When she arrived back at school with her friends, the Headmistress was waiting for her at the entrance.
"Girls, would you mind if I speak with Jia?" Aline asked with a smile.
The girls all looked to Jia who nodded at them. They all left for the dorms as Aline directed her to the gardens.
"How are you feeling?" Aline asked softly.
"Alright now, thanks to Headmaster Eldon," Jia replied.
"I`m pleased to hear that and I have sent my thanks to the Headmaster of the Saton Knights for saving the life of one of my students," Aline reported.
"Thank you,"
"Jia, I understand that given your father`s position and from your aunt`s recommendation, I want to ask you if we should contact your family to-"
"No!"
"Pardon me?"
"No, I don`t want you to tell anyone, I was hurt yes but I`m fine now so I don`t want any more fuss."
"Very well. However, I am also obligated to get a statement from you. About what happened. And I will be sending at least a letter to your family."
"If you must, then send it to my Uncle Brad. He`ll know what to do."
Jia already made a mental note to call her uncle to tell him to ignore the letter as it would be disciplinary note that she revived for playing pranks. Her uncle would dismiss it as playing tricks was something he encouraged.
"Of course but Headmistress, May I ask why? This didn`t happen on campus so it shouldn`t be important."
"I take the safety of my students personally, if you weren`t able to protect yourself after all the training you received here than I`m obviously not doing my job."
"Of course not. The training helped plenty. I was just overwhelmed. I`m use to fighting sorceress and monsters but definitely not a copy of myself."
"Very well, would it be alright if you came to see me tomorrow?"
Jia nodded. The Headmistress walked her back to her dorm and left her with instructions to get plenty of rest all the while thinking of how lucky the girl was to have survived the attack from a creature from the Nether Realm.
Jia went back to call her Uncle and relayed her message before she was pulled into Rose`s room for a sleepover. Apparently after the attack, the girls just wanted to make sure she slept through the night without any problems as she didn`t have a Healing Sorceress nearby. The weeks pasted and soon it was time for the Ashton Knight Academy Exhibition Day.
The Halls of the Academy looked bright and well decorated. The school really knew how to go all out whenever they hosted something. Jia walked down the hallway behind Headmaster Eldon. A kind looking man that for some reason had laughing lines on his face. He was tall and had the longest black hair she had ever seen, it was practically begging her to be braided but she kept her cool. He had copper skin that was fitted in a grey armor that bore the symbol of a green griffin, the mascot of the school. His eyes were an unusual grey and they seem to twinkle in the light of the day.
Eldon was leading her to the top stand where the teachers and special guests would sit to watch the Ashton Knights Academy Exhibition. She was so excited. She was going to watch Roy and his friends perform today. All their hard work for the past three weeks would be on display today. They had just rounded a corner when she saw a familiar man dressed in an Elites Uniform. His black one having several medals down his shoulder and across his chest.
"Uncle Brad?!" Jia yelled and broke into a run past the Headmaster. Brad opened his arms to receive his well-dressed niece and hugged her tight with a laugh before releasing her.
His smile quickly turned into a frown when took in his niece's attire, "What are you wearing?"
"Blame aunt Jasmine, she bought this dress for me."
The dress in question was light blue floor length one with long sleeves that seem to connect to her silver wrist-length gloves. The dress seemed to have a sweet heart neckline and had small diamonds sewed into the bodice. The skirt of the dress had flashes of lightning starting from her waist down to the tips of the skirt. Her hair was in an elegant bun and she had worn her mother`s silver headband. She negotiated with her friends and was lucky enough to wear a pair of flats underneath her dress.
Brad rolled his eyes, "Of course she did. This is exactly why I fell for Helena. She didn`t like shopping."
"And neither do I. I had no choice but to wear this."
"The diamonds are a bit too much."
"That`s what I said but apparently, Aunt Camilla had been there so she insisted. Aunt Jasmine had to hold back her temper."
Brad`s eyes narrowed slightly," That woman really needs to…"
"Uncle Brad," Jia chided him sternly.
Brad sighed heavily," Alright, alright. I won`t say no more."
Jia nodded gratefully before she let him take her hand to escort her back to the Headmaster who was patiently waiting for them.
"I`m terribly sorry Headmaster," Brad apologized with his head slightly bowed.
"No need. I can see that you really missed the young Duchess." Eldon replied with a smile. He was all too aware of the relationship between his student Roy, the Young Duchess and the Elites.
"Very much so sir. Shall we?"
"So why isn`t Uncle Dalton here with you?"
Brad patted his niece`s hand, "Late Operation. Luckily for us all, your favorite uncle was the only one left to come. Now, do you want to explain to me why three weeks have past and you haven`t called your dad to let him know that you were in an attack at the Butterfly Sanctuary?" Brad asked.
Jia stopped before turning to glance up at her uncle`s expectant face.
"How did you-?"
Brad smirked," A report came in and I went to investigate. Imagine my surprise when I found out that six sorceresses from Viola were injured during the attack but didn't wish to be named or to sue the Sanctuary for negligence to safety. One sorceress in particular had magic linked to lightning."
"We didn`t want any more unnecessary damage to be done to the Sanctuary."
"And I am very sure the workers there appreciate that but you still need to explain why didn`t tell your dad or us, "Brad pointed out.
Jia ran a hand over her mouth," I survived and I didn`t want papa to have an excuse to bring me back home."
Brad snorted as Jia gave her uncle an unhappy stare," People get hurt all other time outside in the real world, Uncle Brad but that doesn`t mean they hide from the rest of the world. And anyway, I`m still alive and walking so that should be enough of an assurance that I am alright."
"Fine, I`ll bury the lead and won`t tell your dad but you will need to someday."
"Someday?"
"Yes, someday." Brad insisted.
"Just like someday you're going to tell papa that it was you who crashed his new ship last year at Yuletide and not a young Elite."
"Hey! We swore that it would our little secret!"
Jia snickered as she was then led to her seat before her Uncle bowed and left to go to his seat. She could see other nobles were there and sitting patiently. They all looked excited and happy, most of them she guessed were the families of the students. Special invites were sent to the Recruiters of every army in the Fifteen Kingdoms and a special stand was given to them. Her Uncle Brad would be there to get all the information he needed on the young men performing today.
When it was time for Tristan and Dylan to go on, Jia stood and clapped the loudest.
"Go boys! Make me proud!" She yelled.
Tristan and Dylan exchanged amused glances before nodding at her. She clasped her hands and smiled widely. A loud tittering sound made her stop smiling. She turned to see a girl with platinum blonde hair move closer to sit beside her. Her skin the same shade hers and that was all Jia had in common with her cousin Isabella.
"It`s really a shame to see the future Lady of House Norvel screaming like a wild child," Isabella said lightly as she took out her red fan and began fanning herself. Though, Jia didn`t know why considering the fact that that her cousin has a small control of air magic. Her dress was the exact style as hers except that it was strapless, red and she didn`t wear any gloves.
"Isabelle," Jia nodded stiffly at her before sitting and watching the boys begin their demonstration," What are you doing here?"
"Why? For the same reasons as you, of course. "Isabella said as she turned to smile at her white-haired cousin, "To support my dearest cousin Roy,"
Jia almost growled. Calling Roy her dearest cousin was her line and her thing with him.
Instead she coughed lightly," Please refrain from using that phrase, Bella. Lest you want me to electrocute you."
"You can try… but we both know you wouldn`t make a scene at an important event," Isabelle countered with smirk. Jia turned to face her cousin, "You've got manners now and you wouldn`t want to risk grandmother and grandfather`s anger."
"They`ll get over it," Jia stated.
"Correction; they use to be able to get over it when you were eleven but now, dearest Jia. You`ve grown up and must assume responsibility over your titles. "Isabella mocked her before giggling." So enchanting."
"You really are your mother's daughter," Jia stated.
Isabella stopped her giggling and glared at her cousin, "And what do you mean by that?"
"Nothing I wish to share with the likes of you."
Isabelle hummed before turning back to watch the demonstrations. When Dylan and Tristan were done, Mike and Chase came for their demonstrations using psi- spears while Dylan and Tristan stood to the left watching. Finally, when Roy and Cole came out to perform their own demonstrations using Sai`, Jia and Isabella stood and clapped for their male cousin. After that, the entire team performed a group demonstration of their weapons and their skills on their bikes against Squad Six.
It was flawless and amazing to watch as Roy began a Sai demonstration and his race against Squad Six. When she looked up at the Military Stand, she could see that her Uncle Brad was swiping through profiles and pursing his lips.
After all the students had performed, the Headmaster thanked everyone for coming and to congratulate the students for their hard work. He would then meet up with them after the closing ceremony to address them.
Jia stood to go and find her Uncle before he would leave but was stopped when her cousin called out for her. She turned to her expectantly as Isabella gave her what she deemed a sad smile, "Happy early Mother`s Day."
Jia`s eye`s flashed silver as thunder boomed and people shouted. The sky looked clear and there wasn`t any news of a thunderstorm. Roy winced and glanced up at the Noble`s Stand, only to see Jia and Isabelle having a stand-off. He cursed lightly as Chase bumped his shoulder.
"What`s up with your cousin, man?"
"Hopefully nothing," He replied but looked up at the stand and muttered," Just walk away Jia. Walk. Away."
Jia`s jaw tightened and she was so tempted to slap her cousin silly but father`s face flashed in her mind`s eye. Taking a calming deep breath, she nodded at Isabella and stormed out of the stand.
When she finally made her way out to the school`s entrance, she was shocked to see Roy with Tristan and Chase waiting for her. They were all still in their armor and she felt a pang of longing for her home where everything was simply, nobody ever brought up Mother`s Day or messed with her. Where she could only see men in uniform and flying ships.
Roy moved to grasp her upper arms and squeezed gently," I`m glad you walked away."
Jia arched a brow," You saw?"
"Kind of hard to miss when you were both the only Nobles who hadn`t moved from their seats."
"I`m sorry I scared everyone."
"What`d she say to you?"
"You really want to know?"
"Only because it will make you feel better."
Her shoulder`s stiffened and she turned away, "She wished me a Happy Early Mother`s Day."
Roy`s face instantly darkened. Chase`s jaw dropped and Tristan's eyes creased with disbelief.
"That`s dark, man," Tristan muttered.
"That girl was probably sent to the Nether realm when she was a baby," Roy reasoned.
"Are you sure you three are related to each other?" Chase asked as the two nobles turned to him and Tristan.
"The jury`s still out on that on," Jia supplied.
"I`m sorry, "Roy apologized.
Jia patted her cousin`s shoulder and shook her head, "Don't be. It wasn`t your doing. Anyway, I should just head back to school."
Roy cocked his head," You`re not staying back to see him."
"No, I already saw him, he`ll understand."
"Okay, mum and dad are bringing the gremlins to come tomorrow to see me, you want to hang out with us?"
Jia sighed. Roy did that every year but she only went with him if her papa followed but this year things could be different.
"Actually, I made my own plans."
"Really? With who?"
"Me, myself and I. Don`t worry Roy, I can entertain myself for one whole day."
"Okay, if you change your mind though."
Jia nodded before saying her good byes. As she walked away she heard Tristan ask," Who`s he?"
"One of her uncles." Roy answered.
She was about to walk out of the gates when a ship landed a few feet away from her. The door opened to reveal Rose. Her friend looked cool in a hot pink suit pant suit and sunglasses. Looking every bit, the future Technology CEO.
Jia laughed and made her way over, "What are you doing here?!"
"Coming to pick you up," Rose said as she lowered her glasses and smirked, "I was on my back from the City Hall and thought about stopping by here to get you. Wanna go and get pizza for the girls?"
"Sure," Jia replied excitedly as she hurried over. She was about to climb the ship stairs when she heard a call. She turned to see Chase running out to see her.
Chase halted in his tracks when he caught a glimpse of Rose with her arms folded and sunglasses on, "I…umm..."
Jia arched a brow and snickered at the gob smacked Knight, "Yes Chase?"
Chase shook his head to clear his thoughts," Sorry, umm…. I was hoping if you could come to school to test something out for me tomorrow afternoon? When you`re free of course,"
"Sure, I don`t mind being a Guinea pig. Just don`t tell Roy."
Chase nodded and then glanced up at her red-haired friend before waving," Hey Rose."
Rose nodded at him," Hello Chase, nice to see you again."
Chase grinned before he turned and sauntered back to the school entrance. Jia chuckled and pivoted on her heals before climbing up onto the ship. When she sat down and began removing her hair from its bun, Rose pursed her lips and removed her sunglasses.
"So you're close with Chase?" Rose asked quietly.
Jia shook out her hair and ran her fingers through it with a hum of assent. She leaned back and closed her eyes to relax. By then the ship had started to ascend.
"He`s cute, thinking about dating him? "Rose commented.
Blue eye`s flew open and turned to the Techno sorceress.
"Excuse me?"
Rose turned pale and hastily plastered a smile on her face, "Did you hear; Clary wants to perform a dance during the next school Mixer?"
"Rose, we`re not talking about Clary," Jia reminded her.
But her friend refused to say another word and she kept bringing up other topics to distract the white haired teenager. When they reached Pizza Hut, Rose ordered two Monster pizzas and two large sodas while Jia went on to describe Chase to her. Rose feigned indifference and refused to comment though Jia swore she saw interest in her expression.