𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.
𝘚𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘴.
-----
Two weeks have passed since the ceremony where the Supreme Oracle had proclaimed the quest to retrieve Aurora Diemque.
Not a single sign of anyone being revealed. The nobles had agreed that upon discovering one of their own had been chosen, they would share with the rest of the nobles on how it worked.
It was terrifying, and the fear had sapped into the lower-class living within the noble lands. They did not know what exactly was going on but they knew their masters were fearful of something soon to come.
The only nobles that have explained the situation to the peasants of their lands were the Archelio family and the Vessard family. The rest didn't wish to spread panic, and the Pellemeur family did not want to elaborate to their subjects until they themselves received more elaboration from other sources.
After the events of the ceremony, the school that Houvdon attended, School of Delusional Arts, had canceled classes for the next couple of weeks as to allow some time for the magic-users to train on their own with the help of their families.
Houvdon kept his eyes closed as he flexed his fingers. Even though his eyes were closed, he was able to sense the lights that illuminated the room. With every movement of his fingers, the lights blinked on and off. With each light flickering on and off, he felt power surging through his body.
He exhaled softly, timing his breathing to match his hands moving shoulder height down to his lap, where his legs were crossed.
He immersed himself into his magic, his heartbeat pounding in his head. He felt the light bend to his will easily, not much effort being placed in the manipulation of such a powerful force of nature originating from the cosmic Sun itself.
To think there was once a time where he did not have this much control over his magic...to think there was a time where he wasn't considered the strongest.
How can someone like him once be nothing?
He frowned as he let go of his concentration. The lights all flickered off, before turning back on. The warm feeling inside of his body disappeared, and the humming he heard from inside his head slowly faded until he can hear the rest of the world normally.
While he was using his magic, his hearing would be murky. However, after releasing his control over the natural world, he would hear and see things clearer than before, almost as if exerting his powers calmed his body, made him human.
A soft knock on the door gained his attention. He blinked as he turned his head, seeing Asfr.
"It is time to return to school."
Houvdon gave a small sigh as he nodded. The trip to school would take at least thirty minute on horse since it was rather far from his home.
"Thank you for notifying me Asfr."
The servant bowed his head as Houvdon walked past him and exited his room, already dressed in the typical fashion he usually went to school in. Simple robes, different from those he had worn to the banquet, and a sword at his hip.
Asfr had always reminded him to carry some sort of weapon besides his magic in order to defend himself should he be unable to cast any spells.
He smiled inwardly and shook his head. As if anyone would be able to stop him from casting his magic. He was able to cast it with mere thoughts and twitches of his fingers. He had no need to wave his hand broadly like how some of those in his school did.
He was strong.
He had no need for such barbaric practices.
-----
Houvdon slowed to a stop in front of the school. He slid off his horse and led it into the local stables. He guided his steed into its designated stall and filled container within with water.
His school had stables because it knew people from all over the surrounding regions came to attend due to its rather prestigious reputation. To continue to keep that high reputation, the school had built a stable for those from faraway lands, such as he, could leave their horse to rest conveniently.
He patted her head and she gave him a gentle nuzzle into his hand.
"Farewell for now."
He turned away, and he was face to face with someone who was about to touch his shoulder to get his attention.
Few people were willing to talk to him due to his reputation as the next head of the famed Archelio family, and the girl in front of him with delight in her eyes upon seeing him again was one of the few who was willing to.
"Houvdon! It's been too long."
She wrapped her arms around him and he awkwardly hugged her back.
"Luna...it's only been two weeks. We saw each other at the ceremony..."
"Nonsense. Two weeks is too long without you."
The Prince sighed as he pushed her away but still held onto her shoulders. He took a look at her appearance and smiled slightly down at her.
She possessed brown eyes and brown hair and was wearing a rather large cloak that covered her entire body. The sleeves were rather large and covered her hands when she took her own hands off of Houvdon's body.
"It's good to see you again Luna."
She blushed as she turned away. "O-Of course. It's not like you talk to many people anyway."
He shook his head at her antics. She was the same as ever. "That's where you are wrong. People do talk to me."
"No, they talk of you, and try to get your attention. They try to use your reputation for their own benefit." She poked his cheek and he swatted her finger away when her nail dug into his flesh. "Not many actually try to get to know you."
He shrugged off the subtle meaning behind her words. "School will start soon. We better not be late like last time."
Her cheeks flushed at the mention of the "last time."
She was embarrassed even thinking about the time where they had fallen asleep at the stables together because they had arrived early. When both of them awoke at the same time, Houvdon realized he had a wet spot on his chest where she had lain her head on to be in a comfortable position.
That was also the day where Houvdon would find out that she drooled in her sleep.
"O-Of course. There will never be a "last time" again." She was still flustered remembering the embarrassing moment, stumbling on her first word.
She grabbed onto his arm and placed it between her breasts. He gave her a frown at she looked down at her, but she gave a shy smile as she linked her left arm through his right.
He gave a soft sigh and shook his head, not bothering to move his arm away from her.
The moment they left the stables they were hit by both the talk and the sun.
"Oh look! It's Houvdon and Luna."
"They don't look like they match."
"Really? They look great together."
"I wish I was in Luna's place."
"I wish I was in Houvdon's place."
Of course there were mixed opinions of what they had seen. There was always some sort of criticism whenever Luna and Houvdon were seen together, almost as if the world did not want them together.
Houvdon reprimanded himself. He and Luna were not together. There was nothing between the two of them. Absolutely nothing.
They stopped in front of a door. He had walked Luna to her first class, which was just down the hall from his.
"I'll see you in Dueling Class."
She smiled at him. "Of course. I wouldn't miss a day where I get to see the Great Houvdon Archelio's skills."
He made a noise at her words. Everyone always watched him in the class, hoping to pick up some of the same techniques that he used so they can use it themselves.
Sadly for them, what he did was not something that can be taught.
It can only gifted.
"Don't talk like that." His voice was gruff and she shook her head softly at his tone. She looked at the side just behind him, and Houvdon turned around to look at the white-haired, blue eyed boy she was looking at.
He turned back around to look at her. She had put her hand up.
"Bye Houvdon." She waved at both him and the person that she had looked at behind Houvdon. "Hi and bye Zylaorfier."
"Have fun in class Luna." Zylaorfier stifled a laugh when she skipped away into the class, and turned to his friend. "So...did I miss something? Are the two of you finally together? Hit it off during the two week break? At the ceremony?"
"There is nothing going on between us. Nothing." Houvdon growled at his friend.
He shrugged. "Well, I can't say that you don't like it either. If you truly despised it, you would have put an end to it a long time ago. Just a single word and the rumors will stop due to their majesty's word. Not a single person in the school doubts your word." He chuckled and smirked. "Well, except me. I know you are full of bull half the time."
"What are you even talking about?" Houvdon blinked as Zylaorfier started to ramble about something that wasn't close to what they were talking about.
Zylaorfier blinked, his gaze turning uneasy. "Wait, what was I talking about?"
They looked at each other, neither of them backing down from the ego contest they had somehow started, with neither of them knowing why exactly they were staring down the other.
Their moment was broken by the soft clearing of a throat.
They turned at the same time to stare at the brown-haired girl who had her head tilted down slightly at being in the presence of the famed Prince of Etherstorm, Houvdon Archelio, and his friend, Zylaorfier.
"You are...blocking my locker." Her words were hesitant, almost as if she were scared to speak the truth.
They blinked, and Zylaorfier scratched the back of his neck. "Oh...well excuse us. Sorry for blocking your way."
"A-ah." She looked up and both of them did a double take at her deep amber eyes despite being several shades lighter than Houvdon's own amber eyes. "I-it's-there is no need to apologize to me. I should be apologizing for wasting both of your times."
"Nonsense! It is simply right for us to-"
"Zy." The white-haired male looked at his golden-haired friend. He had lain a hand on his shoulder and gestured with his head. A meaningful look was in Houvdon's amber eyes.
"We need to go. Class will start soon."
Zylaorfier blinked. His blue eyes were clouded with confusion at Houvdon's sudden mood change.
"Well...until next time." He said to the rather beautiful looking girl that they had blocked the locker of. "Hopefully I'll see you again."
She gained a blush at the noble's words and she turned away from the charming male in order to clear her flustered state.
As Houvdon and Zylaorfier walked away, the white-haired boy turned his head to look back at her.
She had opened her locker so she wasn't able to see the thoughtful expression on the boy's face.
-----
"What happened there?" Zylaorfier demanded of his friend as they walked out of earshot. If they were already late, what was another couple minutes?
Not like any teacher was willing to mark the Great Heir of Archelio tardy.
"That girl, do you recognize her?"
He blinked in confusion. "I...don't know what you are talking about?"
"We didn't recognize her. We should have known every person in the school by now. How did she escape our search? Why do we have a transfer student now of all times?" Houvdon clarified.
Was this what the Supreme Oracle had meant? Was this how the search for the members of the quest was being conducted? Was the incarnate of the Greater Beings attempting to convey this message to them? Only those who were smart enough to figure out the workings of the cosmic beings were chosen for the quest?
Were only those that were able to see the strange workings of Phantasma itself going to be chosen for the quest?
"Houvdon...what are you talking about?" Zylaorfier asked in concern for his friend. "Why are you acting like this? What search are you even talking about? You are starting to scare me."
This time, their roles were reversed. This time, Zylaorfier was the one who had no idea what Houvdon was rambling on about.
The amber-eyed male blinked, his eyes had glinted over and confusion was in his gaze.
"W-what?" Houvdon spoke shakily. His voice and tone was different.
It was different from the one Zylaorfier was talking to just a couple moments ago.
"We were just talking about the girl we blocked the locker of." Zylaorfier proceeded slowly, his voice hesitant as if speaking his words were having him walk on thin ice.
"O-oh." He drew a shaky breath. "That girl, did you recognize her?"
Zylaorfier felt a chill go down his spine. It was the exact same words that he had spoken just a little over a minute ago.
"No...I didn't."
"I see." He placed his hand under his chin as he pondered over the girl they had conversed with. "That means that she is probably from a lower noble, or even a peasant family."
He dismissed the topic of the girl as easily as he had brought it up.
"Does her status matter? All that matters is we blocked her locker and she asked us to move, no?"
"It isn't that simple." Houvdon sighed. He ran his hand through his hair. "You know this school. Only nobles talk with nobles. Only peasants talk with peasants. They don't cross those lines, even I don't cross those set lines. If anyone finds out what happened earlier, the nobles would never live it down about how a peasant dared to talk to not only one, but two nobles, especially one of my status."
"Yeah but-"
"No buts my friend." He silenced him with a wave of his hand. "Next time we see her, make sure to not give any signs of familiarity."
"It's not like I can." He grumbled as his blue-eyes darted to the floor. "We didn't even learn her name."
"It's a good thing we didn't. Otherwise it'll be harder to pretend we never exchanged a single word with her."
-----
Houvdon walked into his dueling class. The door was slightly ajar, and when Houvdon pushed it open, he saw that he was the last person to walk into class.
He scanned the room to see Luna sitting at the usual desk, with a spare seat beside her. He gave a small smile to her, and he noticed the majority of the girls in the class swooned at his smile.
He ignored them and seated himself just as the teacher started talking.
"Welcome to class everyone. For today, instead of a combat lesson like before, I wish to instead talk about the core of our powers. We will start with a refresher. Can anyone name the core elements?"
A single hand rose as the person talked. "Fire, Water, Earth, Lightning, Wind."
"Thank you. You may be seated."
A phrase of respect was spoken from the students as he was given permission to sit back down after answering the question.
"I believe all of you are aware of where our powers originate from no?"
Universal nods all around the class as the majority understood their magic was determined by their blood-line. If their blood-line even had a single drop of magic-using blood, they would be able to wield magic.
If their blood-line never received any sort of blood relating to any magic-wielder, they would not be able to wield anything.
"Then I can skip that part. What I wish to focus on today, are those with irregular powers. Houvdon Archelio, would you please stand?"
He stood, knowing the teacher had only called him out because he was well-known for his rather irregular element. Few knew about his uprising and he was determined to keep it as few as those who currently held knowledge of his rise to the highest of rankings.
"You wield light magic, which is not directly related to any of the five elements. This in itself should raise flags in how high your potential can be due to your uniqueness."
The teacher's all-knowing eyes twinkled with pride at one of his students being strong enough to be considered being placed in the Council of Nobles, where only the strongest of Nobles reside.
They numbered only at seven, but these seven made the most important decisions regarding their oppression from the distant Clarity lands and their [CLARITY] Knights that were constantly in combat with the [DELUSIONAL] Knights that hailed from this very territory Houvdon currently stood in.
The teacher motioned for him to sit down. He bowed, and took his seat at the dismissal of his elder.
"As you all know, when one is born, their core is determined by their bloodline. Should the child's parents both be Fire, then the child would wield Fire. Should the parents have Fire and Earth, the child would be able to wield either Fire or Earth."
"However in rare cases, the child would be able to wield both elements, the attribute of Magma, the power over the very substance from volcanoes, capable of conjuring lava however he pleased much like how many of you can conjure Water or Fire at your whims."
The teacher's eyes once again shined with clairvoyance. He stared directly at Houvdon as he spoke, the Prince of Etherstorm shivering as a chill went down his spine.
"However...in even rarer cases, this child would be able to wield both elements however they wished, wielding both Fire and Earth separately rather than their blood mixing both. They would have completely control over Fire and Earth, manipulating both with either hand, and mixing these two into the attribute of Magma whenever he deemed fit while also having the capabilities of only wielding one of them so he wished."
He gave a small smile as he took his gaze off of Houvdon.
"Now that that explanation is taken care of now we can move onto the elements of our oppressors, which I know is an uncommon topic, but not forbidden."
"The magic of the denizens of the Clarity Land is vastly different from ours. The common themes for Clarity magic is not elements like us, but rather-"
A blood-curling scream interrupted the professor as everyone turned in shock at the person who released the scream.
Houvdon's eyes were wide as he held the shoulders of Luna, who covered her right eye. The Noble was able to see the blood that dripped out from underneath her hand, almost as if they were tears of blood.
"Luna?! What's wrong?!" He shook her gently as he tried to call to her.
She released another scream as she pressed her palm against her face.
Students scrambled away as they attempted to cover their ears to prevent the high-pitched sound to irritate their eardrums any longer. The teacher had a look of concern as he took steps closer to Luna.
"Luna!" He wretched her hand from her face as his eyes widened. His heart dropped to his stomach as he remembered what the Oracle had said at the ceremony only a couple weeks ago:
The magic-wielders that will be chosen will receive a message from the cosmos above, and they will understand the message they are given.
The Sun had reached the peak of its height, directly above the world of Phantasma. It burned, far hotter than it had ever been before, almost mocking the sight of what Houvdon was trying to comprehend.
He knew what it had meant by a "message", but Houvdon was trying to resist the truth. He growled inwardly at the unfairness of it all, the method of being chosen to be in a suicidal quest.
Luna's right eye was now a deep purple.
-----
𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕰𝖓𝖉