"What's with the frown?"
Minerva glanced in the direction of the voice and saw Zinnia, who was taking a walk with Serena. They both had their cute umbrellas that matched their outfits, which corresponded to the color of their jeweled eyes.
"It's nothing. Just Marcus being annoying again." She said.
Serena scoffed, "Since when did Marcus not had been annoying? He truly lived up his name as Uncle Lorenzo's son."
"Anyway, let's not talk about him anymore. Right, can I ask the two of you? How was the life at the academy?"
"Hmm. Minnie it'd be a bit long talk so how about we'd sit first?" Zinnia suggested. Minerva nodded her head.
The three of them walked into the other side of the garden until they arrived at the pond. They turned into the left as they headed towards the pavilion that stood at the leftmost with white tulle curtains surrounded the
A loud gasp was heard in the room when Quetura arrived, together with the former Holy Maiden, Her Highness Princess Kristina. Everyone didn't expect that the two of them would appear and celebrate Minerva's fifteenth birthday.Five years ago, the Church of Larin declared Quetura Rileigh Ilwyd, the daughter of the Gray Saint Archmage Allanis Brianna Ilwyd, as the new Church of Larin's Holy Maiden. Many had speculated that the next Holy Maiden would be Minerva. But who would've thought that it'd be Quetura instead?Despite the whispers and murmurs around, the fact that Quetura was hailed and chosen by the Goddess of Larin to be the next Holy Maiden could not be ignored. Furthermore, it gave affirmation that anyone could be chosen as the next Holy Maiden. Whether they were a mage or not, a noble or not, or a jeweled eye wielder or not.When Quetura was hailed as t
The day passed by, and Minerva celebrated her birthday a little differently than before, as this was the first time that her mother would celebrate her birthday. She could not describe how happy she was as she celebrated her fifteenth birthday with the important people around her."Were you happy?" Kristina asked Minerva as she combed her hair.Minerva nodded her head vehemently as her face shone with a smile. "Yes, mom! After all, this was the first time that you celebrated my birthday with me."Kristina smiled and continued to comb her hair. "Alright, then you should go and rest first. We'll just talk tomorrow, okay? I wanted to hear your stories. ""Yes, mom." Minerva beamed."Good night, baby." She said and planted a kiss on her hair."Good night to you, too, mom."Kristina smiled and went outside her room. As soon as she left, the smile
"Mom, I'm sorry I ruined our breakfast." Minerva apologized. Kristina smiled at her and cupped her face."Silly girl. Why were you apologizing for something you had no control over? It wasn't your fault that your father reacted that way." She said it gently and rubbed Minerva's cheek with her thumb."Hmp. Your father dared to snap at you. Don't worry; once he returned, I'd certainly teach him a lesson. How dare he scold you like that? I'd scold him, too! Let's see who was tougher here!"Minerva couldn't help but burst into laughter. The disappointment and sadness that she had experienced were still there. But she decided to not mull over it any longer. She had to accept that her father wouldn't agree to anything that she requested of him.She got used to having anything and whatever she requested, and his unexpected rejection had hurt her. But now, she'd accepted
A person had a different future ahead of them. It was only a matter of the choices that they made on which of the futures they had to end up with. Sora could see the potential futures of different people. However, it did not apply to everyone. There were beings that he was unable to see the future of. Other than the Great Sovereign, there was only one person in the world that could see the future of everybody–even the beings that Sora was restricted to. He was known as Malachi.And this very Malachi was the one that Minerva had to find if she wanted to know the cure for her mother.Whichever choices Minerva made, it all came down to her meeting Malachi. However, the problem that she had to face more difficult obstacle if Santi interfered and refused to follow the much easier path for her.Sora didn't have any ill will against Minerva. He watched her grow up from a
The Bexerth Academy was located at the Southwest of the Larin Continent. On the territory where the Bexerth Academy stood up wasn't governed by any kingdoms or empire. It was an independent institution that only focused on molding new talents regardless of social class. Even if the student was a beggar, as long as they fit on the criteria of the Bexerth Academy, they were allowed to study. After all, the Bexerth Academy only looked for the best among the best talents.But although this was the rules of the academy, the students still couldn't help themselves but fawn over those who had high social ranks. Especially, those who were commoners who depended on the scholarship that the academy had provided for them. After all, the possible benefits that they could gain were enormous if they had sucked up on the right person."I heard that there were
"It seemed that you had to fall in line." Sora said as he looked at the crowd of people in front of them."Yeah, I know," Minerva nodded her head. As soon as she got closer, she looked around the line."Now, where should I line?" She made a muttered remark.Thankfully, there was a man who seemed in his early twenties who stepped up and assisted her."Your Highness, you could fall in line wherever you want." He carefully said. Minerva subtly observed the young man who looked nervous. His clothes were the same as those of the youths who hung out with the proctors in front. She guessed that they were the students that were funded by the academy."I see. Thank you. " Minerva smiled at the young man, which made him startled. He looked like he was in a daze before his face started to heat up."A-ah, um... Y-you're welcome, Y-Your Highness... " He muttered
"Hey.""Ah!"Minerva immediately covered her mouth. She looked behind her and saw Nathan, who had a funny look on his face."You surprised me!" She said as she held her chest. Nathan just arched his brow and looked at the ongoing commotion."Don't follow Uncle Lorenzo's footsteps." He suddenly said that made her heart jump."What were you talking about?" She asked, as she feigned ignorance. But deep inside, she felt guilty."Sure." He grunted. Obviously, he didn't believe her at all.Nathan looked at Minerva from head to toe before she asked, "Nathan, where were you going?" His attire wasn't the academy's uniform, but he had the brooch of the academy's insignia on his navy blue cape."Ah, we were about to go to a mission.""Mission? But the academic term hadn't started yet." Why were they on the mission now?"Yeah, but so
"Finally, I'm done." Minerva muttered as she was done checking her paper if she had not answered any. It's a good thing she'd answered everything.What Zinnia said was correct. The exam was more like a review of what she had learned from her tutors. It was a good thing that what she had learned appeared in the exam. Hence, she was a bit confident.Aside from that, Minerva also learned from Zinnia that the jeweled eye wielders were exempted from checking their mana due to it being different from the rest. So since she was done, she could leave now. What she had to do was wait for the letter to see if she was accepted or not.Minerva went outside the room, and there she found the male student who had led her here earlier."I'd pass this on to you, right?""Ah, yes, Your Highness."She passed the paper to him before she headed out.'Where were y
"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