They say that 'ignorance is a bliss' in which I definitely agree. The more you know the more this knowledge burdens you. This is probably one of the reasons children can smile and laugh without worry. Meanwhile, people that comes with age smile and laugh less. It's indeed a burden. This knowledge of things always kept me awake at night. It makes me wonder with so many what ifs of my life. It reminds me of transformative praxis on which Freire explained that an individual through reflection and action has the ability to transform the world. He also emphasized that when an individual is truly educated, that person will reflect on the world he or she lives in. Hence, in the society that we live in knowledge is a powerful an individual can possess. Many people sought for it, spent years to attain certain education, create inventions through it, make money through and from it, certainly, knowledge is power. Specially on the situation that I am right now. Knowledge of this place, of my identity, of this situation is definitely a luxury.
The source of the soft voice came in. "Young master, the lord and everyone awaits you at the dinning hall." I stared directly at her but to no avail she keeps her head bow. Guessing on the clothes she is wearing, she is probably a maid.
"Is that so?" She still kept her head lowered.
"I will be there in a minute."
She bowed again and was about to leave when I asked her, "What is your name?"
Our eyes met. An ordinary face. Well, I guess she looked shocked. And without hesitation, she lowered her again, "It's Marina, Young master"
"I see." I mumbled. "Then, Marina what should I wear?" This time she did not lower her head. "Would you like me to call Sir Hans, Young master?"
Hans. Another name. Is he the one assigned to the clothes I wear? How about Marina? Is she my personal maid?
"Are you my personal maid?" Her eyes bulged, a passing emotions painted her face. "Yes, Young Master." Despite of being confused she still answered.
"How about Hans?"
"Sir Hans is the butler."
"I see. Then call Sir Hans."
Once again she bowed her head, "I received your command." She left. Afterwards, I heard a knock. "Young Master Isid, do you need some assistance?"
Isid. The voice from the other side called me Isid. An unknown name, never heard and read this name.
"Yes."
The door opened, a middle-aged man wearing a black clean suit bowed. His hair is gray while Marina's hair is black.
"I hear from Marina that you require assistance in your clothing?"
I nodded.
Sir Hans smiled. "Would you like to take a bath first?"
That's tempting, "But do I have a luxury to take a bath at this moment?" Taken aback with my answer, Sir Hans answered, "Yes, Young Master."
I guess it's not bad. Upon agreeing with the butler's suggestion three maids entered the room and assisted me toward the bathroom which is connected to my room. A bright and large bathroom greeted me, my whole house in my past life has the same size with this bathroom. As the maid about to remove my clothes, I stopped them. Having someone else remove my clothes is awkward.
"I can do it on my own. You may leave the room. Thank you."
They hesitated at first but still complied. The three maids bowed and left the room.
Unhurriedly, I removed my clothes and let myself be submurged with the cold water. It's cold. And this is really happening. Suprisingly, I am calm. Probably because I am dreaming for something like this to happen in my mundane life. Finding myself in a strange surrounding, not knowing my identity or anything about this whole situation is really worrying. How much time and days do I have to spend here in this place? I groaned and just focused myself in taking my bath.
It took me a minute to finish as if he's a psychic Sir Han's voiced welcomed my ears, "Do you need assistance in putting on your clothes?"
Without hesitation I answered, "No. Just give me my clothes, I'll wear them."
Sir Hans entered the room and left some clothes on the table. I dry myself and wear my clothes. This looks fancy. Isid's family is really rich, I guess. I went outside and the three maids assisted me from my hair and accessories to be decorated in my clothes. After a satisfied look the three maids bowed their heads.
"Let me escort you in the dining hall, young master" I nodded at Hans.
We left Isid's room. The walk to dinning hall is long and so I took my time observing my surroundings. The hall is a beauty, from the curtains, the decorations and ornaments, the floor. People who saw us bowed their heads and greeted us. Afterwards we arrived at the dinning hall.
"Young master Isid is here." Hans the butler announced and the door opened. The butler bowed and did not attempt to even step inside the dinning hall. It's huge and fancy.
"Isid, my son" I stopped my self from flinching as soon as a deep and cold baritone voice filled the whole hall. Silver hair and blue eyes, his whole presence speaks authority and power. He is seated at the end of the table. He must be Isid's father and the lord of this house. I bowed and greeted him.
"Father." I heard someone gasped so I looked up and saw a boy seated beside a man both of them with silver hair holding his mouth. Beside Isid's father is a woman with a blonde hair and brown eyes wearing an elegant deep green dress decorated with peridot. Our eyes met. I looked away. I have never seen someone as beautiful as her. She looks like a goddess, someone out of magical or fantasy novel.
"You do not have to be formal, Sid. Why don't you take your seat?" I nodded and took my seat beside the boy who gasped a while ago. He stared at me with so much confusion. The man beside him gave me the same look. I glanced to the goddess's side who also wear the same look. Father coughed and smiled, "How are you, Sid?"
"I have been well, Father." He seem taken aback with my response but nodded. "That is good to hear. Why don't we start eating?"
Everyone started eating. "How was his highness?" Father asked with the man beside him.
"His highness is doing fine. He is alse preparing for the academy." the man who looked similar with father answered.
"Right. It's almost Spring, Ashish" the goddess spoke. And just like her appearance her voice is soft and heavenly. Suddenly, my mind went blank.
"Isid." I stopped eating when the man named Ashish called Isid's name. I stared at him and opened my mouth, "Ashish" the wind blew and my heart started to beat loudly that it feels like everyone will hear the beating of my heart. I will not forget. For how many years in teaching, I am someone who will never forget names. I know that name, Ashish. I was struck by a thunder, memories from his name came rushing to my mind.
Ashish is a name of one of the main characters in the novel, "Mageia Academy" a story of commoner with tremendous power and ability in using Fire and water attribute and became a hero after helping the Prince and the army in killing the demon lord who terrorises the whole kingdom of Alka. The main events of the story took place in Mageia Academy who specialises in training the young and aspiring students to be a warrior and magician and become a hero of Alka Kingdom. Ashish is someone who will support the Hero and the kingdom.
"Isid, are you listening?" I came back to the present when Ashish called Isid's name. Isid, he was never mentioned in the story. I am not someone that this story needs to exist.
"Did you already prepare for the academy? You will leave next week for the test. I won't be able to go with you. I'll be assisting his highness."
Wait. Did I heard that correctly? "What?" I asked. "Me? In the academy?"
Ashish sighed. "That is what you desire, right? To attend the academy? Father said that he will give you a chance to attend the academy as long as you pass the examination."
"I warned you, Sid. You are someone who do not have any ability. The examination is given to everyone fair and square. Despite knowing this you begged and still wanted to attend. I, your Father, allow you to take part in. I commend your courage. No matter what the result, I will still be proud of you."
After that I don't know what happened over the breakfast. I just find myself again in my room. Hans the butler assited me and I just followed him.
Isid is someone who doesn't have a talent in any attribute. I am that Isid. How will I survive in this place full of people with attributes? Additionally, the Mageia Academy entrance exam.
I groaned. Isid, what are you thinking? Why are you making everything so difficult?