(Not Continued Again)
16. Rumours

It had been a week since Elthia woke up from her long slumber. In this recovery period, Elthia who was still forbidden to go to the academy tried to enjoy her time off.

"Why is he warning you like that?"

In the afternoon when Evander was home. They drank tea together. While reducing the stress of being cooped up for a week in the Antoinette family residence, without doing the slightest meaningful activity. Elthia tried to discuss the warning that Tristan had given her.

"Sister, why does he remind me like that?"

Considering what he talked about with Tristan, Elthia was able to conclude that Tristan was also one of the people who knew about the condition of 'his soul'. What the two foreign silver-haired figures said. Although not too obvious. Elthia was able to capture that the two of them were also involved in the great change of 'path' that existed at this time.

"I didn't know it. But clearly, he was too late to give that warning."

Giving a warning when the two of them were already involved with the red-eyed figure that became the object of the warning, it felt a little strange. Rather than a warning, it somehow becomes more of a threat indirectly, according to Evander.

"She's actually becoming a lot more suspicious, isn't she?" sahut Elthia, while cutting the cake provided in a small party they both.

"If only he had given a much more plausible reason, the warning would have been much more useful." Evander sighed slowly. The bright face of Elthia who looks so enjoyed her favorite cake, became the object of her attention. "But, yeah. There's nothing wrong with both of us taking action more carefully."

"Is it because of that 'curse?"

"No. Except for his shitty act."

Given how crazy Rio was when teaching the two of them. It doesn't hurt either, to take a little distance. Honestly speaking, the training Rio gave off was a bit overwhelming for Evander to follow. The slightly unusual way, entered in Evander's consideration to take a much more careful step.

"The training that sometimes is beyond belief, that we must consider."

"Ah... Rio is indeed a little exaggerated when it comes to training." Elthia could not deny that one reality. Rio was indeed creepy regarding their training. His attitude that sometimes looks so arrogant as if only he is the best, is also annoying to see.

"I didn't expect that kind of person to be the one who's the one who's the one"

"If you don't like my way. Shouldn't it be better for the two of you to stop?"

Rio's voice that suddenly joined in the conversation between the two of them, reflexively made Elthia and Evander freeze. Other than a fake sweet smile, there was no longer any expression they could afford to paint as a welcome upon Rio's unexpected arrival.

"During time don't meet, Rio." Elthia tried to make small talk. This diversionary action that he was trying to do, was able to do well without the slightest vibration in his tone. "Is your news okay?"

Although the gaze that Rio gave managed to make him feel afraid. Elthia certainly would not allow the fear to be seen clearly. As much as possible, Elthia tried to suppress the fear that was occupying her, and showed her the best smile she had.

"I'm perfectly fine."

The flat-pitched answer Rio gave, would not shake him. Distract him. Elthia greeted one other unexpected figure, who was also participating in this visit.

"Greetings to the light of the land of Yodea, Prince of Psyche."

Elthia and Evander bowed their heads respectfully. Simultaneously, they said a greeting to Psyche, an unexpected figure who came along with Rio.

"May safety and well-being always be with you."

"It's good to see you back, Evander, Elthia." Psyche smiled thinly. The spirit shown by Evander and Elthia, also transmitted to him. "I'm glad you're okay."

"I'm not happy you're here." Sahutan ketus Rio, managed to change the atmosphere around to become gloomy. Lucretia's twin look of disbelief, as well as Psyche's smile trying to hold back the vexation, were ignored by her.

"You shouldn't have come. This existence of yours is really just ruining the mood, Psyche."

What the hell are you doing?! I want it to feel like Elthia is screaming like that right in Rio's ear. This impolite action of his senior was already completely overdue!

"Mr Alterio, what you're saying is very disrespectful." Beware Astrella for what Rio said. The awkward atmosphere that filled their little table, felt very stifling.

"You are as high as any of your positions as a witch, however jug--"

"Leave him."

Astrella closed her mouth. The hand of Psyche, a sign that the prince did not want to dispute this any further, Astrella followed.

"Your words are still as sharp as ever, huh?"

As party organizers, Evander and Elthia chose to quietly pay attention. The debate of two of their guests is very striking, they can not join arbitrarily.

"I'm glad you still have spirit, Alterio."

I don't know what happened between the two men. Their hostility, which seemed to have become ingrained, made them both unwilling to succumb to each other so easily.

"Oh, of course. Thanks to your attention, I can be so excited like this." Rio replied, accompanied by his thin grin. His two eyes were red, as if incarnating like burning coals in the middle of a vast meadow.

"Thank you so much for caring, Prince."

Rio red netra, and Psyche gold netra. Even if their expressions look calm. It was meaningless, the flash of hostility was not in both of their eyes.

Substantial. They're these...

Sighs. Elthia who was caught in the middle of the atmosphere of unclear competition, honestly began to feel uncomfortable. Both guests who fought at this inappropriate time, really managed to ruin his good mood.

"Because Elenio has joined us. Let's start the party."  Utilizing the arrival of Elenio who had previously left because there was some business to do, Elthia tried to divert attention, while eliminating the gloomy atmosphere around them all by changing the topic of conversation.

"Help huh? Astrella, Astra."

Glancing at Astrella and Astra who had been standing behind the two of them, Elthia ordered the two familiars to prepare tea and cake to accompany this impromptu party.

"Have I missed anything?"

Elenio, as the host who casually handed his two guests over to Evander, and Elthia, felt uneasy about the piercing gazes of the twins. That look seemed to say, "Basic sucks!!" which was directed at him. I don't know why it's so hard on him.

Realize that blaming Elenio won't change anything. Elthia and Evander could only sigh tiredly. The two guests who were secretly still throwing hostile gazes at each other, tried to ignore them, and as much as possible was considered like the wind.

"Please sit down."

Evander allowed Elenio to occupy the empty seat on his left. Elthia, who was sitting to Evander's right, put on a smile of her formality. The expression of confusion that Elenio had chalked up, somehow made him feel concerned. So, rather than Elenio bewildered himself, as well as not knowing what to do. In particular, Elthia was kind enough to find a topic that, she was sure they were all capable of following.

"I heard, there's been something interesting going on at the academy lately."

In order to add curiosity to her tea-drinking friend, Elthia deliberately hung up her words. The curious expression he had obtained was very pleasant to look at.

"There are many ancient writings. And, for anyone who manages to crack it. Then, he'll get permission to cross the mirror world."

Ancient writings. Elthia who really likes something related to writing, as well as books, certainly feels enthusiastic. Although the reward obtained when successfully translating ancient languages sounds impossible. Elthia was still interested in finding the complicated writing, then translating it.

...°·°·°·°·°·°...

Elthia looked carefully at all the people who were there. Their serious face while discussing looked much more comfortable to look at than the previous one.

"If what you're talking about is that complicated lettering, I've already found one."

Sahutan Rio in the middle of the conversation managed to change the atmosphere. Not only Elthia, Elenio who previously seemed less interested, also took notice.

"Where did you find him?"

Pysche as the prince of the land of Yodea, as well as a figure who knows well every ancient writing, was curious about the discovery that Rio said. Ancient writing is hard to find. Besides being able to cause a catastrophe, the ancient language that was misused can also cause madness for its users.

"After the curtain we purified." Rio glanced at Elthia, the twinkle full of interest from those two different colored neutrals, it was predictable. "Just after Elthia was found unconscious."

Rio's flat-pitched answer, again managed to change the atmosphere around. Not enough to give a surprise, Rio was also able to direct the attention that was previously fixed on him, becoming focused on Elthia.

"Eh?"

"Not just once. Of the three curtains that we have consecrated together. The curtain that was also exposed to magic you two must have ancient inscriptions behind it."

The statement Rio gave was shocking. As if having a relationship, the statement became even more convincing when Rio showed some of the ancient writings he had translated to all of them.

"Do you know, since when did the rumor sound?" Rio gave his piercing glare to Elthia. "It all spread right after you met the two mysterious men rashly."

"That's right. And strangely enough, who spread the rumor is not known exactly who it is." Evander agreed to what Rio said. As Elthia's twin sister, Evander recently witnessed her sister taking rash action. Elthia's hasty steps, which seemed to be being pursued by something, were suspicious to her.

"I'm afraid this rumor is a trap."

"Do you guys think that guy deliberately wanted to trap Elthia?" Psyche, who already knew the conditions that befell Elthia of Alta, shared her comments.

"Rather than trapping, I think it's more about wanting to show you something."

The truth of this surprising Elenio managed to silence all of them. Elenio, who used to look like a fool, now looks like an extraordinary person. His behavior is very calm, accompanied by a thin and charming smile. Making his figure look inversely proportional to his usual self.

"That guy also has silver hair, right?"

Elthia. "Yes. They're silver-haired too."

"What if the ancient writing was a clue they gave?" Elenio put down his tea cup elegantly. The two netra were like her moon, glittering amidst the fading rays of twilight.

"I think the key to everything's answer lies there."

Psyche smile. Elenio's opinion was also approved by him. "I think so too."

As a person who cannot interfere directly with the affairs of humans. Tristan as well as the other two people, certainly can't just say it. As an alternative, spreading rumors is a good medium to tell something that cannot be said. By exploiting rumors, the place where information is most quickly spread. They can convey the message impliedly, without any one person can interfere with the claim.

Also pretty.

Psyche admitted, the persistence of Tristan is quite amazing. Plus Leander's interference. The plan that the two men had assembled, everything became much more perfect. They both managed to create an unexpected intersection.

It's delightful.

Psyche looked at Rio. The scowling face that Rio gave when their two eyes accidentally looked at, was laughed at by him.

"This is why, it'd be better if you didn't exist." Rio snorted in annoyance. Psyche's small laugh that seemed mocking, very annoying.

"I don't like that shitty smile of yours."

Ignoring Rio's hiss beside her, Psyche focused her attention on Elthia. "Can you read that ancient translation, Elthia?" serving Rio will not produce any results for him. So, rather than getting Rio's sharp innuendo any further. Psyche prefers to join in solving puzzles that are deliberately given to them.

"Who knows, that translation is indeed one of the keys we need."

Psyche's awkward smile was closely watched by Elthia. "All right." Since the smile was quite hard to read, Elthia tried to ignore it. What was in front of him now, was clearly much more important than anything else to him.

"*To the legend who started it all."

When the dawn began to appear, the falling petals began to fly."

A whispering wind blew, swallowing all the hidden grey sides. Make the darkness a beauty that is now dazzling*."

Elthia read out those three ancient writings that Rio had translated. That implied message, it was quite confusing. Without a clear picture, Elthia had little trouble finding her bright spot.

It seemed, this would be much more time consuming than he expected. If indeed this is a clue that can bring prosperity. That meant, they had to find other ancient writings, in order to get a clearer answer.