A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.1
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"Solana~ Are you ready? It's your time to shine!" Princess Lorreign giggled and filled Solana's face with kisses.
The child chuckled, "Yes, I am ready! But where's Mommy? Is she not going with us? Is she not going to send me off at least?"
He cheeks puffed, her lips pout, and her tears welled up in her eyes.
Princess Lorreign forced a laugh and look over to her father who's cooking their breakfast and also packing their lunch and snacks later.
Skadi Eira popped out of nowhere and fell to the couch. She bounced.
"You're so dramatic. I'm here though?"
Solana's face light up and ran to her.
"Mommy! You made it! Thank you so much!" Solana jumped and landed on her legs, which she hugged while giggling in joy.
Skadi Eira smirked and pet her head, "I can't wait to see your ass get kicked."
"Mom, that's not a nice thing to say! Cheer her up! Cheer!"
Princess Lorreign picked up the pompoms she bought and the flower balls she made. She even made a banner for Solana later.
"Why recommend her, Princess? Solana's so young. She should be in kindergarten. She don't need to go through admission tests yet," the King said and pour the soup from the casserole to the porcelain bowl.
"I wanted her to be in the star section!"
"Star!?" Solana's eyes sparkled. Skadi Eira lift her legs up and down like a seesaw. Solana chuckled and sat on her legs properly, playing.
The Star Section is an exclusive classroom and section, spanning from elementary to college, designed for the most exceptional and top-performing students. Handpicked for their academic prowess, creativity, and potential for leadership, these students embark on a journey of unparalleled opportunity and enrichment. Students in the Star Section are provided with advanced curriculum tailored to challenge and stimulate their intellectual curiosity. They engage in specialized projects, participate in competitions, and receive mentorship from distinguished educators, nurturing their talents and fostering a lifelong love for learning. They have access to cutting-edge resources, are prioritized---they're basically the VIPs and celebrities in the Academia.
Since elementary to this day, the only one who never left the said section is its King, Crown Watts Xirquit, the top performing Academian, and one with the most accumulated merits, produced the most number of graduated scholars under his name, and has been collecting licenses since.
That's why, Solana, though a child, must go through the tedious process of the admission test. Once she passed the phases, she will jump into ranks and will be placed in the Star Section.
"I'm so excited to color-color with my classmates! Mommy, are you excited, too?"
"Nah, I can beat them up real' quick. You should, too. If you lose, I don't like you anymore."
"I'm gonna win! I'm strong! Daddy taught me fighting skills! Hi-yah! Hi-yah!" she do simple chops in the air. King Liorei smiled from ear to ear.
"Nah, chop their necks. Instant win."
Solana paused and gave her a clueless look, "Huh? Why, Mommy?"
"ALRIGHT, BREAKFAST IS READY!" King Liorei called before her mother could say something that will taint her innocent mind.
Solana hopped off her mother's legs and ran to the dining table. King Liorei picked her up and put her on her seat. Her eyes twinkled when she saw the food on her plate.
"Yey! Nuggies! Mommy, look! My favorite! Thank you, Daddy! Nuggies! Nuggies!" Solana danced side by side and grabbed her personalized spoon and fork.
"I want that." Skadi Eira teased, to make her cry. But Solana smiled brightly and nodded.
"We can share, Mommy! You will love these, too!"
Princess Lorreign held her chest when the feels got into her. She definitely raised Solana right. She's so sweet!
But she noticed that her parents are somehow distant to each other. No, it's the King who's distant to Skadi Eira. She's even teasing him.
After their breakfast, King Liorei told them to wait for him in the living room. He's cleaning the dishes. He gave them light snacks to eat.
"Solana, come here," Skadi Eira called and tap her lap. Solana stand up from sitting on the carpeted floor. She's playing with her sister.
"What is it, Mommy?"
Skadi Eira stared at her face.
"I need to change your face. How do you want to look?"
Solana was frightened.
"M-Mommy, am I u-ugly?"
"Hell, nah. I can't call you that. That ain't even your face. Nah-uh."
Princess Lorreign cleaned her toys and joined them in the same sofa.
"Then why change my face, Mommy? I like my face!"
Skadi Eira pinched her cheeks.
"I just borrowed that face from someone. You should have your own identity, not as you who looked like Zodiac. Then nobody will call you Solana. I'll give you a new face, so tell me how do you want to look."
"Oh, you should ask me, Mom! Solana, leave it to me! You trust sister, right? I'll make you the prettiest!"
Solana wiped her tiny teardrops and nodded.
"Okay. I understand."
So, with the Princess telling Skadi Eira what to do and how to modify, they changed the facial features of Solana. Princess Lorreign had so many requests, and one of it is a gradient of black to red red cat eyeliner tattoo on Solana's eyelids.
And when they're done, Skadi Eira just noticed how Solana's new face looked a lot like her with the features of the King.
"DAD! LOOK, LOOK AT SOLANA'S NEW FACE! KYAAAAHHH!!!"
The Princess snatched Solana from her mother and dashed to the kitchen where their Dad is. She lifted Solana over her head, showing her off to their Dad whose jaw was left gaping when he saw Solana's transformation.
"Who the fu---What did you do?"
Solana smiled, "Do I look pretty, Daddy? Am I pretty?"
Who's gonna tell her? She's a young goddess.
~~~
In the second phase of the enrollment process, the contenders who have emerged victorious from the initial crucible find themselves thrust into a new arena of challenge and confrontation.
Here, the top 50 from the first phase must confront a formidable array of opponents, handpicked and recommended for their prowess and potential. The atmosphere crackles with anticipation as these two forces collide, each participant a beacon of determination and resilience.
In this phase, there are spectators—the proud Academians, and the Crowns as the phase's facilitators. The third and last phase will be held right after the second phase, where the champions from the second phase will stood side by side with the scholars to go through the a series of yet another filtering tests.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I SEE THAT EVERYONE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SECOND PHASE!" The host for today's event hyped up. The Academians clapped their hands.
"I won't make you wait anymore! Let's all welcome, our powerful, beautiful, and majestic Princesses and Prince who will facilitate the second phase's grading and judging... CROWN NAFREAIA AXEORE! CROWN EOWYNE WARLOCK! CROWN SUN! And last but not the least, the Academia's true heartthrob, CROWN MAXIGAUFEAS VERNIGNAC!!!"
All eyes turn towards the entrance as the Prince and Princesses, adorned in regal attire befitting their noble stature, step into the limelight, their presence commanding attention and reverence. A wave of excitement ripples through the Academians, their hearts swelling with pride at the sight of their esteemed royals gracing the grand arena of their beloved institution. With each graceful step, the Prince and Princesses exude an aura of authority and wisdom, their presence a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who behold them.
As they take their place at the forefront of the proceedings, the Academians erupt into thunderous applause, their cheers echoing off the vaulted ceilings of the great hall. It is a moment of jubilation and celebration, a testament to the profound respect and admiration that the Academians hold for their Crowns.
Sun was taking the lead, keeping her head held high as she look around and wave to her believers with a grateful smile. Meanwhile, Princess Nafreaia is keeping up with her pace. She would not walk behind another royal.
"PRINCESS NAFREAIA, YOU'RE SO GRACEFUL! KYAAAH! I WANT TO BE LIKE YOU!"
The Princess heard and looked at the ladies who idolizes her. She grant them a smile. The ladies fainted.
"MEDIC! MEDIC!" Their classmates called.
On the other hand, Prince Maxigaufeas is taking his time with his woman. Everyone went crazy when he kissed Princess Eowyne's hand. They were holding each other hands while walking, fully intertwined.
The host gave the microphone to Sun.
"Everyone, welcome to the second phase of Academia's admission. I am with crippling joy to see all of you here to witness fighters and geniuses that will soon become one of us," she impromptu, keeping it cool.
Once she sees Watts Xirquit, she will give him a lesson.
"BOO! IMPOSTOR!" A voice echoed throughout, coming from the back seats.
"WHO SAID THAT!?" Sun's supporters reacted.
Sun smiled, a weak one, and wore a mournful face. Prince Maxigaufeas scoffed when he sees what's about to come.
"It's been a year since we lost Moon. How could we forget her? She's my sister. It still breaks...my heart whenever she crosses my mind. How I wish things didn't go that way. She might still be here. She might have been a great Academian just like everyone."
She laughed and wiped her crocodile tears.
Princess Eowyne kept a straight face, even though she wanted to roll her eyes so bad.
Sun passed the mic to continue her act by sobbing. The host gave her a handkerchief, and none of the Crowns bothered to gave her a glance. Prince Maxigaufeas took the mic and hyped the audience up. But even when he's not yet speaking, the ladies' screams are already banging loud, louder than his male supporters.
"---To the recommended ones, whose names have been whispered in the halls of Academia as beacons of promise and potential, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Your prowess and dedication have not gone unnoticed, and it is with great anticipation that we welcome you to the forefront of this noble endeavor. And to the victors of the first phase, whose strength and skill have proven them worthy of acclaim, I offer my sincerest admiration. You have overcome countless trials to stand here today, and your triumph is a testament to your unwavering resolve and indomitable spirit. I wish each of you the best, and I'm hoping to see you soon around the Academia!"
The staff clapped their hands to gather the hundred in two straight lines. The 50 from the first phase is on the left, while the recommended ones were on the right.
When they spotted Princess Lorreign, they panicked and immediately went to assist her.
"Y-Your Highness! Oh, it's an honor to meet you! W-What are you doing here?"
Princess Lorreign curtsy with an excited smile.
"I am here to send my sister in. I recommended her. Solana, say hi!"
Everyone looked down at the girl beside her, hiding behind her legs.
"H-Hello... My name is... I'm Solana Gwyneira."
Everyone's eyes sparkled the moment they laid their eyes on her.
"W-Wow! I mean, Y-Your Highness, your sister... Is she of another race?"
"Of course! Wait, they're going in. You will see later!" She winked at them and wore her identification card around her neck as a 'Guardian'.
"Ori, please, let's go. You don't have to do this," the nun begged as she try to persuade the boy to leave.
But Ori is determined to make it out and show himself to everyone. Even though his knees are shaking every time he will take a step, even though their discriminating eyes are provoking him, and even though he keeps on falling everytime they will intentionally push and bump him, he comes back with the strongest will.
"Sister, look at that," Solana whispered and raised her hands. The Princess lifted her up and looked at the way she's looking at.
"Excuse me, is everything okay?" She asked out of pure concern.
The nun's eyes widened when she recognized the person in front of her. Princess Lorreign smiled at them.
"Princess, rumors say that Crown Watts recommended him," a staff whispered, surprising the Princess. She scanned the boy from his head down to his toes.
Then, she smiled again.
"I see. There must be a reason why. Shall we go?" The nun's tears fell and nodded.
Princess Lorreign offered her hand to Ori. Ori, with his eyes completely shut, looked down.
"Let's go. Watts brought you here for a reason. I have faith in him, so I will put my faith in you, too."