Chapter 10 — Palace and Dreams

The Kingdom of Londeve, previously hailed as the 'Land of Flowing Life,' is the nation that worships the 'God of Birth and Baptismal' since the ancient times. Its topography before the destructive events from a century ago was truly magnificent and a marvelous sight to behold. From above, it appears to be an archipelago on a shallow sea where the minor islands encircling the city capitol are connected by stone bridges.  

The main city was located at the largest island, looking like a huge fountain where the clear blue sky and water meets. However, today, evidence of its former glory are just the barely preserved paintings handcrafted by those who had the opportunity to witness its divine beauty.

But neither life nor time stays still. Holding the blessing of the lord of earth, one of the Witches was able to alter the geography of the land into a mountainous terrain surrounded by thick and tall trees at its foot. All to assert dominance and terror over the neighboring countries. 

At present, the complete recovery of the land seems to have successfully covered every sign of violence and misery brought about by the evildoers. Through the combined effort of the citizens — does not matter what one's social class is —the attempt to heal the land came to fruition. Human civilization once again stood proud and free, as seen with the lively structures they have built to shelter themselves and carry out their means to survive. 

"Woah. . so this is how it looks like up close. ." Tristan could not help but be amazed with the whole new world before him, protruding his upper body outside the carriage aperture to have a wider view of the city.

Zelda who sits opposite him snorted "It's your first time right? Hmp. And that idiot has never been here when I've resided here for half my life! What a loser. . ." she crossed her arms and curved her lips into a satisfied smirk. 

All along, Tristan knew the feud between them is ignited by none other than the girl herself. For reasons she never made known and Johann cannot decipher either, the elder brother feels no worry having someone casting shades on his sibling. But as they grow up still pointing knives on each other at Zelda's initiatives, maybe there really is something more to it than she shows off. 

Throwing off a cynical look on her, Tristan took a shot on making fun of the young girl. 

"You really despise my brother that much? Or could it be that you. . ." 

"W-What could it be if not for pure hatred? You really are brothers — airheads. . . hmp!" Zelda's flustered face was not something he expected to witness. All these time she has been posing as an attention seeking spoiled brat who loathes everyone who passes by her sight. 

Did he somehow pull 'the trigger'?

"We're arriving in a few minutes! Stay on your seats, my dear passengers!" The loudness of Percy's voice delivered his message clear despite the noisy clacking of the horse's heel and the sound of the crowd outside.

"Is that. .?" 

At that signal, Tristan excitedly averted his gaze outside again. His eyes and mouth widen in awe. After all, they have reached the closest district to the palace. Luxurious establishments, structures and well-decorated road sides fed his eyes with wonder. 

The fancy looking carriages and stylishly dressed citizens made a concrete impression to him that it could be the zone for those aristocrats who run the factories back on their place. Right, those arrogant, enslaving people — he really has made it to their own classy world. 

A world that is indeed different from his hometown, where people cannot spend an hour for pure leisure. Otherwise, there would be no food to place on the table and fill their empty stomachs. A world where a child would not make it to teenage-hood if they do not wake up early to work their muscles out. And consequently, face a worthless end before even attempting to dream. 

This feeling of resentment did not linger for too long. Tristan himself understands the significance of hardwork and patience for these are just few of the many reasons he pushed this goal through. Speaking of which, his attention was immediately caught by the sight of a certain building he has always been intrigued by. 

"The Academia. Ugh, I miss those days sometimes," Zelda commented. 

"That reminds me, you attended classes there before right?" Eyes still on the road they passed through, Tristan asked.

"I graduated just last year, haven't you heard? Ugh, but that's simply for formality. You know — my genius is like. . . innate," the girl proudly said.

"Anyway, Thea's determined to enter, ain't she? She'd see me at my workshop every afternoon and morning, practicing incantations and watching my experiments."

Truly, upon learning about Zelda's arrival, bringing with her a great achievement, Thea started to visit the young mage. Although she does not look like it, Thea luckily caught Zelda's favour and lets her do, ask, and learn everything she finds fascinating. 

"She told me. How did she do, by the way?" 

Hearing his sister's daily report on her apprenticeship progress, he never forbid her to carry on. Despite his and his younger brother's agreed impression of her, he trusts his sister would not even last staring at Zelda's daunting face if she really was intimidated by her. 

"She's fine. Not that bad." 

"Oh. And that's one reason I'm here," he honestly stated.

"For the 'recommendation', is it?" the girl dryly asked.

He nodded. 

The 'recommendation' document which is provided by a renowned mage or someone who holds a significant title locally is one of the necessary requirements one must present to formally enter the Academia, as promulgated by its founder. 

For the official students who made it there, it is no troublesome to obtain. Mainly because, another important demand of the private institution is the high tuition fee cost. To put it together, those who can afford that certain amount are obviously a member of a wealthy family. 

Another possibility is being a scholar, just like Zelda. In such case is where the recommendation letter is actually needed, but was generally implemented to promote uniformity. 

Those who were endorsed by a distinguished mage are invested upon due to their promising abilities. Consequently, they will have to spend years of service to give back to the country. 

In accordance to this, Zelda chose to enter the royal selection to make use of her education, but only for the mean time. Being young and all, she still finds it unfitting to work professionally and sees this opportunity to train more while being of utility to the country. 

"Ugh, you really took that old hag's words seriously. Just hope you won't end up regretting all these sooner."

When Thea started to see Zelda at her workshop just a year ago, she happened to meet the old mage. This encounter was not left unheard of by Tristan as his sister came rushing to him, saying the woman suggested she pursue the path of Mystic Arts. She also made a remark on Thea's excellent amount of mana, much to his surprise. 

Tristan then believes that fate must be leading him to one certain direction, in addition to that one reason he has not yet disclosed to anyone, including the girl herself. He had a proper talk with the old mage but was declined when he asked her to take his sister as a student. 

'Have faith in my words, young man. You two have different potentials but I know you'll both succeed in the end. Take the risk and it will surely reward you,' those were the words she spoke to him. 

"It's Thea's choice, and it's not like I'll go this far only because an old woman said my sister is exceptional," he teased. 

"You brothers really are skilled in playing things dirty, ain't yah. Hmp!"

Zelda's frustrated expression suddenly softens. "Lucky her though, that stinky old woman never praised anything I achieve. Neither my natural talent nor my adorable beauty. What's with her?"

"Maybe there really is nothing to praise—"

"Don't talk to me!"

***

"Your stubs, please?" 

The heaviness of the crowd was not expected by Tristan. The Selection is indeed a huge occasion for the country but participating here is no small thing to do. Later, those who have been chosen would have to risk their lives for the Kingdom and its people. There's no way these individuals are oblivious of that. 

Maybe they find this as a decent job to consider?

"This way, participants. Please follow the line."

It was a well organized event to note. There was a designated area to leave the carriages and other means of transportation to. Afterwards, they were directed to a booth where they were asked to submit the stub they were given by the Chief Officer their residence area. 

Later after their turn, they decided to meet back on their carriage for lunch. Unluckily, the two were forced to eat outside by Zelda who kicked them out for unknown reason. 

"Do you think the Queen Regent will ever make an appearance throughout the selection?" Tristan asked, digging into the food Johann made for him. 

"Why, you ask?"

"N-nothing, I was just curious. You've been here before, right? Have you seen her, by any chance?"

"Not yet. But you know, I heard she's divinely beautiful," Percy responded with sparking eyes.

"O-Oh. . ."

"But my mom warned me to refrain from looking at her directly or she'll lure me into her —"

"Stop that. We're still in her territory," Tristan interrupted. 

Although he is clearly not patronizing her as a ruler, Anne's great admiration of her slightly make him feel bad of speaking ill of her. Same goes with listening to other people's negative opinions toward the Witch, after all, she has done a lot to the country's benefit. 

"Whose territory? She may be the current ruler but—" 

"Alright, you see that guard over there? Tell him what you were saying just now," Tristan daringly suggested. 

"Hey hey, I was just trying to act cool, you see?" Percy defended then went back to munching his meal. 

'The Queen Regent, I have to at least tell her,' he said to himself, reminiscing that certain memory that almost had him leave all the hopes and dreams he have behind. 

Relaying this message to the Princess actually occured to him, but realizing the Witch might help him find the answers to the mysteries he had previously came across with, he decided to just swallow his pride and take the risk.