…Divination Hall, Azov Kingdom…
It was a large hall rooted magnificently on the mountain. Several lakes surrounded it, covering its ground with water. White lotus flowers floated on the lakes giving the palace a peaceful and serene aura.
There were also a few male and female disciples walking leisurely around the palace in groups adding to the liveliness on the mountain.
Two figures could be seen walking up the long stairs of the hall. It was Elder Bernard and Lyca. He held her hand as he directed her.
As they walked side by side, Elder Bernard suddenly whirled his gaze towards her. Then, he said in a volume only both of them could hear, "From now on, you will be my personal disciple. I'll protect you. You've suffered, little girl."
Lyca could hear his voice near her so she knew he was standing on her right. She whirled her head toward him.
She couldn't see him but she could feel the sincerity in his words. Lyca was unable to describe what she felt. She felt warmth in her heart. A lone tear slid down her face.
No one had ever consoled her. No one had ever treated her well. The most she had received was pity. Whenever a stranger of the kingdom visited and saw her being maltreated, they would pity her. But, the moment they heard what her parents were like, even those gazes full of pity would turn into contempt.
Lyca was unable to see. But, her other senses were very sharp. She had an even sharper sense. From how deep his voice was and the touch of his palm, she could determine that he was more than 800 years old. But, this old man was the first one to declare that he would protect her.
Her voice was choked and she could let out a low murmur. "En."
Elder Bernard gave a small smile when he heard her. By then, they had reached the gates of the hall. There was a crowd of people standing at the main door. There were males and females alike. The hall masters and their disciples were also amongst them including Elder Bernard's disciples.
The moment they saw Elder Bernard approaching, all of them straightened up. Those who were chatting quietened and those who were doing off stood up. They all gave a bow and greeted, "Welcome, Hall Master."
In front of Fenrir, the King of the Empire, Elder Bernard was submissive and respectful. In front of his people, however, he was also a strong entity. He was the leader of all the hall masters in the divination hall.
Azov kingdom was a vast kingdom. They ruled over the entirety of the East continent and all the kingdoms in that boundaries bowed to them. It was their main capital and powerhouse of the entire east. Thus, there were thousands of people in the kingdom. They came from different races and tribes but they all answered to the kingdom.
Due to this, there were a lot of factions in the kingdom. And that was why there was a hall separate for divinations. There were several teachers in the divination hall and they were called Masters. However, Elder Bernard was the head of all the teachers.
Since all attention was on Elder Bernard, Lyca was inevitably noticed as well. There were all sorts of gazes on her. She was covered in the shade of the large cloak and her head was lowered so no one could see her face.
But, they were curious about who the lady the Hall Master brought back.
It was okay if no one saw them. But, it wouldn't be okay for Elder Bernard to hold Lyca's hand and lead her. So, he called on one of the female hall masters whose name was Master Maulkins.
Freya Maulkins was taken aback by his request. She ran her gaze over Lyca's hooded figure but she couldn't see that she was injured or anything. She was curious but she didn't hesitate to obey the master's orders.
She walked up to Lyca and held her hand. Lyca immediately felt the change in the texture of the hand that held her. It was warm and soft yet crusty. It was a middle-aged woman.
Lyca didn't need her to direct her. She was already used to directing with her other senses so the moment the woman began to move, she followed. Even though it was her first time there, she could easily follow the movements of the woman. So, she looked quite leisurely and the other people who were watching them were unable to determine whether she was blind or not.
Elder Bernard gave Master Maulkins a satisfactory glance. Then, he turned to enter the hall. The hall opened and everyone began to troop in.
Elder Bernard walked up the narrow steps that led to his seat and settled on it. After a few minutes, everyone had entered. Master Maulkins and Lyca stood in the middle of the hall since she didn't know where to take her.
Seeing this, Elder Bernard began the introduction. He looked at everyone seated in the large hall and declared, "The young lady over there is by the name Lyca. She is one of us."
Upon hearing his words, flocks of heads whirled in Lyca's direction and they all looked at her. But, her head was lowered so none of those people could see her facial features.
Elder Bernard continued, "From now on, she will be my personal disciple."
The hall turned silent. Everyone was dumbfounded including the hall masters. They were all staring at Elder Bernard in disbelief.
Elder Bernard hadn't accepted a personal disciple in years. He had countless house disciples. However, he only had one personal disciple and the person had become a hall master himself.
Countless people wanted to be the master's personal disciple, but the master never accepted another disciple after that person. The master's personal disciple was highly respected and honored in the hall.
But, this revered title was actually given away to a newbie that had just joined?