(Not Continued Again)
8. Academy of Secilia

Elthia came out of the horse-drawn carriage. After a long trip that took five days on the way, as well as two days of staying at the Elenio family residence to rest. Finally Elthia could see firsthand the Secilia academy, a place where talented children and famous family children were located.

The beautiful spacious courtyard neatly arranged in the Secilia academy was the first sight Elthia saw as soon as the horse carriage door opened. The number of silver trees growing on the side of the main road proves how much magical power the land of Yodea has. Since Elthia entered the academy a little later than the intended registration time, Elthia also missed the sight of silver leaves falling in the new school year.

"Are you nervous?"

Elthia welcomed her uncle's hand. Because Mr. Darien is Yodea, Elenio's father will be the guardian of Evander and Elthia during his time at the academy.

"Lumayan."

After learning that his nephew could use magic unexpectedly. Mr. Darien welcomes Elthia and Evander to his residence. Though the behavior of Mr. Darien has been very excited daily. As soon as Elthia and Evander said that they were also under contract with the familiar, Mr. Darien became twice as excited. The enthusiasm shown by her uncle certainly made Elthia surprised. However, as Elthia was used to handling Elenio who also had an eleven-twelfth nature with her father, Elthia was able to master her shock quickly as well as adjust herself.

"Uncle. Are each major differentiated based on the color of their tie and ribbon?"

From this moment Elthia noticed the students and students who came. The color of the ribbon or tie worn by the students is varied. Starting from red, black, blue, to silver. Elthia and Evander are wearing black. While Elenio who also registered himself wearing a red tie.

"Are you divided by grade level?"

"The color is differentiated based on the majors selected when applying."

Elthia nodded in understanding. It feels good to have a ribbon with the color of pride of children in this Yodea country.

"Elthia~ Can you get down quickly? Me and Evander want to get out now, too."

Elenio's subtle rebuke awakens Elthia from her daydreams. Without Elthia noticing, because she was too absorbed in her thoughts, Elthia had only welcomed a helping hand from her uncle, without moving her foot from where she was standing.

"I'm sorry." A thin pink color adorns Elthia's cheeks. The smile of understanding given by Mr. Darien further aggravated the red hue on his face.

"It's only natural that you feel so happy now."

What Lord Darien said, was acknowledged by Elthia. Whoever is the chosen child who can have magic like himself, will certainly feel happy because he is able to set foot in the place where the famous magicians of the continent Lucinda came from. Despite the threat of future death in the story. For now, Elthia wanted to enjoy every moment of her precious. Worrying about something excessive about the threat because it has magic power is necessary. However, Elthia did not want it to disturb her concentration. There is no harm if Elthia let go of the fleeting misgivings of the threat. Because what is happening now, will not necessarily be repeated in the future.

Even if only for a moment. At least I want to have fun.

Elthia developed a faint smile on her lips. With a carefree step, Elthia got off the carriage.

Shuts...

Eh?

The stinging coldness when Elthia had already stepped on the academy grounds made Elthia speechless. Although Elthia had just had magic, for some reason Elthia could sense that what she had just felt was not a good thing but something strange.

Bad feeling.

Elthia watched Astrella who was in her arms. His familiar who was in the form of his cat was also moving restlessly in his arms. Both their eyes were fixed. For a moment, Elthia and Astrella exchanged opinions through gazes.

"We'll just look at it first." The Whisper of Elthia to Astrella. Making a problem on the first day is not included in the list he made. In addition, Elthia was still not too sure about what she had just felt.

"Elthia's? Is something bothering you?"

The anxiety that Mr. Darien was showing, he watched closely. Elthia did not in the least find a strange gurgle from her uncle. So, could Elthia assume that this uncle did not feel anything threatening him?

"Nothing, uncle. It's just, I'm a little surprised."

Elthia had no intention of telling what she had just felt to Lord Darien. Without any real evidence and clarity. For a while, Elthia wanted to keep this curiosity alone.

"If you're not feeling well, it'd be best if you didn't force yourself today."

Elthia shook her head. The offer given by his uncle was rejected. "I'm fine, uncle. So, we can just keep this going." As much as possible, Elthia reassured Mr. Darien. How hard she looked even at the gaze her uncle gave her, Elthia did not waver. The confidence that emanated from his two beautiful neutrals, was not able to be refuted by Mr. Darien. So, because Mr. Darien was not the least able to harass him, Elthia's uncle only had the choice to grant the request of the nephew.

"alright. But remember! Don't push yourself too much!"

The message Sebastian gave before returning to his residence was ringed in the head of Lord Darien. Exactly what his eldest nephew said. His little sister is very strong-willed. The confidence he held was not in the least able to be shaken, let alone destroyed.

"Are you ready too?"

Knowing that Elthia would not change her will, Lord Darien turned her attention to the two boys who had just stepped down from the horse-drawn carriage. Seeing his only son and cousin standing side by side with his accursion, reminded lord Darien of the past. It feels quite nostalgic to see this beautiful moment.

They're already big.

Time without feeling so fast passes. Every day full of stored memories, will always be remembered in his heart. Especially, today's special. Whether it's Mr. Darien, the two Lucretia twins, or Elenio. They all make the most of the moments as possible. Enjoying what is plastered in front of the eyes should be. Looking at others with all their advantages is endless. So, wouldn't it be better if they had fun over the time?

No one knows what will happen in the future. Whether it's Elthia, Rio, or the mysterious figure of Leander the perpetrator of this chaos occurred.

What kind of fate awaits the main character. No one knows it. Even for the male figure who was paying attention to what was happening inside his mirror.

...°·°·°·°·°·°...

The matter regarding the registration of the three of them. Everything has been well taken care of by Mr. Darien. So, without having to wait too long, Elthia, Evander, and Elenio were already able to enter their respective classes.

"See you at recess, yeah."

Different building learning makes the three of them have to separate from each other. Especially for Elenio who had to be alone, separated on the first day was very sad.

"If only we were classmates, I would-"

"You'll see us again later. So, go! Don't overdo it like you're just going to the battlefield."

Elenio grunting. This cynical answer from Evander exacerbated his sense of loss. Not his sister, not his sister. The Lucretia brothers always treated her harshly.

"Hey! This is a foreign territory to you. As a cousin, I can be a guide." Elenio put on a pouting expression. The indifference of Evander and Elthia hurt him a little. "At least let me accompany you all day special today."

"sorry. But, we're not five years old anymore." Evander and Elthia resolutely refused with her compact. For the size of children approaching adolescence, these two brothers look much more mature than children their age. Sometimes, Elenio even cringe at Evander and Elthia's side. Their calm attitude always managed to make him shudder.

"Don't you want to pity me?"

Elenio showed the clearest expression he had. Forgetting quickly the inner wound that had already been cut in the corner of his heart. It was painful for anyone who heard it. But because Elenio is very accustomed to being given a similar reaction at every opportunity. As if watered with healing medicine, the pain that should have existed now disappeared without even a trace.

"Let me accompany you, huh!? Yeah!?"

"No."

The resolute refusal without the need to wait for a long time further aggravated Elenio's scowling expression. The two moon netra of hers stared enviously at Astrella and Astra who were in the arms of the twins. "Hey, can we switch places? I hate being left alone." Elenio who gave up persuading his two cousins, tried to seduce their familiar. Elenio hoped, just like the familiar his father had. Astrella or Astra also has the same ability as Lias.

"One of you is wearing my looks. So, let me wear your looks."

"Doing what is forbidden is a form of treason." Astrella's calm statement, instantly shattered Elenio's hopes. As if there was the sound of lightning striking within his head, Elenio bowed before Elthia and Evander. The discouragement that Elenio let out sounded miserable.

"If only I had magic...."

Elenio lamented his miserable fate. The misfortune that was on him was, so regretted by him.

"Stop whining, Elenio..." Elthia was quite concerned about Elenio's fate. He patted his cousin's shoulder. Elthia showed the most charming smile she had. Elthia could not let Elenio waste their time any further.

"Aren't we going to meet after school? I promise, as a form of our celebration today, I'll have tea with you."

"You promise?"

"Yes. I promise."

Elthia extended her hand. Unlike Elenio who was still staring suspiciously as if he was trying to be tricked, Elthia was calm. His greeting hands, getting a response in the form of a decision from Evander who was behind him.

"Let's go."

Evander clasped Elthia's hand. His hurried footsteps slightly dragged his twin sister. Elthia's hand was released thanks to her shocking movements.

"The supervisor's teacher is staring at us. I don't want to get a bad stamp on this first day." Evander was clear right before Elenio and Elthia had a voice. The two beautiful netra of hers glanced at the figure of an adult standing near the pillar of support, not far from where the headmaster was.

Because the distance between them was quite far, Evander had to amplify his voice a little. "You too. Get to class!" to be honest, Elenio's calm demeanor in this condition was irritating. Evander could not help but cluck at Elenio's behavior. Evander knew, Elenio was rarely able to be calm. Not panicking Elenio in attitude is a rare thing that is so difficult to get. However, under these conditions, instead of being grateful, Evander wanted to curse his cousin.

"Don't forget your promise, yeah!"

An unexpected reply from Elenio, managed to escape the harsh words from Evander's mouth. It feels, Evander wants to hit the head so that it can be rearranged for the better.

"As usual, he's very relaxed and doesn't know the situation." Beside Evander, Elthia who had now walked by herself laughed stiffly. The harsh words that Elthia had previously heard, surprised her a little. Elthia did not expect Evander who is famous for his softness can emit swearing. And that's because of Elenio.

"I wish he could make a friend who could lead him to be better."

"He really should be tamed."

Evander's annoyance, which still felt in every word, was laughed at by Elthia. Seeing this brother get out of control like this, it felt quite unique. Elthia did not expect that her brother would act like this.

"Don't be so angry. You know yourself, right? This was already the hallmark of Elenio." Elthia tried to calm Evander down by stroking his brother's back.

"We can't do anything about his natural attitude."

"He really looks like his father." Complain Evander. Astra who walked first in front of him, became the object of his attention.

"Can we last for five years in their family home?"

"We will be able to survive for nine years against Sebastian." Answer Elthia. A soft laugh sounded from him. "So, why not? After all, the time we will pass will not be too long if we enjoy it enough."

"Hm... You're right."

"By the way. What's Sebastian doing right now, huh?"

"I'm sure he's preoccupied with all sorts of jobs right now." Evander replied, sighing. Imagining how busy the brother was when he arrived at their residence without having enough rest, also made Evander feel tired.

"Dad must've given him a lot of work."

Their father was unforgiving. Although lately their relationship has all felt lighter than before, that doesn't mean their father will also relieve the three of them of the duties he was given.

Elthia laughed stiffly. What Evander said also overshadowed him. Their eldest brother must have a myriad of activities to complete. "I hope Sebastian can rest enough."

For some reason, Elthia felt a little guilty about the request she made. If only she had the connections and abilities, Elthia as much as possible did not want to add to her brother's burden.

"Don't worry about it."

Evander's slow pat on the head, making Elthia look up. The two netra who stared confidently at him, became the object of Elthia's attention completely.

"You know it yourself. Sebastian's brother is not an easy person to fall let alone give up."

"I knew. Sebastian's brother is not a person who gives up easily." Elthia showed a faint smile. Evander's hand that was previously on his head, Elthia lowered it. Elthia looked at their clinging hands. "I just hope, she's not pushing herself too much either."

"You're worried about your request, aren't you?"

Elthia nodded, confirming. "Because it's a difficult request. I'm a little scared Sebastian's working harder than usual."

"Dad couldn't possibly let him do something too much."

Although strict and always give the task. Their father kept his eyes on the limits of their abilities. What he has given so far is the hope that later they can all be independent, and not shirk responsibility. Evander believes that even if it seems impossible to him, their father has well considered his abilities. So, since Sebastian was much more formidable than both of them as well as the future successor to the Lucretia family, it was certainly a task given to his eldest brother that was more than theirs.

"As long as brother doesn't force us to meet. I'm sure you gave his help to brother."

Elthia imagined Sebastian's smiling face when facing their father. As Evander said, as long as her brother did not insist on meeting them both. The silent battle of the two possessors of that terrible smile was impossible. On the contrary, since Sebastian did a well-delivered job, their father would naturally give his help and approval without objection.

"How lonely is Sebastian's brother, alone there."

It has become routine, Sebastian spent his rest time with the two of them. Elthia could not imagine how lonely her brother was when the two of them were now far from sight.

"Sister Sebastian can't possibly force you to meet us, right?"

Evander nodded. The shadow of Sebastian taking the task seriously, appeared in his mind. "I'm sure you're working hard right now."

Evander looked at Elthia. The decisive door that will completely change the course of their lives is now right in front of their eyes.

"Are you ready?"

Elthia nodded. There was not the slightest doubt in his gaze. "Yes, I'm ready."

"Then, let's go in together."

They both pushed the door at the same time. A faint smile adorned the lips of both. With this one step, a new destiny will be intertwined. The previously scattered lives will complement each other. Like the puzzle piece, the empty part that was previously visible, is now starting to fill up. Form a picture of two lives that are connected to each other. Whether it's directly, or not.

...°·°·°·°·°·°...

In a large room sat a man. The gaze of his two moon-colored eyes was seen staring at the focus of the picture printed inside his large mirror.

"Good progress. I like the decision he made." he muttered as he stared fixedly at the figure depicted in the mirror. The silver unraveling head of the figure nodded as if he was judging. A smile full of satisfaction was on his lips.

"So, the rest, depends on how they make the choice later."

The two moon netra of hers stared at the figure that had just joined her. The figure of a man who also has a mane similar to him, also has a look that is no less charming than him.

"Tristana. Have you seen your girl?"

Tristan shakes. "You yourself? What kind of change did you get, Leander?" Tristan took a position, standing in front of Leander. Without caring about the hostile gaze of the mirror owner. Tristan watched closely the expression of the figure of a boy who was in the mirror. The dark blue colored hair of the boy caught his attention a little.

"Istvan, huh?"

"You're blocking me! At least give me a little slit!" Leander, who did not receive the mirror covered by Tristan's body, pulled the man to the side. "I wouldn't explain it if you blocked my mirror like this!"

Regretfully, Leander removed Tristan from the front of his mirror. Just like Tristan, the reaction given by Leander is also not much different when looking at the figure seen in the mirror.

"Ah. I hate that look."

Leander re-occupied himself on his bench. Tristan's serious face beside him, Leander noticed. "Is something going on?" he asked because he was disturbed by Tristan's terrible expression. The forehead shriveled the sign of the figure thinking hard, slightly teasing Leander.

"Your face looks bad."

"The curtain is opening."

Curtain... huh?

Leander did not expect that the place where the creatures of darkness were located would open. It will be very bad when the curtain opens. For it is the curtain that has been holding the creatures of darkness to disorder in their world.

"Have you closed it?"

Since only Tristan alone had the power to clear things up, Leander who could not interfere could only ask.

"How many are open, and where are they located?"

"There's two. One in the land of Ambrogio ruins. One in the area near the Lucretia family forest."

"Lucretia's forest?!"

Leander could not help his surprise. To his surprise, Leander even stood up from his sitting position.

"You sure about that?"

As Leander recalled, the forest within the dominions of the Lucretian nobility was a place of high purity. So, why would a curtain open in such a place? What was the trigger?

Leander thought hard. His forehead shriveled, while both eyes fixedly stared at the two shadows seen inside his mirror.

Ah.. is it possible...

After remembering again. The rise of the magic power of Lucretia's children occurred in the forest. So, can Leander regard this incident as a threat? It is highly unlikely if the new children have that power that does. The possible thing that Leander can think of is, there are figures who want to harm them, but fail because the children have magic unexpectedly.

"Have you found out who did it?"

The raised shoulder that Tristan gave in response, made Leander sigh softly. "It seems like it's getting harder." Leander muttered while squeezing his long hair bangs. Her waist-deep silver mane fell gently following her movements as Leander sat back in place.

Hopefully this can be controlled well.

Leander shut his mouth. The silence created thanks to his silence, not one bit disturbed Tristan who had noticed it.

"The storyline has gone well so far." Understand that there is nothing more Tristan wants to say. Leander began to explain the results of his work. "The way the girl took action, far exceeded my expectations."

"He's making drastic changes?"

Leander nodded. "Yes. And that's in one act."

"Enormally enough."

Leander. That was awesome. Just like Tristan, Leander was quite satisfied with the girl's assertiveness in taking action.

Novella's careful, thoughtful attitude was very satisfying. Leander didn't even stop praising himself for choosing the right person for all of them.

"Do you want to see her, Tris?"

Leander ignored Tristan's shock as he called out to her with a familiar call. The creepy expression that Tristan gave as a form of rejection for his nickname, did not even affect Leander.

"If you want to see him, it's better not to take too long." Leander advised. For him who can open the 'book', of course Leander can find out who the figure that the girl will meet. Well. although Leander can not guess what kind of groove will be created. At least, with a few names written, it had already become quite a leak for him. The existence of one other important figure that the girl might encounter, has an influence that is also as great as the existence of a Luca.

"I hope. You didn't make him wait any longer."

What Leander said, was well thought out by Tristan. Closing his eyes for a moment, Tristan tried to relax his mind. The thought of a dark creature trying to get out of the curtain, tried to divert even if it was just for a moment.

"I'll try as soon as possible."

Tristan does not want to repeat the same mistake. Whatever happens, as much as possible he will complete his task quickly.

"May you not be late."

"Hopefully."

There was nothing he wanted but the safety of the girl. At any rate, Tristan did not want to feel the pain of loss. Either later, or now. Tristan did not want to lose a valuable figure to him for the second time.

the author's corner :

sorry if the picture is a bit unsatisfactory. For now, my drawing ability can only be just his face. In the future, I will try to make more satisfying illustrations. Thank you for taking the time to read this story.