•Elia
"You could have magi-" Lita exclaims immediately I step into the room but pauses, giving me a once-over. "Why're you wrapped in a blanket? Why's your hair wet? What happened?"
"I'm going to go change first. I'll tell you everything right after." I move past her, heading straight into the closet.
I am not really fazed when I see the interior. I expected it to be huge and spacious, and it is. It's just a little bit bigger than I imagined it to be. And of course, has velvet red walls.
Most of the clothes here are gowns and dresses, which is pretty disappointing.
I find a rack stand of only nightdresses of fairly the same pattern and satin fabric, but different lengths and colors. The baby pink one, which has white translucent flower patterns, catches my eye.
When I try it on, it stops at ankle length, and I notice it has a really thin strap and a v-shaped neckline, which shows more cleavage than I'm comfortable with. But it's a nightdress, so it really doesn't matter.
As comfortable as it is, it's a little bit loose-
I gasp when the size of the dress suddenly adjusts to my size.
Magic, huh?
I grab the matching kimono jacket from the rack, before exiting.
•••
"So, you're telling me you just witnessed an indoor storm? That sounds amazing!" Lita's eyes sparkle as she squeals loudly.
"I almost died."
"Not amazing."
"Anyways, isn't it weird that Ella ran all the way to another dimension, just because she didn't want to marry the king?" She asks.
"There is obviously more to the story, I just… haven't read it yet." I sigh, looking at the journals I arranged on the little table next to the bed.
There's so much I do not know, and it's killing me.
"Speaking of reading," I start, "ACA starts a new session tomorrow."
She stares at me blankly, like she's waiting for me to say more.
"If we don't join this session, we have to wait till next year," I add. Her eyes widen.
"You don't mean…" She pauses.
"We're going there tomorrow." I say, answering whatever she was about to ask.
"Just like that? What about the AET? Don't we have to pass that first?"
"A new system was introduced a few years after my mom left. You can pick between writing the AET, or having a face-to-face interview with the heads of the school," I explain. "In most cases, the AET is the better option. But in ours, the interview is our only option. Unless we wait another year." I shrug.
"Waiting another year isn't an option. I think we have to find the killer before he finds you." Lita says in a serious tone.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, apart from the fact that you look so much like Ella, you're also her daughter. If I was the killer, I'd try to get rid of you too. That's probably why your dad was so paranoid." She replies.
My breath catches.
"Ha," I laugh breathily, before resting my back slowly on the headboard. "I'm famous, aren't I?"
Making a joke of my dire situation? That what Lita does. Although, it doesn't really help.
I hadn't thought about it deeply yet. My mom was the most powerful, I guess. This would mean that she had a lot of enemies, who, out of all of them, was the person that killed her.
"I didn't mean to frighten you." Lita rests her back on the headboard as well.
"I know, and I'm not frightened. Just a little scared."
"Same thing." She retorts.
We both stare at the wall in silence for a few seconds after that.
"So, we're going back to school," I say, breaking the silence.
"If we pass the interview," she replies. "By the way, any hints on what questions we'd be asked?"
"Leon said he would tell us on the way there, tomorrow morning," I answer. "But…" I turn my gaze to the journals. So does Lita.
And before we know it, we're both engrossed—Lita, in one of her novels, and I, in her journals.
•••
"Hehehehe"
The sounds of muffled laughter wakes me up. When did I fall aslee-
I scream loudly when I see a tiny pixie-looking creature on my chest.
It screams as well when I abruptly sit up, but then it starts laughing, before running off towards the window, along with its fellow tiny friends.
"Why so much noise so *yawn* early." Lita says, sitting up while stretching, but freezes when she looks at the window. "What the-"
The creatures simultaneously stick their tongues out, before all jumping out the window.
"I just saw real life sprites! I should have taken a picture!" She exclaims, making me turn my head towards her in disbelief, but what I see surprises me even more.
I open my mouth in shock, before bursting out in laughter.
"What's so funny?" Her brows furrow.
"Your.. hair," I say between laughs.
She quickly runs to the mirror, and when she sees herself, she shrieks. Then she laughs.
"I'm not even mad. This is comedy gold." She smiles, before walking over to her bag and pulling out her phone, then taking a picture of herself doing the peace sign.
"Remember when I told you I'd still look pretty even if there were sticks and leaves in my hair, and it looks like a wild animal's hangout?" She turns to me.
"No." I answer
"Well I'm saying it now."
"Right. You obviously don't even need my help fixing it," I tease.
"Please, I do need your help." Her smile fades into a pouty face, causing me to laugh.
"Go take a shower, I'll clean up the bed in the meantime." I stand up from the bed.
•••
After Lita comes out of the bathroom, I sit her down in front of the mirror, so I can help fix up her hair. She already removed the twigs and leaves, but it still looks… messed up. Those sprites are real troublemakers.
"Now we have to get a hair brush?" I ponder.
"There's two in my bag. Just pick anyone." She answers, and I give her a questioning look. "When you have curly hair that constantly plays tricks on you, you learn to never leave the house without a brush, or two," she explains.
I'm actually glad I don't have to worry about using a magical hair brush.
After I help Lita to fix up her hair, I braid it into four parted stitch cornrows, leaving the unbraided ends to fall just a little past her shoulders.
I remember doing this for her back in our high-school toilets, after someone played a dirty prank on her. That time we first met-
"You good?" Lita snaps her fingers at me. I didn't even notice when she stood up. "You didn't answer when I called your name."
"I'm good, it's nothing. I'm going to take a bath." I flash her a fake smile, before entering the bathroom.
You have got to be kidding me.
"LITAAA"
•••
"I can't believe you used a whole hour in there," Lita says.
We're both walking hurriedly down the palace hallways, with Leon. Apparently, we might show up late.
"I had no idea the bathroom was going to transport me to a place that looks like the Kuang si falls." I retort.
"It didn't transport you anywhere, that's the bathroom. And that place looks way cooler than the Kuang si falls." She counters.
"If you both can quiet down a little, that would be highly appreciated." Leon says walking past us, and we stop talking right until we get into the carriage.
"Did you find anything that could be of help?" Lita asks, referring to the journals and today's interview.
"We have to give a solid reason why we want to attend ACA. That can't be hard, I think," I answer. The carriage starts moving.
Through out the ride, Leon gives us pointers on what and what not to say.
"And if they look intimidating, don't let it fool you. They are certainly much more intimidating than they look-" He pauses to look out the window. "We are at Alpha-Centori. We'll be reaching the school soon." He informs us.
"Huh? Isn't Alpha-Centori the school?" I question.
"Alpha-Centori academy is the school. Alpha-Centori is a municipality. One that is within the kingdom, but serving as a border between Anodohra and Endria."
That's a whole lot of information. What's Endria?
"Endria?" Lita says in a confused tone.
"I will elaborate further after your interview. It seems we might make it in time." He says, looking out the window.
Last time I was in a carriage, there weren't any windows, and I couldn't get a view of the surroundings. But now, I can.
When I look out the window , it dawns on me that if I wanted to do that, I should have done so when the journey had just began. Not at the end. Because now, all I see are weeping willow trees placed on either side of the road, and a massive Black gate up ahead.
"I guess we're here." I sigh in half disappointment.
"Didn't get to enjoy the scene, did we?" Lita says with a sad look.
I nod in a similar sad look. But it is soon replaced with an awe-struck one when we step out of the carriage.
I'm greeted by the calm wind on my skin and the beautiful scenery. A beautiful scenery of trees and buildings.
Most of the buildings are either grey, brown or black.
I'm starting to think this is dark academia
The only one that is a dark color, is a spherical shaped building that looks like a glass globe.
When I notice the large fountain ahead, the sound of rushing water finally makes sense to me.
"No. Freaking. Way!" Lita's amazed voice pulls me out of the trance. She is looking up, and I decide to follow her line of sight.
No freaking way indeed!
"Flying horses!" She squeals.
"Pegasuses," I correct.
"Pegasi," she counters.
I turn to her in bewilderment.
"Pegasuses." I retort.
"Pegasi," she says, turning her gaze to me.
We both turn to Leon at the same time, giving him an expectant look, but he just strides ahead.
"Beautiful, right? We refer to them as the protector's creatures. We are the only ones that ride them." He says, ignoring our childish banter, while moving at a pace that almost makes it hard to catch up with him.
He stops walking abruptly. "This is where the interview takes place. When you step in, you'll find a door to your left. There you are going to get a number and directions. I'll be here to pick you up around five, but if anything happens, give me a call." He takes out two rings from his pocket, and gives it to us.
"My contact is the only one there at the moment. Just tap on my name, and I'll get here as fast as I can." He smiles warmly, then salutes informally with two fingers, before turning around and leaving.
"Is he always busy?" Lita asks.
"He's the Enforcer. Pretty sure he has a lot on his hands," I answer.
The building is even more beautiful on the inside. At least the walls are white, with different paintings adorning them.
I look around, until I notice the door Leon mentioned earlier.
After we both get our numbers, we begin heading in the way we were directed.
"Lita, I'm going to need you to choose the preservers." I say.
I've been thinking about the districts ever since I read it in mom's journals. The protectors district is the dangerous side of ACA, but that's what mom chose. And that's what we agreed to choose.
But if it's really as dangerous as mom mentioned, then I don't want Lita anywhere near it.
"Why?" She questions.
"It's safer," I answer without hesitation.
She stops walking abruptly and faces me.
"I'm going to ask again… why?" She takes on a serious tone.
"I need you to be safe, Lita." I give her the same answer.
She takes in a deep breath. "Lia, I understand that you're worried about me. I also worry about you. But, you know it probably wouldn't help much if I choose the preservers. You also know I'm not letting you do everything alone.
"This is a journey that I started with you the moment we both disobediently went into that library together, and I don't plan on sending you off on your own so soon. So please, promise me we do this together."
I want to say no. I really do.
"How convincing," I sigh.
"Fine. I promise."
She nods, before we continue walking ahead.
"Does this also have something to do with riding Pegasuses?"
"Pegasi." She grins.
When we reach a certain point, we head in different directions because were given different numbers.
Now I just have to find a door with the number 100 on it.
One hundred… A number of people must have come for the interview.
Oh, here it is. Number 100.
When I enter inside, my anxiety drops by to say hi, and potentially stay as well.
This place isn't illuminated by flowers, like the other office and the hallways. Instead, a single massive chandelier of candles hangs from the ceiling in the center of the room.
A man gestures to the seat in front of them, and I take it.
And if they look intimidating, don't be fooled. They are much more intimidating than they look.
Leon's words ring in my head.
What's more intimidating than this scene? I'm seating on a simple wooden seat that's inches from them, while they are seated behind an elongated table that is placed on a high platform.
I feel like I'm in court, on trial.
But the difference is, there are only three people in here—Me, a dark-skinned probably late twenties young man, and a dark-haired woman that looks like she's older than the man.
"Your name." The woman says.
Don't stutter
Don't stutter
Do not stutter
"E-Elia Richwood."
So much for not stuttering.
After that, they throw some questions at me, somewhat in the AET format, avoiding anything relating to history of magic or Anodohra. I manage to answer all the questions… doesn't mean they were all correct.
"Before we move on to the last question, I have something to ask. Personally," The woman says.
"Are you perhaps, Ella kiyoni's twin?" She smiles.
I expected this, I really did.
I shake my head. "Her daughter."
Both their eyes widen, and the woman gasps loudly.
"I see." Her smile widens, but it quickly fades when she gets a look from the man.
"Last question. Why do you want to attend Alpha-Centori Academy?" The man asks.
I take a deep breath, then open my mouth to answer, but no sound comes out.
What did I plan to tell them? The same thing my mom said? That I'm here for freedom? But that's not why. This might not be all that determines if I get accepted or not, but it matters.
Why do I want to attend ACA?
"Your answer, Miss Richwood."
I do know why I'm here, and they might not be glad to hear it. But it might also not matter to them. It shouldn't matter to them.
The only problem is, they determine if I get in, and the acceptance rate isn't really high.
I take in another breath.
"This was the school my mother attended, where she discovered her powers, and herself. I'm here to learn more about her. And why she loved it so much." I finally answer.
"Ella didn't know she would grow so much after attending this academy. She simply took a leap of fate, and that not only led to immense self-discovery. It also led to a newfound zeal she never thought she had." The woman's emerald eyes glints with what I think is interest.
"The same might happen to you."
"You must have known my mom really well…Are we related in some way?" I ask, remembering the conversation I had with Idri. Who knows, anyone could be the next family member I encounter.
The woman simply laughs. "No. But I knew her more than any of her family members."
"All right." The man chides in. "Now that you have given your answer, we have come to a decision."