Four months ago,
It was spring, plants were filled with new blooms and the trees were shredding the flowers like a shower, creating a flower bed on the ground. The fresh fragrance of the blossoms lingered in the air that could soothe the nerves.
A soft breeze with the cheerful chirping of the birds were all needed to put a bright smile on the face of a girl. Her eyes were closed, lifting her head to feel the warm morning sun rays. Her face radiated like a moon under the blazing sun.
A flower fell on her cheek and grazed down her supple skin, causing her to smile widely. She was holding a basket full of flowers in one hand and her sandals in another while standing in a stream of cool water, enjoying every essence of nature.
She was wearing a white dress intricately embroidered with flowers and green leaves. The flared hem of her dress fluttered in the air with her silky hair that looked like burning red flames.
The waist of the dress fitted to her small waist, defining her delicate frame. She looked like a fairy descended on the earth to celebrate the spring and play with the colorful flowers.
Another girl stood at a distance and shook her head in resignation while watching her. She smiled helplessly but complained, "Sister Alora… We will be late to the academy."
Given a chance, she would let her sister enjoy her whole day, soaking under the sun, plucking some flowers, and finding the tastiest berries in the forest.
Alora opened her eyes with a pout of her lips. She always wondered whether she was the elder sister or her younger sister was the elder one.
Her sparkling ruby eyes gleamed like rare gems. She squinted looking directly at the sun. Lowering her head, she blinked, making a sweet sulking face at her younger sister.
Freya Linwood Roosevelt was a tall, slender beauty. Her soft dove gray hair was tied in braids and gathered in a ponytail. Her green hazel eyes watched over Alora helplessly, like a mother who couldn't control her naughty child.
Looks could be deceiving. Freya's appearance never gave justice to how powerful she was. She was the definition of sophistication and toughness. A strong girl in their village and also the academy.
Men admired her but preferred to stay far from her. They say it was hard to please her. But Alora knows, her younger sister was the sweetest one ever. Freya's toughness was only to protect her.
Freya didn't fall for her sister's tricks. They have to pass through the forest to reach the mage academy. She would never leave her elder sister alone there because Alora loves exploring the forest holding her basket full of flowers and fruits.
"Sister, have you forgotten you have to arrange for an annual duel competition?" Freya attempted to take her out of the forest quickly.
Alora recalled her work. She skipped out of the stream. She quickly wore her sandals and joined her little sister.
Both walked on the forest trail while Alora talked cheerfully, speaking of anything and everything. Freya was quiet and a good listener, especially for the lively talks of her sister so she spoke less and heard more.
They passed by thick vines that dangled from most trees, and a variety of flowers, which were scattered sporadically. Crossing that, they arrived in front of a large arch, lettered 'Linwood Mage Academy.'
The gates opened and they entered an enclosed vast land where young men and ladies made everything look energetic and cheerful. Not far away, there were a few places with walls and roofs on two floors.
After some distance, "Sister Alora…" A boy in his early teens called her out as he ran up to her holding a bunch of flowers. "Sister Alora, this is for you." He expectantly looked at her, flashing her the sweetest smile he could ever have.
Alora smiled as she accepted beautiful wild spring flowers, "Thank you, Zeke." She flashed a pretty smile.
The boy grinned as he pointed in a direction, "It wasn't me, Brother Beathan woke up early to find you flowers."
By the end of his words, Freya's eyes narrowed at the young man. Beathen who shyly smiled meeting Alora's gaze, ran away sensing Freya's eyes. He used his magic and disappeared into thin air, causing everyone in the scene to burst into rabid laughter.
Alora tousled Zeke's hair, "Next time, don't tell the name in front of Freya." She wasn't interested in Beathen, she just wanted to save those men from her tyrannical sister.
Freya lifted her brows at Zeke who feared her more than loveable Alora. He awkwardly smiled and ran away. 'Oh lord, I need my bones safe.' He thought.
"Your elder sister will have to die alone." Alora sighed at Freya's protectiveness. It wasn't like she had any complaints.
Freya bluntly responded as they proceeded, "He will be unfit to protect my sister if he can't pass through me." There was confidence in her despite being younger than many out there.
Alora chuckled as she asked, "What to do when my sweet little sister is too strong?" She grinned looking at Freya's anticipating eyes, "I will have to trouble my little sister all her life." She giggled adorably.
Freya: "…"
Everywhere, elders protect the younger ones. But the Linwood Roosevelt siblings were in contrast. Freya watches over her elder sister who fills everyone's life with smiles.
"Alora…" A masculine voice sounded from the side. He was a young man in his early twenties. He was wearing a uniform like Freya and others in the academy. An off-white shirt, paired with brown pants and leather boots provided by the academy.
"Brax." Alora greeted the man with a sinless smile while Freya and Brax exchanged a nod as a greeting.
Alora peeked behind him and found the other three making their way at their leisure. Her eyes curved into crescents when she flashed them a smile.
Edvin, Wayn, and Mirela melted to her smile instantly. "Sister Alora, it's a sin to smile like that." Fifteen years old Wayn complained about changing their moods in an instant.
Mirela chuckled, "Our Alora is just too pretty." She was also in a uniform like others.
"Ahh… Did you guys have too many sweets today?" Alora was pink in embarrassment without knowing how to handle their teases.
Five laughed hearing her. While Wayn and Mirela chuckled heartily, Edvin and Brax restrained their laughter. Freya smiled, without guarding up against the four around her sister.
Freya, Brax, Edvin, Wayne, and Mirela were the five strongest mage students in the Linwood Mage academy.
Whereas Alora possessed no special power, thus she wasn't a student at the academy. Rather, she helped her father and grandfather at the academy by organizing documents, planning the events and classes, and managing the academy. With that, Alora also studied with her grandfather or on her own in the vast library of the academy.
After greetings, a bit of fun, "Principal is waiting for you in the office." Brax relayed the information to Alora.
Everyone saw her lips curl into an 'O' before she started running towards the principal's office, "I will see you all later." She sprinted on her feet.
As soon as Alora reached a good distance, the smiles on the faces of the four turned cold, and reported to Freya, "Second Prince from the Crisal Kingdom is here." Brax stated.
Freya lifted her brows without understanding their seriousness. The Crisal kingdom was facing a sharp decline in the mages. So she wasn't surprised that a prince arrived at their kingdom with some proposal.
Edvin added another piece of news, "He is seeking admission in the academy."
Freya's expression changed. As a princess of Anka, Freya couldn't help but think of her nation and be alert to neighboring provinces, especially when the Crisal kingdom was facing a crisis of mages.
The prince could be there to manipulate the mages and bring them to his country. It could put Anka at great risk.
Mirela scoffed, "And he has challenged us for a duel." The arrogance of the man irritated her.
Challenging five of them? He should be inhuman to win over them.
Freya's lips curled up, her eyes glimmered coldly, "We will send him back to where he came from." She was confident like the other four, and very much prepared to face the prince of Crisal.