"Haha! This lady right here is the sister of Duke Trovis, Ashercian." Rodine made us faced each other, I hid my eyes that was twinkling with excitement. "Child, he's a year older than you but your brother is his teacher. Be sure to get along well."
"Huh? Teacher?" Rodine grabbed my attention by bringing up something I never knew.
'What the flip.. so that's why they're almost together then!'
I almost grin the moment I realized the kind of chance that came to get this man by my side. It's not going to be easy but I don't think it's going to be hard either.
Ashercian stared at me for a few seconds before nodding and avoiding his gaze. He extended his hand as if asking for a shake hands.
"I'm Ashercian Lavrins. It's nice to see teacher's younger sister." His eyes scanned my face for a moment and took it off again, "Although it's a good thing you don't look like him.." I heard him murmured.
What's with this guy? Is it just me or he's been hiding his eyes purposely?
At first glance, he looks stoic; and when he speaks, he avoids your eyes and put up a distance.
I smiled brightly, not minding what he really intended with that. I just want him as my ally, I shouldn't stick my nose to his business.
"However, for what reason did you come?" The old man questioned Ashercian. The latter just took something out of his coat's pocket.
It was an envelope sealed with blue wax. A letter written in a yellowish parchment appeared when the old man tear it.
I watched Rodine read the letter while I heard Ashercian sighed, "Teacher gave it."
My brother? Right, I heard he and his soldiers that came to the subjugation already returned according to Vincent's report.
"Hm.. child." I turned to the old man, "It seems we'll have to cut our conversation here." Rodine chuckled and gave me the letter.
I skimmed to it and found a sentence below where my brother's delicate handwriting showed what this is about.
「... I knew you had a lot of things to talk to with my sister and how it takes priority and immediate actions, however, forgive me for my impudence as I wanted to see my sister quickly. I sent Ashercian for that matter... 」
"Well, it's understandable?" The old man shrugged and trudged towards his table where papers are neatly organized.
I felt a warm feeling within as I traced my brother's handwriting.
'I could finally.. at least have someone by my side, truly.'
But.. is that fine? I'm making this guy my chaperone? He's literally the heir for Grand Duchy of Lavrins!
I peek a glance to Ashercian who was silently waiting for me and the old man that's finding something on his table.
"Hey, is that fine?"
"What is?" Without glancing my way, he asked.
I pointed to the letter, "Isn't he ordering you around?"
He crossed his arms, "I lost in a match, so I'm here." Ashercian watched the old man who's still not done finding something. "What is he doing?" He murmured.
"Oh okay." Not having anything to say, I turned my gaze away. Ashercian replies as if he wants to end a conversation, anyway.
"However.. it's unusual." My eyes returned to him. Our eyes, which he didn't even shifted my way before, finally met. "Is that a crest?" He pointed to my right hand holding the letter.
"... What's unusual if it is?"
Ashercian averted his eyes and muffled a laugh. I raised my brows at him who was laughing in amusement.
"That's Trovis for you or should I say a Frannia as well?" He cleared his throat and dropped his glance towards my hand, "Two 'Steorra' in one generation, how interesting."
Ah. I get it now why he's laughing. I didn't mind it instead because I knew how unusual it is. Must be the reason for the old man's word of unprecedented.
In the legends and history, when Goddess Asteria showered the world stars, it crashed down to the land and the people who touched it gained enormous power.
They were abilities and magic.
These power were sorted out to Aster, Steorra, and Celestial; which all of it means 'star' as a tribute to the goddess and the stars that gave them power.
Asters are people with abilities and magic yet limited and they age like normal people. Steorras are also like that however.. their power were monstrous enough just like how rare they are.
One in immediate families every generation is the limit. Sometimes they don't appear at all, but when they did, it's random no matter what status you have.
They live a long time as well and doesn't age but they're not immortals like Celestials; those that fall into this category were gods and goddesses.
'They were the first ones who held the stars that fell.'
Just like the imperial family's ancestor, God Ervion and our ancestor, Goddess Acantha. Celestials are free to bless their abilities or magic to others or maybe.. pass them down to their line.
Hence why anyone can get an ability or magic. However.. Celestials never appeared again after them and only Steorras. Overtime, they became a mystery in history except for families that got Celestials on their line.
Like the imperial family, this guy—the Lavrins, Trovis, Serrian, and Frannia; the family name of six heroes that founded the empire.
I get where Ashercian's disbelief came from. A woman that just suddenly came is a Trovis and is actually a Steorra— a rare type of ability-user.
"Found it, child!" The old man happily gave me an expensive looking envelope. A familiar seal, which is Wolstice's is on it. "Open it. Hurry, child."
I opened it just like he said and an invitation letter contained the beautiful penmanship.
「...this hereby states that Lady Zaria Triel Trovis is accepted to Wolstice as she qualifies for the necessary requirements of our institution. 」
My jaw dropped. I thought this old man—no! The headmaster is just going to take me in here when he said come with him!
'Oh my god, sorry for calling you an old man!'
"W-What.." My eyes went back and forth to the acceptance letter and the headmaster smiling at me.
This means so much to me. Wolstice can act as my second shield from Iarkial and also I can keep a connection to the headmaster and other future big names like Ashercian!
'I hit the jackpot.'
I grinned inwardly and pretended not to know anything in front of these people. "Haa.. I can guess where you're going to put her." Ashercian sighed and lean back to the wall.
"Be quite, my grandson." The headmaster glared at him and shifted into his happy expression as he look at me, "Welcome to Wolstice, child. From now on, you're going to learn more about your abilities."
"Now, done? Let's go, the duke must be wait—"
Ashercian wasn't able to continue his words when a bell rang from afar. We all froze as it rang even more aggressively and shouts erupted.
The door suddenly swung open, featuring Vincent who were catching his breath.
"My Lord, you must hurry!"
Ashercian catched Vincent who almost fell from hurriedness, "What's happening?" The headmaster's face which was full of excitement is now wearing a serious expression.
Vincent with fear in his eyes, answered a horrible news.
"The territory of Wolstice is being underrun by the monsters duke of Trovis fought in a subjugation.." Vincent collected some air before finally dropping the bomb, "..and currently, even outside the gates.. monsters are wreaking havoc."
I gasped and I heard the headmaster's mutter a curse.
Damn it. It's been just a day.. how did this happened?
Iarkial probably found out where I am!