Gazing at the majestic building, Lloyd and Vanze were entranced by the strange beauty it radiated.
Siori smiled at their reaction, everyone who first saw the Academy will also have the same expression. He didn't urge or bother them and waited for the two to snap out of their enrapture.
While waiting, he saw from a corner of his eye two figures walking towards them. Looking closely, it was a mother and daughter pair.
The mother wore a lilac-blue dress with lapis colored feathers, long black hair, a high slit on the left side that showed her beautiful white thigh, fox-like eyes, and a charming smile was hanging on her face. She was holding a young girl at the same age as Lloyd and Vanze, she had rare violet eyes, cascading black hair that reached her waist, she wore a simple blue dress with a crown embroidered on her left chest, and she was also dazzled by the majesty of the Academy building.
"Mrs. Aqeur, Young Lady Silva, nice to see you on this fine morning." Siori greeted the pair politely and bowed a little to them.
"Sir Siori, don't be so formal. We have known each other for a long time now, please drop the formalities." Mrs. Aquer giggled a little as she watched the proud tiger of the Academy bow his head.
Scratching his head in embarrassment, he didn't know how to respond to that and Mrs. Aquer saw that.
"Sigh, you are as stiff as ever even when you have known me for a long time. Oh, how sad." Mrs. Squer sighed which made Siori fidget and he tried to say something but words got caught in his throat and finally just went silent.
Seeing this, Mrs. Squer quickly changed the subject.
"Who are those two little cuties?" She asked curiously.
He regained his confidence a bit when she asked about Lloyd and Vanze.
"The two geniuses of Church Alia. They were recommended by Saint Telia a year ago, I tested them and I can only say that they will and surely be the best paladins, surpassing even Sir Fedrick." Siori spoke with utmost certainty in his tone that it made Mrs. Aquer doubt her hearing.
"Are you sure? How can you say so?" She inquired seriously.
"That boy on the right with short raven hair and wears glasses is Vanze, he has memorized every book in every library the city has to offer except the Academy's Library and Royal Library. On his left, with shoulder-length hair is Lloyd, a Spell genius who learned Shield of Light in a mere year and can use the basic power of Protective Cover. He has also started learning Fortress of God, to say that they aren't going to surpass Sir Fedrick is downgrading their vast potential." He spoke with utmost excitement that it turned his face a little red causing Mrs. Aquer to chuckle a little.
Siori looked like a child showing off to his parent which was quite adorable and weird considering he is a big fellow.
Turning her eyes on her daughter, Silva, she tugged her arm a little which made Silva wake up from her entrapped state.
Looking confused, she gazed at her mother with inquiry visible in her expression.
"How about you say hello to the two over there? They are from the Church of Alia, so they are well disciplined and kind." Mrs. Aquer encouraged her to talk to Vanze and Lloyd.
Hesitating for a second, she nodded and ran towards their location.
Watching her run off, Siori spoke gently.
"Is she still afraid?"
"She's getting better, I can say that much. The Devil's Curse, Witches Laugh, and Acrylic Seal is suppressing that thing quite well. As a mother, I hope she can make friends as she grew, being locked up in a room 24/7 is not a good way to solve a difficult problem." Mrs. Aquer replied lightly, eyes tender, filled with motherly love for her daughter.
"Sigh, I hope Lloyd will help her conquer the demon inside her." Siori accidentally let a secret out of his mouth careless which made him freeze.
"My intelligence source is faster than yours but it is highly improbable, Lloyd and his demon came to an agreement when they were young but my daughter's demon is mature and smart. All I can do is help her get a normal childhood, no matter the cost." Voice firm as steel, her determination, and love for her child knows no bounds.
"If I could, I would have ripped that demon out of her when it first attached to her but sadly I wasn't proficient in the Soul Arts." She sighed in regret, sadness emerged from her eyes as she remembered the past but hurriedly suppressed them.
Siori was silent, he can't do anything but let her vent frustration inside her heart.
...
Step Step Step Step Step
Hurried footsteps sounded behind them which made Vanze and Lloyd break out from their stupor. Turning around, they saw Silva running towards them.
"You know her, Vanze?" Lloyd whispered.
"No clue, she's pretty though," Vanze replied.
"I guess so."
Silva arrived in front of the two, her eyes focused on Lloyd intently. Feeling embarrassed being stared at by a girl, he coughed a little and introduced himself.
"Ahem! Nice to meet you, I'm Lloyd, Lloyd Vlad."
"I am Vanze, Vanze Vlad." Vanze followed suit.
Silva pondered for a few seconds before introducing herself as well.
"Hello, I am Silva, Silva Aurora. Nice to meet you." She performed a curtsy to greet them.
"Are you attending this school too?" Lloyd followed up with a question.
"Hm...yes, I will be attending to make new friends as my mother advice." Silva pouted a little when she remembered how she was forced out of her bed.
"Well, we can be your first friends, how does that sound?" Lloyd offered to which Vanze nodded as well.
"Really?" Silva's countenance brightened considerably as she heard Lloyd's offer.
"Why not, what do you specialize in? Spells? Runes? Fighting?" Lloyd inquired.
Thinking for a second, she spoke "Dark Arts and Soul Arts."
Vanze froze, cold sweat formed on his forehead while Lloyd rubbed his head with a confused expression.
"Sounds cool, have you eaten yet?" Lloyd casually switched to another topic which to his surprise, Silva shook her head.
"No, my mom and I rushed to the academy to settle everything for my registration."
"Well..." Lloyd reached out to his small pouch that he put inside his pocket, opened it, and took out one baked sweet potato.
"Here, this should fill you up, don't eat too fast or you will get a heartburn." He warned her a little before giving the sweet potato to her.
It was still warm, it smelled quite sweet and fragrant. She then opened her mouth and bit into the sweet potato.
Soft, a little salty, sweet, and savory. It tasted really good and this made her take another bite and another and another...
Cough! Cough!
Silva got a heartburn, expecting this, Lloyd pulled out a bottle of milk and gave it to her. Receiving the bottle, she drank the milk quickly and the heartburn slowly went away.
Hah!
"Thanks, it tasted good, can I have some more?" Silva stared at Lloyd with big dewy eyes making him feel compelled to do so, he took out another sweet potato, and she took it and ate in relish.
Learning from her mistake, she slowly ate the sweet potato.
'Hmmm...I wonder where are we going to stay? I know it's inside the Academy but there aren't any cottages, small houses, or buildings that could house us.' Mythl muttered.
Vanze was still frozen in place while Lloyd was surveying the area whilst watching Silva eat the sweet potato just in case she gets another heartburn.
Step Step Step...
"Okay, kids, time to go to your new home for 8 years or so. It only takes 5 steps and a jump to get there!" Siori's voice boomed behind him beside him was Mrs. Aquer who had a gentle smile on her lips.
Vanze broke out from his fear, Silva turned around with sweet potato crumbs on her cheeks, Lloyd smiled kindly and wiped the crumbs away.
"Thanks, can I get more milk?" Silva smiled brightly.
"Sure, here." He gave her another bottle while taking the empty bottle and putting it inside his pouch.
Siori was speechless, he was being ignored entirely by the two kids in front of him. Mrs. Aquer giggled at the scene.
"Pay attention, you two." Siori could only reprimand them gently as one is favored by a Saint and another is the daughter of a friend.
"Yeah." "Sorry."
Vanze gazed weirdly at Lloyd, making Lloyd ask a question.
"What is it? Is there something wrong with my face?" Lloyd pulled out a small mirror and looked closely at his face which shocked Siori, Silva, and Mrs. Aquer.
Vanze was speechless again.
"Lloyd, why do you always carry a mirror? I know it's normal when we were at the church but come on..."
"Because I am handsome and narcissistic. If you have my beauty, you would also bring a mirror to admire yourself." Lloyd retorted casually as he put the small mirror back.
'Hmmm...I guess this also coincides with the Goddess's law, Beauty.' Mythl thought as he gazed at the dumbfounded trio.
'And where did he learn the word narcissistic? Oh, wait...I think it was at that time when he heard me say that to a rich person 3 years ago. Still doesn't explain why he became one though...eh, like it matters to me.' Mythl just sighed and continued listening and watching.
"Ahem! Okay, let's get going. The first step here, second there, third here, fourth there, and last here. Ready yourself." Siori warned solemnly as the ground sparked with white lightning.
"When I say jump, jump, okay?"
They nodded. The white lightning grew brighter and brighter, which would cause someone to go blind if they stared long enough at it.
"JUMP!"
They jumped without hesitation causing a blinding light to consume them to which they disappeared afterward.
...
Crown Academy, Housing Area
Beautiful violet sky, birds chirping, and liveliness of cheers could be heard all over the Housing Area. Rows of four-story houses could be seen as far as the eye could see, this was incredibly shocking to Vanze, Lloyd, Silva, and Mythl.
'So modern.' He thought to himself.
"Welcome to the Crown Academy's Housing Area! You three will be living here for quite a while. I already registered Vanze and Lloyd's house, Silva still needs to register for a house." Siori led Silva and Mrs. Aquer to register Silva's house while Vanze and Lloyd waited.
'Tsk, irresponsible. Leaving behind two kids without parent or guardian supervision.' Clicking his tongue, he looked around and saw 2 guys walking towards them.
'Trouble comes immediately...sigh, adults are dense sometimes.' Mythl took over Lloyd's body.
The previous cheerful and kind eyes dimmed, dulled to a certain extent. The gentle smile turned false and gray. The sincere feeling he gave off disappeared, what replaced it was desolation and loneliness.
"Hoho, freshmen. Where are your parents?" A bulky man spoke, eyes fierce and sharp, muscles bulged and veins convulsed as he moved.
"Tsk, why do I need to answer? Are you my guardian?" Mythl spoke, his tone carried annoyance.
His dull eyes stared at him lazily causing veins to pop from his forehead.
"Punk! Let me teach you a lesson to always respect your elders!" The man reached out to grab Mythl's arm, intending to lift him and throw him into the air.
HAH!
...
Mythl stared at his eyes, the man felt a horrifying strength holding onto his arm. The tiny hands of a child gripped his muscles tightly, his muscles were crushed, blood dripped slowly onto the ground.
"Bullying a child...a dark world we live in." Leaving those words, he kicked his crotch. The man tried to dodge but he was held tightly and received a pain that every man fears.
CRACK!
Along with agonizing pain, his crown jewels shattered too. The person behind the bulky man was already shivering from the very start, he wet himself when he heard the cracking noise.
His brows knitted as he smelled the awful stench of urine, he covered his nose and distances himself. Vanze also followed.
The bulky man was screaming a silent shriek, he held his crotch tightly, he wished that the pain ended, he wished to die. He was sent into a shock that will forever scar him if he survives, if he doesn't then at least he will feel no more.
"Tsk, no matter what world, bullying is still everywhere," Mythl muttered while clicking his tongue.
'Reminds me of my previous home. I always got bullied for being the weird kid, so I fought back, broke arms, legs, and learned how to be cruel and cold. My entire neighborhood feared me for being unstable but the officials couldn't do anything about me because it was out of self-defense. If it was like my previous life's situation, I will make myself at home then.' Mythl looked coldly at the man, scoffed at him before letting Lloyd take over.
[10 experience has been obtained!]
[Experience can be used to hasten the training and learning process of Spells, Techniques, Innate Talents, and other works that enhances both knowledge and strength. 1 experience is equal to 1 minute accelerated.]
'Surprising but is welcome. I guess fighting will give me more experience.' Mythl thought of using this new experience thing to accelerate his Swordsmanship training.
'Or I can learn how to cook...I always wanted to learn how to cook. It is decided, I will learn how to cook.' Mythl set this as his goal and a strange prompt appeared.
[Goals!
1. Learn how to cook!]
'That's handy.' As he was occupied with the new prompt, Silva, Siori, and Mrs. Aquer came back who stared at the scene with confused expressions.
"Uh...can anyone tell me what happened?" Siori asked but he turned towards Vanze.
Vanze had a pale expression but he still explained what happened. Mrs. Aquer narrowed her eyes, Silva's violet orbs glowed brightly.
Lloyd was looking at the bulky man who was crying silently in agony, hesitating for a moment, he used Heal.
A green glow covered his hand, the glow floated away from his fingers and entered the bulky man's body. The pain slowly disappeared, the broken jewels repaired gradually, the broken muscles and tissues squirmed and formed new flesh.
He was healed, the pain came suddenly and relief also swooped his body. After receiving comfort, his body shut down from the sudden overwhelming pain to sudden comfort.
Thud!
The bulky man fell faced flat on the ground. Lloyd was startled but stayed away, the awful stench of urine was still pungent and the man's face was soaking in the puddle of pee.
"Uh...hmmm..." Lloyd hesitated for a while before deciding not to help, so he just stayed where he was. On the other hand, Siori and Mrs. Aquer thought to themselves.
'What a cruel boy, causing immense pain and giving comfort. If he uses this for torture...' They couldn't imagine the psychological and physiological scarring the person would experience.
Silva ran up to Lloyd and pulled the corner of his clothes with a bright smile on her face, she asked hurriedly.
"Can you teach me how to use Heal?"
"Eh? Why? It's quite difficult for anyone to learn Heal if they aren't blessed by a God." Puzzlement was evident in his expression, he wondered why she wanted to learn Heal.
"Because I learned something from you today if I beat up people in the future and they get sad I will use Heal on them to lighten them up. Like what you did to that man." Silva pointed innocently at the passed-out man.
Vanze and Lloyd were dumbfounded.
'MYTHL! YOU TAINTED AN INNOCENT INDIVIDUAL!' Lloyd screamed in anger and exasperation.
'Stop yelling every goddamn minute, jeez. Blame yourself for healing that person, I only beat him up and you use Heal to relieve him of pain. So don't point your finger at me and say this is all my fault, you take half the blame too.' Mythl retorted, he put half of the blame on Lloyd.
To a certain extent, Lloyd will take some blame but Mythl exaggerated it and increased it by four times.
On the side, Mrs. Aquer had a strange expression.
"Is my daughter gonna follow in the footsteps of healing and beating people up? If she does this, will she be willing to go out now without me forcing her? Hmmm, yes, this is a better outcome." She muttered silently, the thought of her daughter going out more out weighted the consequences that will happen in the future.
Siori and Vanze felt like the normal ones with a still-functioning mind.
"I worry for the students who will provoke with Lloyd and Silva," Vanze spoke gently, his hands covering his face.
"I should report and warn the principal about this." Siori took note of this situation.
...
Author's Note: Hello 👀👋, I am late once again because school just started and got very busy. Well, here's a chapter for you, it's a bit long to compensate for my absence. I'll be leaving now, bye 👋