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Finally, I achieved what I always wanted since I was five years old: To enter the Royale Academy of Elements.
My parents and I celebrated an unusual breakfast when they received a letter from the academy. We also went outside, and had fun around the neighborhood:
We rode a boat under a small bridge, as we travelled along a river that split the roads. The smell of street food was irresistible as we walked along the busy street. It was delicious! And the best of all? I got a tome! Reading it everyday felt amazing! It was like discovering things that seemed totally impossible.
Oh, how I wished that time would slow down. A month passed, and it was time to go to the academy. I did my usual morning routine. Not having a uniform sucked. I always wanted to wear the academy's. Well, a long-sleeve white polo, black pants, and a black ribbon tie should do!
'Oh, I look like a server at a tavern.' Well, it was what it was. I couldn't hold off my excitement, so it didn't matter. Hmm, let's see. What I needed for the day was a backpack, my tome, and the letter. Oh, I almost forgot about my snack, sweet biscuit!
As I went down the stairs, all ready, mom already stood by the door waiting for me. She didn't care about fashion. As usual, she wore her white pyjamas with buttons on.
Despite that, my mom's long silvery blue hair looked to be moist, so she definitely took a bath. We both had the same eye color, but had different shades. Why did mine have to be darker?
Well, that didn't matter, I should give the letter to my mom. It would be safer if it's with her.
"Are you ready, son?" she asked gleefully, as she put the letter in her dimensional-pocket ring. It was as magical every time I saw it.
"Yes!" I replied with joy.
Together with my mom, we walked to get to the academy. It was exhilarating and stressful.
The few coachmen of those public carriages weren't in their right minds! They almost hit us while we crossed the roads. To add to that, vendors from left to right nagged at us, trying to convince us to buy their goods. What a great day it was!
Thankfully, the alluring aroma of street food filled the streets, so it relieved my annoyance. Although, it looked like mom didn't care. She was probably used to this everyday.
Anyways, we finally arrived in Mahusay Street! I could see the gate of the academy, but it was still quite far. Houses did surround us from left and right, but the people in the street were quiet.
As we steadily approached the gate, I could see the golden royal crest in its middle. If I wasn't mistaken, its symbol was an open book that signified the knowledge that the nobility possessed.
The two knights who guarded the gate looked small-- Eek! I changed my mind. They were actually giants! Especially the other knight on my right who was a bowl of beef.
And why were both of them bald? I didn't know that shaving your head was necessary to be a knight-in-shining-armor.
"What business do you have here?" the beefy knight asked. Oh, he was definitely a man with that gravelly voice of his.
It was difficult to tell because they both had identical rugged faces. Eh, it would've been if the other knight on my left didn't look like an hourglass. She was buffed--
Jeez! Why did my mom place her arm around my shoulder? My whole body flinched, and it was humiliating. I waved at them and smiled to show that I wasn't afraid. Did it work? I wouldn't know.
"We are here for the entrance examinations," my mom said.
W-why did she pull me closer to her? I felt more embarrassed, but continued smiling anyways.
"Do you have the letter?" the female knight asked in high-pitch.
"Why of course," my mom replied.
Phew, my mom finally let go of me. My clothes would've been wet if she did it at a later time. She took the letter out from her ring and walked towards the female knight.
"You may enter," the female knight, said after she read the letter.
Upon hearing this, the beefy knight opened the gate.
"Thank you," my mom said gracefully.
"Thank you," I chuckled and waved at them awkwardly.
Birds fluttered, as we stepped inside the wide front garden. A gentle breeze brushed through us, and the trees and plants danced with it. It helped cool me down since I was a little sweaty. The smell of morning dew also reached my nose when I took a long deep breath. It was rejuvenating. The palace was quite far from the gate, so we had to walk a little further.
"Oh wow," the palace was still as elegant and subtle as I remembered it to be. With how light glimmered on its walls and windows, it was, in no doubt, taken care of everyday.
I could see people both young and old gathered around the tall fountain, as we went closer. Memories of when I was five years old ran through me when an old man wearing a monocle approached us in a steadfast manner. He held a welcoming smile, which was slightly hidden in his chin puffs beard.
Hmm, if I could remember correctly...
"Good morning!" he said swiftly.
Ah! It was professor Edengor! Stupefied was what I felt when I first saw him.
The morning light feared and adored him as his clothes were both black and white. His top hat, boots, and his formal black robe were as dark as midnight, while his long-sleeve polo, pants, and gloves were the twinkling stars.
"I presume you're here for the entrance examinations?" he asked, in a stern yet swift manner.
Considering that I was of average height, I was still dazed by how imposing he was. I only saw him once, and that was from a distant view.
"Indeed, sir," my mom replied. She responded instead of me since I stared at professor Edengor.
Upon moving my eyes around the garden and the palace, I couldn't help but think of the friends and knowledge I would gain in the academy.
"And you are..." he asked with a judging look, his eyebrow raised.
Wait... Why did professor Edengor look at my mom judgingly?
"I am Alyssa Morgan, the mother of Kai Morgan, sir," my mom said politely.
"Ah!" he chuckled, as I heard him clear his throat.
Why did he take off his top hat? Oh... he wanted to apologize.
"Pardon me, Mrs. Morgan, all of the children brought their servants with them," he said as he bowed, "so I assumed you're one of them."
He placed his top hat back on his head.
"And you are?" my mom asked in a slightly annoyed voice-- wait, she didn't remember professor Edengor?
"Ahem. I am professor Edegor," he said sternly-- huh, did I hear that right? It wasn't Edengor, but instead, Edegor? Ah...
"The one who signed the letter?" my mom asked.
"I am, indeed, the one who signed the letter," he nodded.
"Huh, I thought everyone here had class, yet the head professor doesn't have it himself," my mom scoffed.
It was a misunderstanding, mom!
"I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding, Mrs. Morgan," professor Edegor said sternly, "I can assure you that skill and excellence is the priority of our academy."
"I shall let this slide just this once. I would rather have my son study in a place without discrimination than here if I see this kind of behavior one more time," my mom uttered.
She knew it was my dream to study here, so why was she provoking the head professor!?
"Understood, Mrs. Morgan," Professor Edegor nodded.
Phew, it's good that he understood my mom.
"And don't just assume things about someone before you get to know them," my mom said.
"I will take that to heart, Mrs. Morgan," professor Edegor said softly.
Finally, the misunderstanding calmed down.
"Well then, it is a pleasure to finally meet the mother of this exemplary child," he eagerly said, and extended his hand to my mother.
"The pleasure would've been mine if my first impression of you was different," my mom replied, and shook hands with professor Edegor.
My heart almost burst out with all of the attacks that my mom uttered.
"Now, shall we greet the others?"
Finally!
"Let's go, son," my mom said softly.
While holding my mother's hand, professor Edegor introduced us as we came close to the fountain.
I could hear the trickles of the water flowing down. Other children who looked to be the same age as me chatted. Some were together with a person who wore gauche clothes. Professor Edegor clapped his hands, but he wasn't able to get the attention of everyone.
"May I have the attention of everyone?" he asked loudly.
My eyes twitched, and I reflexively covered my ears. Everyone stopped talking and turned their attention towards professor Edegor.
"Young lords, and their respective servants," he said sternly. "I would like for you to meet Kai Morgan, and his mother, Mrs. Alyssa Morgan."
"Yeah?" a boy with a plummy voice scoffed. "Who comes into school with their parent?"
I glanced at everyone, wondering who the brat that had a plummy voice was. A disagreeable-looking boy the same age as me smiled impishly as he sat and leaned casually on a wooden bench.
He dressed extravagantly as he wore a watch that only the rich or nobles could wear. Despite looking like he was about to poop his pants, he was clean. He had narrow eyes, while his well-kept globe tried to escape his large polo.
"Someone who's well-loved and taken care of by his parents himself, young lord," I said and bowed my head, as I emphasized on the word, 'parents'.
I assumed that his servants were the ones taking care of him and not his rich parents.
Oh boy. I couldn't hold my laughter when his eyes twitched, ready to hit me in the face. The others giggled as well.
"Y-you!" He exclaimed.
Professor Edegor cleared his throat before the brat was able to do anything.
"Seeing that everyone is here already, let us now go inside," he said loudly.
Everyone walked inside as I heard them heave a sigh of relief. Just how early were they to have waited for us this long?