"That child, what should I do with him. . .and Anne too. Tch. Foolish children."
Serina's tired eyes slowly blinked. She just made it back to the her office and all the lights are already off, triggering the drowsiness in her.
At the midst of silence, the sharp squeaking sound which came from the door a few feet away from her kicked her consciousness awake. From the narrow slit between the door and the wall, a circular light source glimmers, showing her the face of the intruder who just came by.
She lifted her head and fixed her sitting posture. And with the snap of her fingers, all the torches, lanterns and candles lit up to fill the room with light.
"Oh, hello there, 'Miss Anneliese Bach'. May I ask what is it that brought you here this late?" She greeted, emphasizing the name she used to enter the Selection. It was none other than the Princess herself, bent-backed and tiptoed.
"Aunt~ it's me," embarrassed, she stood and immediately e
In a room on the other side of the hotel. . .Anne and a mysterious looking girl rose to awakening at the loud screaming that almost broke their ears."I refuse to believe this, how come fate allowed such a dreadful thing to occur to me? Of all people, why do I have to spend my precious days and nights in a cramped room with you!?"A truly adorable girl who resembles that of a doll yelled angrily. Out of extreme annoyance, she roughly sweeps the loose strands of hair that obstructs her vision away from her face. Her messy pink hair now looks a lot like a thick cottoncandy with hanging accessories.It turns out the girl, named Pearl, was the first one to enter the room last night. Just half an hour after slamming her exhausted body down the bed, she instantly fell into a deep slumber. In turn, she did not get the chance to meet her roommates until now.Zelda, who just yawned chose to make a stand. "How unfortunate, Miss Pearl, maybe you
The loud sound of crashing of wood and breaking of porcelain vase echoed throughout the wide room. This was followed by an ear-splitting noise made by a human roar mixed with frustration and rage."Damn you, Laudermann!" Lawrence slammed himself into the couch and threw punches in the air like a child going frenzy due to an extremely bad mood.In the middle of his outburst, a woman seated adjacent to him smiled and took a sip of her tea before placing it back to the glass table.She is a woman on her early twenties. Her dark blue hair is asymmetrically cut above her shoulders with the left side being longer than the other. She wears a pair of black-framed eyeglasses with a hanging white gem on the left side.The way she is dressed will surely get anyone's head turn — dark blue halter top tucked in a dark, fitted night skirt with the slit on her right leg reaching half of her thigh."Is something the matter, Young Maste
The four endedup spending the early night together in a dining table. Sherfy's chosen venue was rather odd for an outsider like Tristan, but the elegant interior blessed his eyes well enough to make up for the strangeness that bothers him. No one talked along the way and let Sherfy lead their paths. When they took a halt, Tristan was skeptical at first, for they were brought into a high class boutique. He heard Sherfy ask for a woman named 'Meredith' but it turns out the woman is not present at the moment. Still, they were escorted into an underground chamber, which looks much like a special lounge. The timid-looking Kiefer sat beside his 'professor', occasionally throwing curious glances on Tristan and pulls back once their eyes meet. Meanwhile, Anne and Tristan sat next to each other. Observing Sherfy on the other hand is a little convenient for Tristan. She does everything with grace and only
Twelve years ago. . .Tristan gained half of his consciousness with a heavy head. His small and frail body felt burdened and unable to make a quick or huge movement. He could not even lift his upper body up, but as he tries to, his mind took a huge leap from oblivion instead.Then he was reminded of the last events he had to witness before he succumbed into total darkness.The screams of agony echoed on his mind, he covered his ears as they felt so near and fresh to him. He rolled his body right and left, clenching the sides of his head. His eyes twitched as burning tears flow from them.He could not scream, his mouth is wide open but it did not let his voice out.This time, images of his mother's frightened and agitated face flashed through his eyes like a quick slideshow. She was telling him something he could not discern because he was too scared to even process them.The only thing he is sure of, the village
Tristan's morning has never been this unproductive. His body clock did remind him of the his naturally set time to rise up and greet the early sunshine, but that did not help at all.Although he has temporarily left his regular chores to travel at the Capitol, he still has a lot to do in replacement to those. Not to mention the physical exhaustion he used to suffer from back at his hometown, is now overweighed by the mental drain those surprising discoveries have caused him from day one.At the top of those, Serina's sudden offer made him restless for the entire night. It is no little favour to note, whether he rejects or accepts it will surely change the way he lives.After all, he cannot just walk away and pretend as if nothing happened when he himself is already involved in the mysteries she is digging into.He needs her protection more than anything else. But he cannot blame her for being dragged into these, it just happened th
Getting a week long break from his constant visit to this place since his recuperation, Tristan felt like something is not the same for his return. He could not totally embrace the cool yet comforting ambiance of the forest for a reason unknown to him either.Brushing the strange feeling off, his eyes roamed the entire place, pivoting his feet in a complete circular degree."Is this the same trick you did to me back then?" he asked, conveying his skeptical outlook on Serina's action.The lady just stood still, amusing herself with the glowing fireflies that chose to stick around her, neglecting Tristan's presence."No. I only messed your head up and manipulated it to send signals of false pain why you're seeing illusions. Right now, we have changed location for real," said she.Tristan's face exhibited a sour emotion upon hearing her casual response, remembering the terrible thing she did to him a week ago.
These monsters may not be as fierce as those bloodthirsty chimeras, but their agility makes up for their poor intelligence and lack of aggressiveness. Their appearance is entirely new to his eyes, they do not resemble any animal or any living creature he had seen before. Although some of their features match that of a dragon, they look more spooky and disturbing to stare at.Three pair of long legs allow them to leap up high and easily escape his arrows by sprinting at a lightning's speed. An elongated body that goes straight to a tail gives them the flexibility to smoothly dodge an assault or obstacles on their ways. The shape of their heads is identical to a wyvern's, and as Serina mentioned earlier, the number of huge eyes vary from one another, they also have horns at the top of their heads.Capable of jumping up to two meters, Tristan finds it rather difficult to catch up to them at first.He was not able to descry Serina's activity nor catch a
As administered by the Council and Academia's officials, the annual Selection is held as a week-long event. Five pairs were to face against each other in a tournament, that makes ten participants for a day in a span of four days. After the half gets eliminated, that leaves twenty of them to proceed to the next round.Another two days will be given for them to prepare for the next match. Again, five pairs a day for two days. Once the ten winners have secured the spots, two will be chosen among those who have lost their matches and will be given the chance to complete the 'twelve'.Since the Selection started at Monday, the results will be out on the next Monday.The crowd roared in awe as the umpire declared the conclusion of the battle to Anne's triumph. She reached her hand out for a handshake which her opponent received with sincerity. Lucky for her, the girl most likely resides on a place further from the Capitol. She did not recognize the P
At a height comparable to that of the night's depth, Tristan's terror and distress reigns over his long history of being in a state of tranquility of choice. He has seen and became enslaved by the Lady's compelling power and dominance beforehand, yet the extremity of his fright this time is immeasureable - rather, boundless. It was all since that door, a few feet away from his face, opened for the first time since his forced arrival. Followed that was the notice - more of a forewarning - was spoken to him by someone he recognized as a staff of the Academia, who said; "Mister Miramond, is it? I have received a message from one of our professors, saying 'the lady is coming for you, consider yourself lucky, and this - an advanced expression of my condolences,' that is all." As heavily hinted by Sherfy's indirect caution, the poor soul immediately decoded the Lady's sentiment. 'She's going to kil
With the consent of the Academia's mass-entitled 'Greatest Professor', Tristan was permitted to attend his siblings for the night. Shame to admit, he was quite disappointed that Thea was quick to fall into deep slumber just an hour after his arrival.On the positive side, he was glad she was showing a good sign of adjustment to her new environment.But looking at his brother, he sure had it tough than enjoyable."You seem worn out, Johann. Anything wrong?" Tristan asked, expressing his deep concern towards the miserable and visibly restless state of his younger brother.Johann's first day at the Academia surely did not proceed to his liking. Being completely unfamiliar of mystic arts in general, everything that was laid in front of him contributed nothing but confusion in his mind.Staring blankly at nowhere just a few seconds ago, Tristan's words kicked him off his pensive disposition."Everything is wrong! Arg
Thea, who has always been behaving as a timid and reserved child, seem to have found the place to bring about the joyful spirit in her. Hopping her way down the streets, the lovely girl has her eyes feasting on the million colours before her. Everything around charms her, as if they glow and shine just for her to see. After a countless store to store halt, the girl took an immediate turn into a flower shop, with her brothers behind her, simply following her lead. Her eyes were gleaming, mouth shaped like a circle, lacking the effort to suppress her awe. At first, she was hesitant to touch a petal she finds fascinating. But as her eyes meet the shopkeepers, earning a nod, her initial energy rose even more. "Brother! Would the Queen Regent like this?" Tristan turned and kneeled to examine the pot of white flowers with a yellow center she embraces in her little arms. "Daisies? Hmm. . I often see
The late morning breeze caressed Tristan's skin with a slight touch of heat as he stroll down the garden's perimeter with Percy. Unlike the other fellow, the conclusion of his forenoon duties did not leave a mark of exhaustion in his face, well at least not today. He spent the night making up for the weeks he was away from his siblings, and slept the night together as they used to. Considering the depth of hell he had to go through for the past few weeks, anyone could tell he is at his best shape now. At the top of that, his mind seem to be at peace. He sighed upon inhaling a good amount of fresh and cold air. "Heard Thea and Johann's already at the Academia. Congratulations, dude, your siblings' are getting a step ahead of us now," Percy walked ahead of him, conveying his sincere words of felicitation. "All thanks to her," Tristan replied with a smile.
The past two days have been real tough for the seemingly hopeless fellow, Kiefer. Having himself defeated by the last minute of his match with the lady named Merloise, he could not feel less encouraged by the news of his possible reconsideration.However, the waiting period deprived him of his opportunity to rest at the midst of the Academia's holiday.With dark circles under his eyes and a ridiculously long face, he stared blankly on the bulletin board two meters away from the bench he is seated on. Much to his knowledge, the news on the Selection's final result must be posted on this notice wall.But the staffs sure are taking too long.This year marks his third and final take on the Selection as a participant, as mandated by the Council. Beyond this, he would have to give his hopes up and search for other professional career to proceed to.The uncertainty and the image of his dearest wo
"I am not one of them. . my Master was. It was a truth no one at present knows about.""Huh!?""The Witches all came to an agreement that no one shall meddle with the others' businesses. So she had to work behind the shadows and was able to steal their blessings at the cost of her life for breaking the pact. Then, all those. . were passed on to me."Tristan's chest started to get heavy, and his knees were at the verge of folding. It was not his exhaustion that is draining his strength this time. This obnoxious feeling he has towards her, that he thought had long since faded, is coming back to him.'My aunt? She's gentle and kind, believe me. There's nothing to be scared about!' he recalled Anne's voice out of the blue."To put it simply, I . . am the living vessel of the four Witches' blessings combined."***Love, Charity, Courage, Humility, Pledge,
Tristan was running aimlessly until a familiar golden dragonfly came into his face and guided his way. Heavily panting as he took a halt, he was at utter shock at the raging situation he was brought to witness.They were jumping off posts and roofs, they were so fast that he could only see their afterimages.From his place, he noticed that Serina does not hold any weapon nor wield a little amount of mana to counter his attacks and throw offenses. She only dodges them then move from place to place.Once she landed a meter near Tristan, and when her diagonal fall went against the wind, he caught of glimpse of her bare feet.Her stockings suffered some minor tatters, but the bottom of her feet were already naked, revealing the cuts and scratches it caught over the place.The unknown man is obviously giving his all, while Serina is only playing with along his aggressiveness. Even so, anyone could tell by his movement that
Earlier that day. . .Vacant times do not come often for the monarch custodian, not that she has much leisure activity to do though. Each day is a day for work, but surprisingly, she woke up with a clean desk and a note, inscribed:'I will have to attend a faculty meeting and stay late for Kiefer's training. Here is the order slip for the clothing you have ordered, Teacher. Please take this opportunity to stroll around the Capitol — for a change of pace.'The pleasant tinkling sound of chimes welcomed Serina as the boutique staff pulled the door for her. She was directed into a coffee table by the enormous windows and was greeted by a familiar face."Oh, Miss Meredith, it's a rare opportunity to see you around here. How's business going?"The middle-aged woman carries a furry feline on her arms, brushing its hair with her painted nails.Anyone could tell she is without a doubt, an aristocrat. Her blonde hair is neatly
"The woman he talks about, could be one of the other Three . . or could it be her—""Ah, here we go again. Wake up Serina, she's long gone. You witnessed everything yourself."Arms crossed, stone-faced, Serina rolled her eyes at Felix's response. As someone who dislikes listening to nonsensical sentiments, it vexes her that she is the one being called out as irrational now.The tones of their voices have risen above their levels of tolerance, and their tempers seem to be heating up as well."I am just stating a possibility, Felix. We of all creatures should understand how mysterious this world is.""And I am merely stating a fact, darling. Please don't be mad at me. I am just. . worried. Believing such nonsense won't bring you anything good, you're just wasting your precious time, I am telling you."Having observed the bad turning of their conversation, Felix did not