Weeks had passed since the horror of what was to be known as the Basic Testing happened to Rielen and Eon. It had been time spent healing their minds from the horrors they had to endure there. Rielen had moved into a room specifically for the Elite Academy.
The first thing she noticed was the clear upgrade in opulence to her new room. She had thought her life was luxurious before. Now, she had not only Hyla, but a new servant named Tara. She was a petite girl, excited to be part of the Elite Academy attendants. She would often chatter while organizing Rielen's notes.
Hyla had been appointed as her Head Attendant, and continued handling things like her schedule, and any other task that was required for her young master. Rielen noticed that numerous invitations and introductions had been sent to her in the last few weeks.
Apparently, the Elite Academy was to train new Nobles and introduce them into Noble society. In fact, offers of marriage had started pouring in from Nobles hungry for Rielen's numerous powers. She had simply instructed Hyla to decline all such proposals.
Very few female mages made it to the Elite Academy. Therefore, she was housed in the same dorms as the young male mages. However, the King posted guards near her door to keep them away. Eon was allowed to visit, but only after lessons, and before curfew.
He would often lounge in her room watching her work. He brought his own work, but she often caught him staring at her. Hyla would always purse her lips when he knocked on the door, waiting each time for her master to say, "Let him in."
Honestly, she didn't understand why Rielen kept letting a man into her room. Tara would just giggle, and make excuses of needing to tidy this and that. Her cheeks were rosy as she stared at the young man.
Of course, all the time together had put a smile on Rielen's face. She would often ignore Hyla's advice, and plop on the couch next to Eon. The freedom of the Elite Academy did well for her constitution. She even felt relaxed enough to open up about the many abilities she had acquired over the last 5 years.
"You are amazing." Eon exclaimed, listening to her story. His hand grasped onto hers warmly. Rielen's breath caught up in her throat. "I just needed to work as hard as possible." She caught herself before revealing what she wasn't supposed to say.
Eon looked confused. "Is there something you're not telling me?" The hand on hers squeezed suddenly. She shook her head, indicating that she couldn't tell him. "Are you in danger?" She thought briefly on how to answer him. She nodded her head once, and looked over at Hyla, who seemed to be listening rather intently.
"Of course not. You worry too much, Eon," she lightly replied. His face was grim. She pleaded with her eyes, and he changed the subject. "We finally get to take real lessons next week. All this memorization of Noble families has been exhausting."
He was referring to the hierarchy of Nobles, and the most prominent families of the Kingdom. To be a Noble in Autra, one needed to have graduated from the Elite Academy. Upon graduation, one could join their Noble family, or create their own. Of course, if they were creating their own family, they may also choose a last name.
"Have you thought of a name you would like to choose?" Rielen asked him. "I was thinking something flashy," he replied, "like Tempest, or maybe something simple, like Vale. What about you?" He seemed to be reeling from the possibilities.
She was embarrassed. Her first thought was, 'Whatever you choose shall be mine.' Really? How could she tell him that? "I don't know," she said meekly, looking away. She wasn't sure she would even get to choose her own last name. There was still a chance the King would force her to marry some other Noble. She couldn't tell Eon that though. Secretly, she wished she could say she would take whatever he chose.
Eon could sense there was something she couldn't say again. He frowned. It was as if she wasn't allowed to pick a name at all. A thought passed through his mind. No. Anger welled up within him. A comment he had heard at the Academy suddenly entered his mind.
"Female mages are just for breeding anyways. Why bother giving them any resources?" Eon hadn't given this any thought back then. He was so focused on training his abilities. A lump formed in his throat as he realized that they could take Rielen from him yet again.
He made a silent promise in his heart. Whatever it would take, he would protect her. He had come this far, and he wasn't about to let something or someone take her away now. He knew the only way he could ensure that she would be his, is if he passed all the tests they threw at him, and won the right to be the next ruler.
Rielen sighed inwardly. She wished she could explain the circumstances to Eon. She wished she could proclaim that she would earn the right to be with him. She had her eyes set on the ultimate goal. 'No one can tell me who to marry if I become the next ruler!'