Hecatrix Manor, pool area, the Hecatrix had their hearty and special breakfast with all the goodies possible, after all it was a last breakfast before the twins went to Belladona Academy. All were casually dressed, except four of them.
Artemisia and Apollodro were wearing the standard Belladona Academy uniform, a white dress shirt with the Royal Guards crest on the chest, a vest with the same symbol drawn in the center becoming whole when closed, a green blazer emerald and blue tie with green stripes, at the bottom for the boys there was only the option of pants, but for the girls there was the option of pants, a skirt or even the dress version of the uniform, Artemisia wore the skirt, she liked it.
Otrera wore the uniform of master mages; Astarte was wearing her Royal Guard captain's rank uniform, it was a vest like Otrera's, only the tail was much shorter going only to mid-thighs and there was nothing written on it, on the front it was on the side. on the right, the Royal Guard's mark and on the left, its military identification "A. Ishtar", the color was an olive green that matched the tight pants she was wearing.
– I'm excited to be a teacher, years of being trained by Ms. Otrera, I just want to see if I'll be as good as you. – Astarte smiled excitedly.
– Of course dear, you were my best student... And as for you two Artê and Polo, don't think that you will have any privileges, quite the opposite, you will be charged a lot, but much more than any other student, nor the Gallard there will be so much pressure... and Astarte will be a teacher, she will not have favoritism, let's set that be clear... And you, Polo, if your ambition is really to become a medical mage in the Royal Guard, you have my support, but keep in mind that you will be charged like no one else has been. – Otrera said, she wanted to make things clear, and she drank her bitter coffee, that's how she liked to drink it.
– Of course, Auntie, I'm going to try my best, I'm going to rock there, the best medical student at the academy in the next three years. – Apollodro smiled, who seemed more confident, even if he was still a little shy, but he couldn't show insecurity around two such powerful medical mages.
– I'm going to rock, build my name in this next three years... Take care aunt, in some time I won't be the one to be known as Otrera's niece, but the you who will be known as Artemisia Borkov-Hecatrix's aunt. - Smiled the young mage who had genuine and even a little exaggerated confidence.
– That's how you say it, girl. – Hecuba laughed, who high-fived her daughter.
– Why do I think these two will get into trouble? – Tristan thought aloud.
– It's because they will, a lot… Boys, enjoy it, it's going to be the best three years of your lives… I miss you every day. – Helena said. – Speaking of which, Otrera, Aria told me what you did, almost killed Capricornus and Gemini. –
– You almost killed two master mages? Why? – Polo asked scared.
– It was a test, they wanted to see if we hadn't rusted, and Capricornus needed a lesson, she was being very arrogant... It's Teresa, Mom, remember? The one who was captain at the time of the war, she is still bitter with me, Mor and Eddy having been promoted before. – Otrera said as if she hadn't nearly killed a colleague.
– Oh yes, I remembered, whenever I saw her, I knew I knew her from somewhere... But anyway, I think it's about time. – Helena said, showing how little importance she gave to the current Capricornus mage.
– And where's Daedalus? – Asked Hecuba.
- Hmm! Didn't sleep at home... He had some business to run, he must have slept in his apartment on Allhome's Island, that new shelter center for low-income immigrants. – Commented Astarte.
– You guys were pretty close these days, right? – Commented Otrera with a funny look of "I know where it will end", they were very friendly, had a lot of complicity. – Let's go, you two come with us. –
– I thought we would not have privileges. – Commented astute Artemisia.
– If you prefer to go to the Academy by bus, feel free. – Laughed Otrera.
– I'm already taking my bags to the car! – Artemisia said that she realized that the other option was not so comfortable.
– Not to mention that I said they wouldn't have any perks there, I'm just giving it a ride, after all I'm going there too, for the ceremony at the beginning of the school year. – Answered Otrera.
So they got up, said goodbye, the twins hugged their parents and the grandmother with warm and strong hugs.
– My boys, it's time for you to prove your worth and I know you will. – Said the father of the twins.
– At first I didn't want you to follow this path, I knew how dangerous, painful and difficult it was, but I know that you will manage to overcome it all. – Said the mother of the twins.
– Remember, you are Hecatrix, you are from a family that generated several master mages and in the recent period two Grand Mistresses... You were born on a lucky star, make good use of it. – Said the grandmother of the twins hugging them.
So they went, the four headed to Belladona Academy in two cars, in one the four and in the other the twins' luggage that would be taken directly to their dorms, the twins were eager to see what their new life would be like, and in all the way, they asked the aunt and Astarte about their respective experiences at the Academy. The twins were so excited that they forgot to send in their clothes as required on New Year's.
***
Belladona Academy, a college housed on a massive ground on Wisdom Island, was a stunning place that blended modern engineering and design with a bit of the palatial air of 17th-century Celestia.
The main building had a metallic scheme and a very beautiful gray with blue and green as secondary colors, at the entrance a water fountain with the symbol of the Royal Guard in large stone, the main building had a horizontal rectangular structure that looking from above, it had eight open yards and covered areas in the four directions around these yards, it had thirty floors, all worked in metallic and mirrored structures, as well as glass parts, inside it was very well structured with the theoretical classrooms separated into two or three rows of tables for two people with the teacher's desk and whiteboard at the front of the room, state-of-the-art sound and picture system, auditoriums, three cafeterias, student lounge, teacher lounge, some indoor training grounds.
In addition to this main structure there was the amphitheater, combat arena, Olympic swimming pools and state-of-the-art gym that were close by to the left, stables, lakes, gardens and even forests further south of the property still in the "city of Belladona Academy", astronomy/astrology tower and the Hospital near the main building on the right; marina and an entire apparatus in the coastal region of the island for classes for the marine division, aircraft hangar for the aeronautics division in the northern region, cinema in the east region, library in the west, as well as other establishments such as warehouses, stocks and even restaurants.
The dormitory area was divided into two regions, to the right of the main building was the path that led to the male dormitory section which was close to the hospital and astronomy tower, to the left was the female dormitory section near the arena, gym and the amphitheater. The dormitories, in addition to being divided by gender, there was little difference, they were sets of six state-of-the-art mirrored and glazed twelve-floors buildings each with four rooms per floor. Each room holding up to five students, being well equipped with a single bed for each, five study tables, an upper floor created by the magic of space with a leisure area, rest and bookcases.
The place was really wonderful and paradisiacal, to enter this property you would go through a giant mother-of-pearl double arch enchanted with a shield that protected the entire area. It was a pleasure to be in that place, a dream come true, before they left Otrera seemed to want to talk to them once more.
– Dears, here begins your journey, I want to give you one last hug, I won't be able to show favoritism, but I want you to know that I believe a lot in you and if you say, you'll make it, I believe you will rock it. – Said Otrera who gave each of the twins a tight hug.
– Thank you, aunt! Let's do our best! – Artemisia said.
– It will be an amazing experience! – Apollodro said with a smile.
– You two have warrior spirits, I don't doubt it. – Laughed Otrera. – Go there, have some time to look before the ceremony in the amphitheater. –
The twins get out of the car and go look at the place, they were dazzled and left to see the whole place. Artemisia immediately went to see the military installations, but Apollodro entered the main building's gates, the central courtyard was beautiful in an obsidian floor, looking up it was possible to see the crystal, glass and mirror structures of the upper floors and the vaulted ceiling. Made of perfect glass, Apollodro admired the monument that stood in the entrance hall, a starry granite statue of the Three Great Legendary Warriors, it was a reminder of what Belladona students could one day become with great effort.
Distracted Apollodro walked with his angelic face observing all that place and the central sign that pointed out the location of the rooms and departments, and in this distraction he ended up bumping and falling on the floor for bumping into another student.
Nathan Gallard[1], 16 years old, his eyes were bicolor, the right blue and the left green, his white hair short and wildly messy, his fair skin, he was a very beautiful, youthful and somewhat familiar sight to young Hecatrix; in that uniform Prince Gallard looked almost godlike, he was so handsome.
– Oh, sorry, I'm a bit clumsy, is everything okay with you? I'm Nathan Gallard. – Said the prince introducing himself, he didn't recognize the Hecatrix at first, but he felt as if he knew him, he had a beautiful and naive smile, hard not to get caught.
– Oh, I'm… I'm fine, I need to find my sister. – Apollodro said blushing, looking away and leaving, the prince could not have recognized the young Hecatrix, but surely Apollodro remembered the prince, his feelings and what happened when they were children.
– Wait, come back here... What's your name? – Nathan said that he was also blushing, he had remembered a certain someone from his past, little did he know it was his own, but he couldn't recognize it in time.
Coming in was another Gallard, Nathan's cousin Gale. Gale Gallard[2], 15 years old, her eyes were bicolor, the right blue and the left green, her hair was medium white with a pink streak, her bearing was very elegant, refined, in addition to wearing the dress version of the uniform. Gale was a prodigy, finished his formal studies a year earlier than conventional, a girl recognized as the Gallard prodigy in this generation.
– "Nate", that boy here a moment ago, wasn't Polo Hecatrix? – Asked the princess, approaching her cousin elegantly leaning on his shoulder and seeing Apollodro crossing the exit door.
– I'm not sure, I haven't seen Polo in years… It's all my fault. – Nathan said blushing.
– He's your childhood love, right? It's a shame what happened, his grandmother is a good friend of ours, but even so it's been four years since you saw him. – Gale said with a slight touch of irony.
– I wouldn't blame him if he never wants to look me in the face again. – Nathan said reflectively.
***
Apollodro found Artemisia and his sister noticed his brother's flushed face.
– Have you got a boy already? That's fast! – Artemisia laughed seeing her brother blushing.
– It's nothing like that, I ran into Nathan Gallard. – Apollodro said with his face even more flushed.
– Got it… But maybe it's time to let it go, he was just a kid, he probably didn't know what he was saying. – Artemisia laughed with affection in her eyes towards her brother.
– I'm fine, he went his way, and I'm in mine. – Apollodro smiled a little loosely, but he convinced his sister.
Two friends of the twins were there and went to greet them, they were longtime friends, spent their childhood and teenage together, now they would also be united in this new phase of life.
Sandy Storm, 16 years old, her hair was dark, curly and voluminous, but it was curled up in a cottage, her hazel eyes brown and her skin brown; she had Kora'q descent, she was beautiful, perfect in her way, a girl of unique intelligence and very hardworking.
Adam Hardrock, 16 years old, his hair was dark, full and well-lined, his eyes blue and his skin white, he was a legitimate Celestine, in addition to having a phenomenal body for his age, a breathtaking composition and tall stature; he had in his hands his spellbook, the spellbook he had inherited from his mother Ava, who died in battle in World War VI, it was another multiversal spellbook, the Grimoire of Hephaestus, a book with an "H" written in bronze bas-relief, brown background and silver edges. Adam was a sensitive young man, not just a pile of muscle.
– Sandy! Adam! You entered too! It's gonna be awesome! – Artemisia said that she couldn't hold back from happiness and immediately hugged her friends.
– What's up guys! I missed you! – Apollodro said that he went to hug them too.
– Polo, Artê... I missed you all, I knew you would make it for sure... I didn't know if I would. – Sandy laughed with a mixture of humor and a little criticism.
– Oh, no girl, you've always been this talented girl... Don't let what they say about the Kora'q shake you, you're not like those extremists. – Artemisia said, supporting her friend.
– And you big one, it's time to honor your mother. – Apollodro said patting his friend's shoulder with a smile.
– Yes, I know that was her dream and also father's dream, that I came here. – Said Adam happy.
– It will be three very fun years with you here. – Artemisia said.
– Have you ever seen that there's a lot of cutie hunks around here, Artê? – Sandy said, she realized that there were many cute boys from the other years around there.
– I realized that they don't stop looking at Polo. – Artemisia laughed.
– It's not my fault! – Apollodro said already defending himself. – Look this way, 80% of Celestia's boys, especially Belladona, are bisexual. –
– Looking at it this way… Not to mention that our focus here is to become legends, these other things can wait. – Sandy said laughing and leaning on Adam.
– I agree! – Said Adam that blushed slightly, but managed to disguise it. – Twins, talking about that I heard that your aunt and the other two legendary warrior mages are coming back, is it true? –
– Yes, and even aunt "O" is already around, it's nice to have her around again, but then she comes back for good, when we're going to be in this military boarding school. – Artemisia laughed, ironically.
– At least we'll see her on vacations, we used to see her once a year, sometimes only every two years. – Apollodro said that optimistically.
The friends were having fun talking and killing the homesickness, until two more mages approached, these two not so friendly
Megara Hashik, 16 years old, black, long and with a nice fringe hair, her eyes dark brown and white skin, she clearly had Nihondo descent, very beautiful Asian features. She wore the pants version of the uniform. She was a bit arrogant, but an arrogant who could play her hand, very powerful and skillful from an early age, a competitive girl, a beauty who hid a competitive mage of justifiable arrogance with her skills.
Alana Ivory, 16 years old, black hair in a beautiful Afro style, her greenish brown eyes, her black skin. Alana had and outstanding Zambi descent. A skilled mage with impressive genetics, her grandfather Elijah Ivory was the Cancer master mage, now retired. She was an ambitious young woman who enjoyed power and being close to it, and in addition to gaining power by her own skill, she don't exclude get some royals to her.
– So this is Artemisia Hecatrix, doesn't seem like a big deal, "Meg". – Alana laughed in a mocking way.
– I know, but she can give some work in a fight, at least that, after all she is a Hecatrix, we can't belittle her so much. – Megara laughed as she approached the group of twins.
– Hashik, so you came in too… As far as I remember, I defeated you badly at Celestia's last national high school student championship, right in the final. – Artemisia said, she was happy to say those words.
– Luck! – Megara said indignantly.
– And you must be Alana Ivory... Winner of the last Newbay regionals, congratulations on the victory. – Apollodro said offering his hand to the young mage.
– Apollodro Hecatrix, I don't know if I can say the same, I haven't seen you in many championships out there... Aren't Hecatrix men that strong? – Provoked Alana.
– Girl, I wouldn't say that, Polo just wasn't in the mood to participate, but I guarantee he could clean the floor with you two. – Defended the sister of the young Hecatrix.
– Does your sister need to battle your fights? Well, sorry for being rude, it's just that they talk so much about the Hecatrix, I just expected more from the clan of the most powerful mage in the nation. – Alana said at the same time apologizing and letting the air show that their family was just stories, not actual mighty mages.
– And since when me being a Hecatrix forces me to have to act in a certain way? Being Hecatrix is part of who I am, it's my offspring, but it doesn't define me completely, I'm just not as adept at fighting as my sis. – Apollodro returned almost as if it was a kick. – Talking about it, I don't know if you know, but I'm a medical mage, and my aunt gave me some tips, do you want to face a one-on-one against me? (he said this with a smile, calm but with the implied threat) –
The blood in the veins of the two mages froze for a moment with those words, but then they returned to normal, they saw that the boy had attitude when pressed.
– It's going to be three interesting years…and next, I'm going to dump you, Hecatrix. – Megara smiled as she was leaving.
– Bye boys, I hope you enjoy the ceremony... And I hope you don't have any resentment. – Alana said with a certain tone of sincerity and playing a charm for Adam and Apollodro.
Megara and Alana leaves.
– That nosy Nihondess. – Cursed Sandy.
– It's just that bitch's way, but the worst thing is that she has reason to be stuck… I barely won, she almost takes that fight. –Admitted Artemisia.
– This Alana is really pretty, a little provocative, but I could tell it wasn't for bad, I understand her. – Apollodro said.
– You understand? – Sandy and Adam said strangely.
– The Ivorys became famous because of Elijah Ivory during his service as a master mage, but before that they were a family of poor Zambi descent, they struggled until they were where they are, she probably knows what it's like to have to make a path on her own, Artê and I, on the other hand, have a surname, we have our aunt and our mother, even our father's past didn't matter that much, not to mention our grandmother and aunt... Before you think bad of her, think that maybe she doesn't like what we represent, not necessarily us. – Apollodro said with a smile.
– Polo is always so kind and reflective, but on second thought, you're right. – Sandy said thinking about her own situation as a Kora'q descendant.
– Polo knows very well what this is, unfortunately men still suffer some prejudice, considered inferior to female mages and those who suffer the most harassment, for him to be calm, peaceful, man, handsome and support mage, all of this contributes to them thinking that he is weak, even being a Hecatrix, no wonder he can understand the pain of the other... And being an empath as he is, is very important for a mage. – Artemisia said smiling.
– It's impressive, Artê is short-tempered and stressed with others, but when it comes to Polo, she's sweet. – Adam laughed.
– Stew! – Artemisia laughed, punching Adam.
From where they were Apollodro could see a young man who seemed to feel out of place, propped alone on one decorative graeka column holding his blazer on his back with a spot of Bad Boy.
Keith Haze, 16 years old, his eyes were green, his hair was dark and thick, his skin was brown, he was a very handsome young man, but with an evil look. He was a war orphan, since the age of 6 he went through three adoptive families until he arrived in Haze family.
Apollodro, wanting to show himself sympathetic, goes to where the boy was, alone, isolated, young Hecatrix was very empathetic in this regard.
– Hi… My name is Apollodro Hecatrix, but you can call me Polo. – The young mage said, extending his hand and introducing himself.
– Who asked? – Keith said defensively, ignoring Apollodro.
– I just wanted to be nice. – Apollodro said, looking away.
– I don't need pity from anyone. – Keith said that he seemed to have been badly hurt.
– I don't… – said the young Hecatrix awkwardly.
Artemisia sees the situation and goes there to sort things out.
– What's happening, bro? – Artemisia said, arriving with a smile, but she didn't seem so calm.
– Great, now the full crew will show up... Look, I'm fine the way I am. – Said Keith hostile.
– Boy, my brother was just being nice, what's your problem? – Said Artemisia stressed.
– You love to mess with those who are quiet... I don't want to pick a fight, I'm here to make things right. – Keith said a little defensively and leaving with style, but not before Apollodro noticed a numerical mark on his wrist vertically.
– This boy! – Artemisia said, she was stressed.
– Sis, please! No! – Apollodro said, he understood the situation better, but preferred not to comment on it, it was really something that someone who went through that wanted to forget.
– He's puffy like Artemisia. – Adam laughed.
– Worse that it is true. – Artemisia's brother laughed.
– Fuck off. – Laughed the mage Hecatrix.
– Let's get going? The ceremony is about to begin, you know I don't like to be late. – Sandy said.
– Let's go… I want to find a place away from this grim-faced guy and those two bitches. – Artemisia said.
– I don't give Artê a month to fight them. – Said Adam going with his friends to the amphitheater.
– 1 month? I bet that in two weeks. – Pollo said.
So the four friends went to the amphitheater. The place was beautiful, all made of black stones, dynamic cut of inverted trapeze wider on top and tapering in the first rows facing the stage, there was space for up to 5,000 people, but at that time there were 60 final year students, 120 of the second year and 180 first year students, what differentiated them were the golden stripes on the blazer on the left side, one for each year of academy, a total of 360 students, the academy has held ten times that number of students, but after the war there were many casualties and also a certain lack of interest in the Royal Guard due to the period of peace in which the mages became interested in using their powers for the civilian segments of society. Perhaps, the Belladona Academy was still most rigorous and the most respected in the world.
On stage were Celestia's twelve master mages and of course some of Belladona's teachers.
Margareth was the academy director and sealing teacher at Belladona; Anitta was a teacher of history and astrological magic; Astarte was a teacher of medical and healing magic, but there were other teachers of magic, and the most highly qualified.
Derek Gallard, 31 years old, his eyes were bicolor, the right green and the left blue, his white hair was thick and messy, his skin was tanned. This so noble Gallard was part of the secondary family and heir to the duchy of Soulcore in the east of the country, in the academy he was teacher of Physics arts and theory of magic, he within the Royal Guard was of the sage class; his uniform was the vest like that of the masters of the Royal Guard, but with the tail split in half and open in an angled and pointed way. He was a very lively and enthusiastic teacher.
Areta Echoir, 30 years old, her eyes were brown, her hair black, curly and tied back in a turban, her skin black and beautiful. Areta was a teacher of chemical arts and potions; she belonged to the captains class, a powerful and renowned mage, a young paladin at the end of the war, grew up inspired by the 3GLWM.
Alicia Hanover, 48 years old, her eyes were honey brown, her hair long, wavy and voluminous light brown, her skin brown. Alicia was a teacher of the elemental magic arts and also a sage of the Royal Guard, a mage with expertise in the elemental domain, a lady with an unblemished career in the corporation.
Trent Draw, 29 years old, his eyes were brown, his light brown hair was full and short, his beard was already quite leafy and well-trimmed, his white skin slightly tanned. Trent was the combat teacher and also a captain of the Royal Guard, a teacher with amazing combat skills, regarded as one of the best current captains.
Priscila K'waik, 27 years old, her eyes were honey color, her hair curly and dark brown, her skin brown, she was clearly of Kora'q descent. Priscila was a teacher of philosophy and sociology, in addition to being a sage of the Royal Guard, the youngest in history, having entered this position at the age of 23, a historical record that said a lot in favor of her intelligence and ability.
Gregory Gorgon, 37 years old, with amethyst eyes, blond hair and white skin, a very handsome and discreet man, with a very elegant bearing. He was a teacher of stealth and espionage, as well as being a captain of the Royal Guard, an experienced mage from the 3GLWM era, the best spy currently in the corporation.
Emiliana Alvarez, 40 years old, her eyes were blue, her hair is black, short in Chanel cut, and fair skin, a beautiful lady and also very powerful. She was a teacher of traps, weapons and defenses, an expert and passionate about knowledge, she was a captain of the Royal Guard, a woman who fought alongside of the 3GLWM and has always served the nation with pride.
Henri Mist, 40 years old, his eyes were green, his short hair was messy and red, his face freckled and pale skin, his beard unshaven, he had a very vigorous physical makeup. He was the teacher of mystical sensorial and illusory arts, his position in the Royal Guard was as sage, not that he shied away from a good fight, an experienced and very skilled guy, he was one of the favorite teachers of Ethan Gallard who was an exponent of sensorial magic.
Shannon Aegis, 42 years old, his eyes were brown, bald and his skin black, with a full beard. Shannon was the biology teacher, very skilled and experienced, he was a sage of the Royal Guard, a scholar and who understood everything from the plant and animal kingdom, was of great value in World War VI studying antidotes to poisons from smuggled Kalarian beasts .
Everyone sat down, the master mages decorated the ceremony demonstrating the highest positions within the Royal Guard, there was a well-defined hierarchy for after graduation from the academy:
Neophyte: they were the newcomers to the order, being redistributed to their respective captains and sometimes training with one of the twelve masters, they are the lowest and weakest class in the royal order, yet the path to join the guard requires only the best among the young.
Paladin: Advanced soldiers, assigned to high-danger missions, stronger and more trained than neophytes, are natural evolutions of neophytes. They are under the command of captains at times, but it was not uncommon to be assigned to escort and defense missions by the 12 masters in person or to the royal family itself, one of the most versatile ranks of all in the matter of missions they can carry out, famous "jack of all trades".
Captain: A prominent position that needs great power to achieve, they are leaders of teams formed by neophytes and paladins to carry out missions, there are special captains with defined teams and there are those captains who do not have or choose not to have a team of subordinates defined, in most cases when a captain is promoted, it was directly to Master of the Royal Guard, they are responsible for a wide range of coordination and execution of warlike and combative activities.
Sage: Sage is an ordering almost Filler, it was possible, and it almost always happened that the masters were chosen among the captains. Sages were powerful, but they often resigned themselves to a more theoretical career, even so they have their functions linked to the military arts, even direct combat, but in general they were more in strategic support.
Twelve Masters: The twelve most powerful mages in the nation who were blessed with zodiacal power in support of their other powers, in addition to being the most talented, were the true generals and ministers of the nation.
Grand Master: One of the twelve masters, the leader of the order of the Royal Guard.
Headmistress Margareth then positioned herself on the platform to offer a welcome, a woman of value, a bearing worthy of one of Celestia's greatest authorities.
– Welcome everyone... To those who return and to those who join the academy this year, here the dream is born, here will come the defenders of Celestia, and of the world... After ten years, I am proud to do this presentation not only with the main faculty, but alongside all the master mages, all twelve come together once again, a sign of good news for the nation and that they are inspired, to see as much as they can get... I know that many of you look at their statue at the entrance day after day, but now you will see in person those who are the greatest pride of the nation, the three Great Legendary Warrior Mages. – Margareth announced with pride and was cheered.
All the students were applauding in chorus, with pride and satisfaction, they were in the presence of the entire cast of master mages and among them the three greatest mages in the nation. The director opened space for the three of them to give a few words.
– Margaret is right… This is where it all starts… I remember when I entered the academy and when the girls and I became an inseparable trio, we were once students like you, and we made our way… All you can be like us one day. – Edward said playing his charm to the audience.
The students freaked out with that and some students shouted "HOT", others felt sick because he was so handsome. Then it was Morrigan's turn.
– It scares me very much to see this amphitheater with so few people, and it could be much more crowded, but after all the academy only accepts qualified, and times of peace discouraged many from pursuing a career in the Royal Guard or in the common army, but you are here, willing to protect the nation and as I always say, better quality than quantity... We all hope so much from you, Celestia's future, honor those who gave their lives to be here today. – Morrigan spoke austere.
The Pisces mage was applauded in chorus and with a lot of respect, she inspired respect, authority, she was a very centered woman. So it was Otrera's turn to think about all the good things that happened there, when he met his master, his adventures with friends.
– I am very happy to be here, in front of you, first I must apologize to all of you, as you know I was absent for a decade after the war, war is not easy, things happen that make you disbelieve everything, but looking for you, I remembered something my master always told us about "The spirit of Celestia" and I believe all of you too, the strength within every Celestia's mage to stand up and fight for this nation in the same way as our ancestors fought against Bricttany rule over us... You are the future and I hope you reach all your dreams and that one day you look back and that me and the other legendary mages that see here are nothing compared to you , overcome us, protect our home, you are the new generation, those who will carry the will of our companions who have fallen in battle. – Said Otrera inspiring.
Everyone cheered the mage, especially her nephews, teachers and master mages, the last ones who were on stage cheered emotionally, she said what everyone wanted to say, that no one was there for ego, at least not everyone, and that the greatest interest theirs was for the students to surpass them one day.
– It is difficult to continue after such a beautiful speech, but the Grand Mistress is right, that is our interest here, your development... I believe that you have already received the academic calendars and regulations, as well as the instructions for the dormitories, but I would like to point out about Gamma, Beta, Alpha and Omega students, these are ranks of the school, Omega being the strongest and most skillful students and Gamma the lowest level, first year students start of course all without exception or privileges like Gamma, and it has to prove its worth, I emphasize here to final-year students that an Alfa ranking with excellence is the minimum to be able to pass the academy and become neophytes, having been welcomed and even by guests Very illustrious, we will have a cocktail for social interaction and on Monday the classes will start... May it be a fruitful year for all. – Margareth said excited.
The mages received an ovation and went to the social cocktail in the region near the lake where airy white tents had been set up, a buffet of food and lots of drinks.
***
Students, teachers, master mages, they were all mixed up there, it was a real reception and reunion of several friends and acquaintances. Apollodro was drinking some champagne and had gone to see the lake which was very beautiful, it was a dream come true. Nathan saw Apollodro and went to see him again to make sure he was who he thought.
– Hi, we bumped into each other earlier… I'm not sure, but is it you, Polo? – Nathan said with his charming smile.
– Y… It's me yes, royal prince. – Apollodro said, looking away blushing.
Ethan Gallard, the Cancer mage and royal prince was nearby in one of the buffet tents and sees the two together, it was a sight he hadn't had for years and he went there.
– Polo and Nate, I haven't seen you two together since you were about twelve, you were inseparable... How are you, Polo? – Said Ethan innocent of the situation and of what happened in the past.
– Eh… I'm fine, Mr. Ethan, I have to go, I have to go see the dorm. – Apollodro said, who answers the mage and leaves elegantly behind his sister.
– What, what happened to him? You didn't get apart, now he doesn't seem to want to see your shadow. – Ethan said curiously.
– Honestly, I fucked up and I think he hasn't forgiven me. – Nathan said.
– Don't worry, I think things work out with time. – Ethan smiled leaving, realizing that his nephew probably wanted to be alone.
Otrera was nearby and heard, she was going to check on her nephew, but more immediately Alana approached Nathan at the lake.
– Hello your royal highness! I was watching you from far throughout the ceremony, I wonder if you would like to hang out with me next week during the weekend release? – Alana said that she had a lot of charm and used this tactic to arrive, usually it worked.
– You really are very beautiful and I realized yes, but we like the same toy, preferentially 11 inches or more. – Nathan laughed, realizing the mage's intentions.
– Oh! Got it... Can we be friends then? – Alana said that she would not miss the opportunity to get closer to influential people.
– Oh, of course… After all, that's also why I came here, to be treated like everyone else and to make friends regardless of whatever class they are. – Said the prince.
– Noble of you. – Alana smiled who was being nice even though she was irritated with having understood that she didn't seem to be from a tradition family.
Nathan wanted to go after Apollodro, but he knew that maybe it would make things worse.
***
Apollodro, Artemisia, Adam and Sandy were leaving the lake area and going to look at the dorms, but halfway, still in the gardens area, Otrera caught up with them and went to talk to Apollodro.
– Aunt? It's OK? – asked Apollodro who did not understand why his aunt had appeared out of nowhere there.
– Look, I'm not here as Grand Mistress, I'm here as your aunt, aunt of Polo Hecatrix, what, what happened my dear? You left the lake crying after talking to the prince, what happened? As I remember you were so friends. – Otrera said that she was trying to be impartial, but seeing her nephew crying, she couldn't hold back.
– And we were, actually we were more than that, he was my first crush, when he was twelve years old, or I thought he was, we kissed, but then when I went to tell people he said no, it was lie of mine and then he told me that we had nothing and we couldn't... After that I walked away, I was very hurt, and honestly I don't want his pity. – Apollodro said, remembering what happened in the past and drying his tears.
– I see, darling, don't worry, from what I've heard he's not the same twelve-year-old boy anymore, but you don't need to be his friend either, just have more self-esteem and pose dear... I have to go, I see you and your sister on vacation. – Otrera smiled, hugging her nephew and then her niece, saying goodbye to the others and returning to the lake. – The adventure starts now, guys! –
– Shall we see the rooms? – Said Adam trying to improve the atmosphere.
– We will! But boys cannot enter the girls' one, nor vice versa. – Sandy laughed.
– Not that this detail makes any difference to Polo. – Artemisia said.
– I was lucky to stay in the same dorm as Adam. – Said the young Hecatrix.
– And I'm in the same as Artê... And it seems that even a Gallard, from what we've seen, the prime minister's daughter, will be fun. – Sandy said excitedly.
– Daughter? Valtor didn't have a boy? Gillian? – Asked Apollodro, finding it strange.
– I forgot that you literally tried to forget that the Gallard existed, even though your grandmother was very friendly with the queen… Gillian became Gale. – Artemisia said.
– I had forgotten about that, gods, I should have remembered, I even shared the posts in support of her at the time… She was very kind to me at the time I got rejected. – Apollodro said.
So the young mage went to take a look at the dorms, classes would start on Monday, it would be an interesting year, just on the day of the presentation there were already quite a few interactions, friendships, enmities, wireless phones and a lot of confusion to come. The journey to the Royal Guard would be more interesting and hormonal than they imagined.
[1] Eldest son of Crown Princess Emma Gallard
[2] Princess of Celestia, daughter of Prince Valtor, and also a transsexual princess, at age 12, she understood herself as a girl, even though she was born in the body of a boy, her family fully supported her in the process.