"I was quite surprised when you came to visit me today, right after we became friends! You love me that much? Hehe." Claudia giggled, delicately grabbing her tea cup as she took a sip.
"Sure sure, I love you so much Lady Claudia Hehe." I giggled along with her, "Anyway, I was here because of something else."
Claudia nodded, it seemed she already knew what I was talking about.
"Hm? Ah right, you're probably talking about the prestigious academy located in our sector, correct?"
"Right, I wanted to know more about this so called prestigious academy."
Claudia looked to the maid beside the door within the living room, the door gently closed behind the maid and the steps slowly faded away. Dad sat awkwardly while staring at the décor that were around the room.
"Prestigious?" Dad inquired while he readjusted himself.
"Yes, the prestigious Kūkyo Academy." Claudia answered, placing a sugar cube into her tea.
"Kūkyo.. Kūkyo.. If I recall, Cyrielle attended that Academy."
"She did? How come you guys didn't tell me that-" I was instantly cut off as Claudia abruptly leaned over the table that separated us.
"The Cyrielle? Ah! You're her daughter?!" Her eyes widening.
"I'm confused, 'The Cyrielle'?"
"I remember hearing it from the headmaster a few years ago when my father brought me along with him. She was one of if not the top scholar for the Academy! Her portrait and name are in the Honour's Hall for excelling in the study of Aether, vastly improving the knowledge of what Aether is, and even creating a new formula!"
"I don't remember her having 'Rhin' printed on her portrait though.." She quickly added. I was surprised, and from Dad's expression too, he too was just as shocked as I was. Who knew she was such a bigshot back in the day?
Was Rhin, perhaps Dad's surname? Dad looked at me, shaking his head like he already knew what I was thinking. We were getting off track, even though I was intrigued by my mother's past, today was supposed to be about the Academy.
"Besides that, Claudia, tell me more about the academy."
"The academy has many areas of studies. Aether and Aura, and their sub-fields, history, science, weapon-related fields and well, more. The Academy also runs many types of programs such as clubs, events, activities, and a committee that only a select few can join."
The door opened and the one who stood before us was most likely Claudia's father. Wearing imperial clothing, donned in a purple and gold embroidery finely embedded into his clothing. His hair blond and slicked back, eyes of a deep hazel, and a full beard that was well kept. He stood next to Claudia, while she continued to sit.
"So this is your friend, when I heard you made a friend I expected.." The man paused, a look of disgust. "More."
"Watch your tone, Father." It was the first time I saw her hiss at someone, especially to her own father.
"Apologies my sweet flower." Although his tone lightened, it didn't feel like he had any thought of changing what he thought of us.
"What brings you two to my abode?"
"Sorry, my daughter just wanted to know more about Kūkyo Academy. We have no ill intentions really." Dad's hands gestured frantically, answering quickly.
"Oh really? You, go to Kūkyo Academy? Hah, I'll be surprised if you can-" Claudia aggressively nudged him with her arm, in the other she took another sip of her tea. "I presume you're trying to get the scholarship? I hope you'll succeed."
"Moving on, Lia, your rings look so pretty! Do they do anything-"
Simultaneously as Claudia started to walk over to look at my ring, a loud sound buzzed through the kingdom, was it sound magic?
[ Attention! ]
[ Please do not be alarmed. ]
Alarmed?
[ I, King Dale Vance say this so as to not make a panic within the kingdom, but instead mourn the fallen. ]
[ With the attempt of the execution of Lauv Godwin, Z-rank party, Roy Stiefal, Frey and Grid Altein have unfortunately failed and have all been confirmed, dead. ]
They, died? Three Z-ranks had died to one.. Barbarian? Three of the strongest had fallen to one man? Although I hadn't known Roy for very long, the few days I had spent with Roy was incredible. What he had taught me as well, and what he had shown me made me feel close to him, I felt an inexplicable rage swell up within. Lauv Godwin.
Roy had already forewarned that this would happen, and yet I still felt a throbbing pain in my chest. Why? Why did he die? He could've ran, he could've escaped! He didn't have to die! What reason was there to just die? My eyes blurred, and the feeling of tears ran down my face. I sat in silence, no one else was saying either, and I didn't want to see what they felt.
I knew that they didn't feel as sad as I did, he was my teacher, not theirs.
[ Their bravery and honor will forever be remembered within our hearts and within history. ]
[ Please pay your respects in the upcoming funeral that is to come very soon. ]
Lauv Godwin, Roy had said it before in the letter, and I had forgotten all about it, thinking it was an inconvenience. An inconvenience to need to remember someone whoI didn't care about. However, I now had a reason.
The sounds of something being clawed made me look up, sweat practically dripping from their faces as they looked at me, as if they had run multiple marathons in a day. Did I do something wrong? I was grieving and yet, they all had faces injected with fear. Dad's hand gripped his mouth shakily.
"Did I.. Did I do something?" I asked, Claudia's father hung onto the chair where Claudia sat.
"What.. Huff.. What was that..?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Sir.. Helt?"
"Lia.. You-" Dad was interrupted by Claudia.
"Lia! Are you okay?" She hugged me tightly, I sat confused, there was too much happening, too many emotions that overwhelmed my thought process.
"I'm- I'm fine, just confused and- and I don't know what's going on."
"I'm sorry for your loss Lia. You're going to be okay." Claudia reassured.
"Mr.?" Claudia's father asked, he looked to have regained composure, whereas Dad looked to be confused as to where he was.
"Huh? Oh right, Mr. Rhin. Flynn Rhin."
"Lione Helt. I presume you'll be fine with my decision, I will cover any expenses of your abode and you and your daughter will be living here temporarily. This is to monitor any other signs of this unusual incident."
Dad and I nodded at each other before he accepted Lione's decision. I myself didn't know what they were talking about, but to be monitored? "Yes of course, I agree."
"In any case, please treat this place like it's yours. And you." He pointed toward me. "I'll help you get that scholarship."
This was more confusing, why? I didn't verbally ask, it was beneficial to me and I wasn't going to refuse. I stood up and bowed quickly.
"If there's anything you two need, ask the maids or butlers. There'll be a schedule given to you, to train for the entrance exam and the scholarship." He looked at the clock stuck to the wall before adding, "A maid will show you your rooms, I'll be off now."
The maid beside the door opened it and Lione exited. So much happened that I didn't know what to think of first. Roy's passing, Lauv Godwin, a sudden incident? Lione's support, and now living somewhere else all in a day?
Could the day get any crazier? Shortly, a maid and a butler entered and separated my father and I to our new rooms.