Walking together with Wulff, they stopped at a table accompanied by a long, red-haired man and woman. [They look so similar. Maybe they're twins?]
"Welcome, future students of the Leon Academy. We hope you enjoyed the Mana Test. My name is Caspian Fester, the Dean of the Academy and this is my sister, Aeris Fester, the Faculty President. As you can probably tell, yes, indeed we are twins, but obviously, I'm the better-looking one." The man joked.
Ella and the rest of the crowd laughed. [He's a funny guy, and seems laid-back like my professor back at college. I like him].
"Leon Academy is a distinguished and prestigious in Lumiere. Established in 1600 by Emperor Louis Leon and named after the royal family, we have produced some of the finest and brightest students that have aided Lumiere's continuing peace and success. Some of our students have advanced medicine and technology, agriculture and even have helped lead the Kingdom. Don't tell the other Academy but we're definitely the better one."
Ella chuckled. [Why does this feel like he's selling the academy LOL. Reminds me of my college orientation].
"I won't talk too much or else my sister will get annoyed, but we sincerely hope you enjoy your days in the Academy. They will be some of the best years of your life. You will learn more about your gifts and how to develop them to be your best. You will learn about the deep history and culture of our Kingdom and others and even meet and interact with exchange students from foreign lands."
[That must be when Zafir Amari comes in! The foreign prince.]
"But most importantly will be the friendships you will form during your days in the Academy. Hey, maybe you'll even meet your future partner."
Ella and Wulff looked at each other, both silently trying hard not to laugh.
"But that's enough. I'll hand you over to Aeris to discuss more about the administration details a.k.a the boring stuff."
"Thank you, brother. And by the way, I, in fact, am the most good-looking one in the family." The crowd laughed merrily. The woman had long curly red hair that was tied behind and tanned skin. She was wearing a navy suit with golden floral designs and gave an air of authority compared to her relaxed brother. Both twins were incredibly tall with the only difference that Caspian's hair was shorter, coming below his ears. Caspian gave a 'chill' vibe, wearing a similar navy suit, with a gold pen in his breast pocket.
"To formally introduce myself, I am Aeris Fester, the Faculty President of Leon Academy. I am in charge of the daily affairs and the academic side of things. Basically, I do everything and he gets all the credit." Aeris sighed shaking her head.
"Hey, don't listen to her, guys! I do things too!" Caspian interrupted, justifying himself. More laughter erupted.
[Yeah, he doesn't do jack shit. I feel you girl.] Ella sighed, completely understanding Aeris.
"The Leon Academy is located near the Palace, which is up north of the capital's Central Square. Students can choose to dorm at the academy at a small cost of 20 silvers which will cover a year's worth. At both academies, a uniform will be required to be worn within the Academy and outside during official Academy outings and duties. Two sets of the uniform will be given to you free of charge, one summer and one winter. If you happen to lose or damage the uniform, you will have to pay, of course. Today is simply a very brief introduction to the Academy and more will be said at Orientation."
"For now, please line up to fill out some paperwork for the Academy. You will just need to write down your name, birthdate, your guardian details and whether or no you wish to dorm at the Academy. If you have any questions or issues, please let me know."
[I remember that Ella Deon boarded in the novel. I don't want to do that since the chance of running into the harem of boys is high but home is too far away. I guess I'll just have to dorm then].
After collecting the paperwork, the Dean made a last speech.
"Thank you, future students. Orientation will begin in 3 days, or this Thursday at 9 am sharp. We will see you then. For now, the exit is just in front of you, exactly the path you took at the start. Take care, future students."
As Ella walked back, she wanted to know more about this new 'friend' of hers.
"Hey, Wulff. Are you going to dorm?"
"Why do you wanna know?" He said, grinning.
"I swear- I was just curious that's all." Ella rolled her eyes again. [Sheesh, cocky much.]
"I am dorming."
"Oh. Really?" Ella asked, albeit a little shocked.
"Yes. Why are you so shocked?" Wulff gave a little raspy laugh.
"Well, I dunno. I thought you wouldn't need to. You seem...well-off, so I assumed you lived nearby or something." Ella said.
"Well, you assumed wrong," Wulff answered in a chilling tone. [Shit, why is his aura so dark? Girl, you need to backtrack fast.]
Ignoring Wulff's tone, she continued. "Well, I'm dorming as well. I live out in the countryside with my mother, so it's much more convenient to dorm, although I still have no idea where the Academy is even with all their instructions." Ella laughed, trying fast to cover the tension.
"Oh really? What's it like?" Wulff's voice returned back to his usual deep tone.
"Hmm. Well, it's beautiful. The grass is so green and lush! And there's flowers and fields everywhere you go! Back at home, we have a huge garden at the back and my mother grows all sorts of plants. Her gift is Earth so she's a farmer by nature and so every week we go and sell our produce at the local farmer's market. Everyone back at town is super nice and we all know each other. It's a really great community."
"You sound animated when you talk. It sounds wonderful."
"Yes, it is! The air is just so lovely and fresh. My mother also makes the best food especially her vegetable stew and mushroom soup!"
"Oh right. Sorry. I get excited easily and I gesture a lot." Ella sheepishly said. It reminded her of the past where her friends would often joke about how excitable she would get.
"Don't ever apologise." Wulff sternly said. Ella turned to look at him.
"It's cute."
[Wait- did he just say what I think he just said?]. Ella's eyes were met with his strong gaze. It felt like hours before she turned back, hoping her face wasn't red.
You must love your mother very much."
"Yes...I do." Ella said, smiling. Despite having only been in this new world for a week, she felt like she lived her entire life here. While she missed her mum back on Earth, she loved her new mother, Sophie, and was grateful that she was a kind and loving mother. Everything in her new life was more quiet and peaceful compared to the fast-pace motion of the 21st century. Even though she had some regrets and missed her old family terribly, she knew that it would do nothing to ponder over it. [Thank god for my A+ skills in adapting!]
"How about yourself? Where do you live, somewhere near the Capital?" Ella asked, realising she still didn't know anything about this boy.
"I live up north, near the mountains," Wulff said, pointing to the distant mountains behind them.
"Oh wow. That's far out. Do you live with your family?"
"Yes...I suppose you could say that."
[His answers are fast and short. It seems there is a mystery behind this Wulff boy]. Realising she wouldn't get much out of Wulff, she switched the topic.
"Is the weather like, really cold out there? It must be freezing!" Ella curiously asked.
"Yes, it can get quite cold. The year is mostly blanketed with snow until summer where we get short months of warmth."
"Woah. But wait...if it's mostly snow, how are you so tan?" Ella innocently asked, facing Wulff.
Wulff stopped walking.
"Oh my god. Is there something wrong?" Ella panicked. [Wait, is he sick or something? Sh*t, did I hit a nerve?].
Wulff then erupted in laughter.
"Huh?" Ella blankly looked at him.
"I'm sorry. It was just a funny question." Wulff said, muffled by his laughter.
"You know, Ella, you're a funny girl. No one's ever asked me that before."
"But it's not even that funny? It's completely logical?? Like how are you so tan but you live in the snow? It doesn't make sense?" Ella quickly asked.
There was a pause.
"It's genetics."
"Oh." Ella paused.
"Now that... makes a lot of sense," Ella said, embarrassed, hiding her face in her hands like the internet meme.
Wulff gave out another soft chuckle. [Boy, if you don't stop being so goddamn attractive!!].
Round 2
Ella - 0, Wulff - 2.