The double door stood open as a beautiful figure slipped by. Her beautiful orange eye shadow completed the look of her black pearly eyes and flicked eyelashes that could govern any man with a gentle glance. Her slim body was beautiful to the last contour. She was wearing a beautiful vest, but even that couldn't hide the pair of assets that turned man into a ravaging beast. However, her face was sharp, and she had high cheekbones. She was as hot as she was glam, as powerful as she was strict.
Her boots resounded clearly as she approached the principal. Her bearing was cold and unapproachable but the way she carried herself birthed respect and fear.
"Do you need me?" asked Lorelai as she whisked her hair behind her shoulder.
"Did you answer the call to Lufrath?" asked Indus.
"I've been thinking about it, what of it?" asked Lorelai furrowing her brows.
"I understand that Braun the Indomitable has invited you directly, but are you sure you want to enter the military?" asked Indus. "The Elabra Academy needs you here as well."
"This kingdom as well," said Lorelai, one of her hands on her hip. "Besides, without Master Braun, I wouldn't be who I am today."
"I..." Indus sighed, "I understand."
"Is that all? I doubt that's all," Lorelai frowned. "What is it?"
"Why don't you take a seat first?" Indus suggested, his tone calm and measured.
Lorelai remained standing, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The sharpness in her eyes made it clear—she had no intention of sitting down.
"Perhaps, I can persuade you to stay a little longer," said Indus with a wry smile.
Lorelai furrowed her brows as she swayed a little, "Hmm? Why are you so adamant about me staying here?"
"At least until the Pasrih Academy Competition that's all I asked," said Indus, "I don't want to keep you here as well, but at least, until that one point."
"You didn't answer my question," Lorelai snorted and the papers on Indus's desk fluttered away.
Indus took a deep sigh before picking up the papers on the floor. "You, Lorelai, are simply the best teacher in Elabra Academy. The rest are just in it for the people's tax money." he neatly stacked them before putting them back on the desk.
"That credit goes to Master Braun," said Lorelai. "I just copy his way of teaching."
"He was also the best teacher of Elabra in his time," said Indus with a sigh.
"Did you ask him to stay as well?" Lorelai raised her brows.
"He... refuse," Indus sighs.
"Hah," Lorelai laughed mockingly. And what makes you think I won't say no to you as well? What a joke!" She turned around and left for the door.
Indus sat down, "Perhaps you want to help a fellow villager?"
Lorelai paused and her cloak swayed a little. "Someone from Kairan?" she turned around.
"You and Reikh were in the same class, both are the best, and you are from Kairan," said Indus. "Perhaps you might want to be his private tutor? A homeroom teacher?"
"Did the village head tell you to do this?" asked Lorelai as she raised her chin with a mocking look.
"Well, half of it, I guess," said Indus. "I mean, he didn't specifically ask me to ask you, but I just thought that you both heralded from Kairan, perhaps it would be easier for you two to connect, wouldn't you do the same if you were me?"
Lorelai sighed, "Whose child is it?"
Indus brushed his white beard as if stroking it would dig into his memories. "I have no clue. The letter from Old Gir didn't mention anything about his parents."
"Is it Malfoy?" asked Lorelai. Wait, that can't be right, Malfoy is around five or seven this year, a far cry from coming of age.
"No, it's not Malfoy," said Indus. "His name is Arakh Xei. Does that ring a bell?"
Lorelai's crossed arms loosened as her eyes blinked after a pause. Her succulent lips parted a bit before her brows grew deep into the glabella. Her memories returned to the match under the watch of Master Braun when she was eleven and Arakh was ten. It ended in Arakh's close victory, but that was...
"Don't play with me, Indus!" Lorelai stomped and the stack of papers fluttered away. Through the falling papers, Indus could see the rage on her face.
"What?" Indus furrowed his brows in confusion. "What's the matter? Is he a problematic kid?"
"Kind of, but that's not the problem!" Lorelai slammed her hand on the table, "Arakh Xei is dead! He couldn't be Arakh Xei!"
"L-Listen Lorelai, I may have grown old, but I'm not senile enough to see things!" said Indus with a gulp.
"He is dead, I was there when it happened," Lorelai's tone deepened. "His father went missing after his grandmother's death. Her mother went outside of Pasrih, everyone in the village knows this."
"You mean Gir is lying to me?" Indus brushed his white beard again, "No, that can't be right, I think he passed his 'pranking' era."
Lorelai frowned in contemplation. He's right, there is no way the village head would use Arakh's name for a benefit, what he would gain? Nothing that I could think of, but then again, he did send a boy here in Elabra Academy.
Lorelai turned around and her cloak fluttered, "I need to get to the bottom of this, where is he?"
"According to the procedure, he should be following Eli to his dorm," said Indus standing up. "Do you need my help?"
"No," Lorelai pushed the door open.
"DOES THAT MEAN YOU ARE STAYING FOR A WHILE?" Indus put his hands on his lips to increase the volume only to be answered with the slam of the double doors. Is that a yes?
Outside the door, Lorelai tucked her hair behind her earlobe before she made a swift run as if the wind guided her. She made a sudden turn and entered the training ground. And traverse through the students in the middle of their combat training.
"Ah?" one student was distracted whilst slipping.
"Huh?" another looked down and noticed that she was sliding down from the arch of fire that he made.
"Eh? Another student looked up and her shadow enveloped him as she jumped over a wall of dirt.
"Was that, Master Lorelai?" one female student gazed at the fleeting figure, her hands clutched with worries.
The air buzzed with the hum of weapons clashing, but Lorelai's focus was unyielding. She weaved through the training grounds like a phantom, her cloak a blur. Students paused mid-strike, whispers trailing behind her. "Master Lorelai? What's she in such a hurry for?"
Meanwhile, Arakh was still walking side by side with Eli. However, his face was not as enthusiastic as a few minutes ago. He slouched his shoulders forward, "I know that this place is big, but how many hours does it take just to get to my room?"
Eli chuckled, "You will get used to it, everyone is reacting the same the first time."
I can only imagine the horror of having to piss, I can't even sp—
"Hmm?" Arakh's ears twitched, catching the faint sound of something—or someone—approaching at great speed.
"Do we have some sort of running competition going on?" he asked casually, his stride unfaltering.
"What? No, we don't," Eli replied, rolling her eyes. This kid really has a knack for asking the most random things, she thought.
"Is running in the hallway even allowed?" Arakh's steps slowed as a hint of hesitation crept into his voice, his head tilting slightly toward the sound.
Lorelai's sharp gaze locked onto the boy walking alongside Eli. Her pace quickened, boots pounding against the stone floor, but her brows furrowed deeper with every step. No... it can't be...
"Well, as long as you are being careful," said Eli nodding.
"Ehmm, how fast is being careful?" Arakh paused and turned to her face. He gave a wry smile, the smile of a helpless boy.
"Careful enough not to fall," said Eli, "What's wron—"
Eli froze as Arakh was yanked away in an instant. Her heart dropped as she caught a glimpse of the cloaked figure. Lorelai?! What is she doing?! Gritting her teeth, she took off after them, her shoes slamming against the stone floor. "Master Lorelai! What's going on?! Stop!"
Arakh found himself on the floor and his neck was being pressed by a powerful grip as he was pinned down. He looked up and his eyes widened, but he was not the only one, Lorelai as well.
Lorelai's breath escaped her lungs as she looked at the features on Arakh's face. It was unmistakeably familiar. "Impossible..."
Arakh grabbed her wrists and gently pushed her hands away, gasping for air as he spoke. "N-Nice to see you again, Lorelai... It's been ten years."
Lorelai's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice trembling as she stammered, "A... Arakh? Is it really you?"