." She answered as she pointed at the four piled up thick books who obviously looked worn out."Oh. I found that inside the box at the library's storage room. It was interesting hence I took it." Marcus nonchalantly answered. As he looked at Minerva who had a complicated look at the old books, he
"Dad, I heard that the faculty wanted to talk to you." Minerva said in a small voice once she managed to connect the communication device to her father.Although he admonished her earlier and they already made up, Minerva still spoke carefully at her father in case that his mood hadn't dampen yet."I see. I'd talk to them later." Her father answered which made Minerva hummed. She didn't know what to say next and it seemed that her father had felt her discomfort as he sighed."I'll just finish my things first and I'd head there. Take care, okay?""Yes, dad. You too."Minerva watched as the light of the stone began to wane until it appeared to be a common rock. She placed the stone on the table and sighed."Chill out. Nothing would happen to your father. The faculty were obviously just followed the protocols as Master had breached it. At most, he would need to compens
Minerva was looking at the window on her bedroom. She sat on the chair and leaned her body to the desk. Her right cheek rested on her right palm as she gazed outside. However, although she looked like busy admiring the chipping birds on the tree and the clear blue sky, she was actually immersed on her thought.Her father had already left after he talked to Claire and the board of directors. Although Minerva wanted to follow, her father had forbid her to do so. He also said that she didn't need to meet the board of directors when it wasn't necessary. And if they insisted, her father would make sure that they'd understand what "no" meant.Minerva couldn't help but let out a sigh. Her father didn't reprimand her for strolling around the academy. But since Zinnia hadn't returned yet and Marcus was nowhere to be found, she decided to stay here for the meantime."Minnie?" She heard Zinnia said after three consective knocks.
Santi just got home after he talked privately with Sora. With that, he found out thoroughly what actually happened on the day that Minerva and Zinnia was attacked.He couldn't help but purse his lips. He had eyed this organization for years yet he couldn't find anything. Adira had already helped yet the results were the same. Even Winter, the Pope of the Church of Larin, secretly sent out information about this unknown organization yet they couldn't find anything at all. Worse, Sora had been unable to track those three who attacked Santi, Kristina, and Minerva while they were on the Halen Empire ten years ago.Although they hadn't found anything despite their combined efforts, Santi had a little bit of an inkling on who might behind all of these. After all, nobody in this world was capable enough on hiding away from Sora's radar unless it wasthem.If it truly wasthem just like what Santi a
Out for Santi's courtesy, Marcus excused himself so Minerva and Santi could have a time to talk. Although the tension increased as soon as Marcus left, Minerva chose to remain silent and let her father vent out. After all, it was her fault that she didn't say a word about the incident."Minerva Chrysalis, didn't I tell you to report to me immediately if something had happened to you? We talked last night before you went to sleep, right? I asked you if something happened but you just told me that you and Zinnia went outside to stroll. Nothing more. And yet just this morning, Claire had talked to me about the attempted assassination that happened yesterday? When you and Zinnia went outside?"Minerva bit the bottom of her lips and lowered her head. She knew that her father would certainly be mad about her hiding this for him. However, now that she had faced his anger, she couldn't help but feel regret on her decision."Wh
The breakfast was over and Serena, Parker, and Sancho went home. Although Serena and Parker were sent together in a mission with Vernon and Hansel, it was also the same case for Sancho. He was sent into an A rank mission. Therefore, what was left was Minerva, Zinnia, and Marcus."Lady Zinnia, a student sent a message saying that the young lady was summoned by Professor Claire." A maid said after she knocked three times on the dining room."Ah? Okay." Zinnia stood up and looked at Minerva."I'll be back. If you want, you could go with Marcus.""It's fine. I'll just wait for you here." Minerva said with a smile. Then, Zinnia left leaving Minerva and Marcus."So…" Marcus began, "Uncle Santi didn't permit you to go outside the Larin Continent?""Huh?" Minerva took a bite from the cake before she answered, "I thought you already knew?""I had a h