"You have 1 hour left." Professor announced as I sighed deeply, writing my answer for the very last question.
I recheck the questions and my answers, after confirming that I didn't miss anything, I sign on the right end after, closing the book and the fountain pen.
"I'm done, professor." I stated raising my close pen, knowing the rules, he raise his brow with poker face expression, staring at me intently.
"Is the lady sure? There's no turning back after submitting your paper so soon." he said as I nodded and he go and walk his way to my spot.
"I already rechecked my paper to make sure I didn't missed anything." I spoke as he hummed and he nod looking at my paper, but I can sense the thrill through his eyes.
"Did the lady attended a review session before?" he asked, making a conversation making me nod and sit straight.
"I attended once but only at home with my tutor." I answered honestly.
I can be more honest saying I got lazy and made excuses of tagging along my grandmother to her business trips, but that would make me seem like I wasn't taking the exam seriously.
"I see, the lady will have to wait for an hour till everyone is done." he said as I nodded and put my answer sheet in the book to hide it and avoid crumpling it, then my professor marked something on his black log book, returning to the platform as I sit casually, looking at the window.
I was startled to come in face to face with a small chubby yellow browed sparrow with a gold leg tag, standing by the window stool almost next to me if it wasn't for the giant window glass in-between.
I think animals are a fond of me, really, when I was back in Wisteria, birds, chipmunks and bunnies are residing our garden which the gardeners don't mind at all, even butterflies and dragonflies roaming around the plants to the point we almost have a butterfly conservatory with them multiplying there.
The gardener said that means our plants are healthy enough for the animals to reside there.
Birds with different types of breeds would randomly visit me on tea time, they're really the most curious type of creatures every time I play piano at the garden conservatory, they would patiently listen and watch.
I put my left index on the window glass, towards the bird who rub it's face against the glass where my index was placed, I find it amusing, hiding my smile with my right fist as I lean against my table.
Other animals have white to gold auras most of the time but the birds that would visit me always have powdery pink and yellow auras, and they have a gold tag which means they have owners.
I slide my finger to the left making the bird hop following and press it's head on the glass funny, I slide it to the right and it followed my finger again doing the same thing.
I'm glad the window is just on the right height that reaches the axillary of my arm, enough to not distract the others of me playing with the bird on the window stool.
Time pass as I feel the auras around me turn greyish yellow, the anxiety of the examinees chasing the deadline as I leisurely cross my arms, getting tired of playing with the bird who's still watching me as I look around the room.
The empire really funds the academy greatly, the qualities of the materials inside are all top notch.
The examinees all looks like they're about to attend a ball instead, boys and girls, noble and commoners are all dressed up just as my grandmother observed.
They look so colorful.
"5 minutes." Professor Rick said as I cover my mouth and bow my head to hide myself yawning, scrunching my nose a bit and wipe the small tears away from my eyes with my fingers gently.
I heard a faint tap as I look to my left and saw the bird pecking on the glass then hop when it caught my attention which made me raise my brows as it suddenly fly away and disappear through the oak trees planted around the academy.
"Time is up, sign the right end and close your pens." Professor Rick called out as I hear a few groans and sighs with pen scribblings and clicks.
Once everyone is done, Professor Rick snap his fingers making my answer sheet float along the others on the air, followed my the books which automatically stack separately on top of his oak table.
"That concludes the academic exam, you'll have 3 hours long break enough to have lunch, comeback in this room before 15 in the afternoon and don't be late for the mana test, dismiss." Professor Rick announced as we all stand up and greet him dismissively.
I was confused when no one is going out and all are watching me which made me frown in confusion.
I only slipped off my seat and look at the professor hesitantly who only smile brightly and lead the way as I followed, just then everyone followed behind.
Oh God.
I feel flustered being treated with caution, it's as if I'm a bomb and they're so scared to make a wrong move.
I sometimes feel burden by how people are so scared of my family but I can't blame them.
"I'll see you all later." the professor said to the end of the hall and opening the door, as I nod and walk out, awkwardly walking my way and with the rest of the examinees behind me while Professor Rick came back in the room and shut the door.
The examinees' auras are so grey and yellow it's only intensifying, they're so anxious.
We all made it to the long hallway and almost froze on my track when students stop on my side who came out from another door with other professor all stared at me with eyes wide.
I only smile and go walk my way faster without stopping before they even greet me one by one.
I hate this so much.
I finally see the end of the wing leading to the main academy hall, checking my back just as I bump into a hard pillar or something, making me gasp stumbling aback but was grab my waist which made my eyes widen.
I look up to see a person definitely taller than me, wearing a red cloak which covers the face and I can only see the lips and nose.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry." I panicked realizing my left foot is on top of his right, as I put my foot away and the person help me stand properly.
"Is there something that bothers the lady to make you run like that?" the deep voice startle me a bit as I try to compose myself, he tilt his head to look pass me as I turn too seeing I did run because the student's are still nowhere to be seen, which made my face beat red.
Oh my-
The hands oddly feels warm holding my arms and I look at the boy or man, around my brother's age or so, I could only guess as I blink analyzing the person when he turn to me with a hum and the hood blocking his eyes.
His aura.
"I'm Max, part of the student council if the lady is wondering, it's a mandatory for student council to wear this type of cloak, Lord Dritan has one too if you see him today." he said as I oh and nod in understanding, not knowing.
Max?
Is he a lower than a commoner to not have a last name or he just forgot to mention?
"I-I'm Althea, I, can you help me find the location where the guardians are waiting?" I asked since the whole main lobby is empty.
"Oh, this way, I'll guide you."
He offered his right arm like a knight as I hold onto his forearm and he lead the way to the east wing.
"You're close to my brother?" I asked as he hummed smiling brightly with a light nod.
His aura, why is it blood red?
Like a boiling lava, I only see that color when dad is angry and frustrated with things regarding his job as a grand duke.
D-Did I just made this guy angry just by asking about my brother?
Is he that mad?
I don't want to read his thoughts, it's rude as much as I have a capability to do so.
We reach the end hall and stop by the massive oak door as I was surprise when he lower his head a bit closer to my right ear
"Never go with strangers freely ever again like this, Lady Althea, you're lucky I'm not someone with bad feelings towards the grand duchy, you weren't even sure if I'll truly take you to your destination, what if I am a bad guy and have bad intentions? You can get harm my lady, and I'm a man." he muttered warning me with a serious tone which made me gulp letting go of his arm.
I can read auras, and only people with murky auras are the people I need to avoid.
His aura smells like a faint rose, who would even be intimidated by that?
He means no harm.
"And here." he muttered handing me a white handkerchief which made me frown.
"You have ink stain on the side of your hand, you didn't notice, good thing it didn't stain your sleeves but there is some on your right jaw a bit, my lady." he said which made me feel even more flustered, taking the handkerchief.
My grandmother would be upset if the dress she personally picked for me gets ruined, I don't have Wendy to assist me right now, especially with judgmental nobles around.
"Thank you very much." I said wiping my right hand which there is indeed a black ink stain.
He take out a flask on his left waist, suddenly making a water float out of it.
He used a wind affinity to control the water and make it float, damping on my right hand where the ink is, and the warm water touch my right jaw too which made me squirm, he put the water back to the flask and close it then grab the handkerchief from my hand, wiping my hand and my jaw.
He's probably a commoner, he's too rough but somehow gentle too on just wiping a simple ink stain off my hand and my jaw.
His aura is turning light, he's already calm and less fierce in mood.
This guy, maybe he can be a great friend to have as a start, he seem casual and normal even with the courtesy.
For the first time, someone doesn't seem afraid to approach me.
"I really appreciate it but please, lessen this type of courtesy." I mumbled as he hum and fold the handkerchief.
I snatch the ink stained cotton handkerchief and ran my way to the door waving at him.
"I'll return it to you clean and good as new, I promise, if you're in the council with my brother, I'm sure we'll meet one way or another soon, thank you Sir Max." I said as he turn to me and smile brightly, he seem happy about it with his aura turning yellowish pink even though I can only see his smile and not his whole face.
"That's a handkerchief from my grandmother, make sure to return it clean or else she'll hit me." he said which made me giggle and nod then I enter the room and close the door.
It will be great to have someone normal, not that everyone is not, I just want to surround myself with people comfortable enough with me and my brother if I ever get in the academy.
I turn and walk through the entryway as I spotted a banquet like set up where the guardians are waiting.
"Thea." my nana called as I turn to my right and walk my way to then, putting the handkerchief in my hidden dress pocket.
"Let's go." my dad said as I nod taking us out with Sir Ulysses following behind leisurely.