Elyandra stopped on the doorstep of room 12, the words of apology still echoing in the air. His golden eyes widened. Before her, a figure she had already met a few times that day and who, in a way, rivaled her own aura of nobility revealed himself.
There she was: Seraphina Vancroft. The long black hair framed his serene face, and the characteristic bangs partially covered one of his eyes. It was impossible for Elyandra's memories not to remember her; the young woman from House Vancroft, the Lady of the Sea, who exuded unwavering class and composure.
The air between them seemed to vibrate with a silent tension. Elyandra had imagined sharing a room with some minor noblewoman, or perhaps even a stranger. But Seraphina Vancroft? That was unexpected.
Seraphina, with the same composure as always, looked up from the book in her hands.
"You don't have to worry, Lady Valemortis. I was just getting ahead of my reading.
She was dressed in her usual noble clothes, impeccably groomed, even in what would be a moment of rest. The book in her hands had a familiar cover, and Elyandra noticed that it was a tome about imperial navigation, something she had seen in the Valemortis family library but had never had time to read. A glimmer of interest, almost a silent fascination, flickered in Elyandra's golden eyes, but Seraphina didn't notice it.
Elyandra stepped away from the door, her eyes still staring at the thin figure of Seraphina sitting on one of the beds in the room. She made her way to the other bed, her thoughts wandering. "It's interesting, indeed, to share a room with a lady of high class," Elyandra pondered. She was used to living with the high nobility, but Seraphina exuded a different aura, something she didn't see in the other noble children. It was a maturity, a presence that distinguished her.
With graceful movements, Elyandra sat on the other bed, her hands resting calmly on her legs, watching Seraphina in silence.
Both were only nine years old, but their minds exuded a dynamic of old souls. That intrigued Elyandra deeply. In her own eyes, she was a reincarnated, nine-year-old girl with the mind of a man who was already past thirty when she left her world. However, the girl in front of him, Seraphina, was the same age as nine years old, but with a thin posture, a calmness, and a seriousness that seemed to belong to someone much older. It was, in fact, intriguing.
Elyandra scanned the room with her eyes, admiring the fine and noble structure, just as she expected from a dormitory at the Royal Academy. As he watched every detail, his eyes landed on Seraphina's suitcase, elegantly arranged next to her bed. It was a shock. A chill ran down Elyandra's spine as she realized that she had not prepared a suitcase beforehand.
His hand went up to his chin, his mind buzzing in search of a solution. "How stupid of me not to have researched what the tests or the routine would be like here," he thought, self-criticism hitting hard. "Now I'll have to sort it out somehow."
His gaze turned to Seraphina. "She is a high-class noblewoman, naturally an example. Just like me. I can't show a composure less than hers. I need to think of something, or my first impression of her will be of a relaxed noblewoman." The pressure to maintain her image as a noble model was immense, and that unexpected detail took her by surprise.
Seraphina then looked up at Elyandra, her eyes conveying an icy glow, but with a certain charm that Elyandra didn't fail to notice. Elyandra kept her composure, her mask of exemplary nobleman remaining perfect.
"I apologize for interrupting your thoughts, Lady Valemortis," Seraphina said, her voice calm and collected.
Elyandra frowned, not quite understanding.
"What are you referring to, Lady Vancroft?"
Seraphina turned her face to the side, looking away from Elyandra, and continued, her noble tone unchanged:
"I was the first to arrive, I immersed myself in my book and forgot to tell you that some servants from House Valemortis had brought your suitcase. They left her by the door, and I picked her up, leaving her under her bed.
Elyandra took a few moments to assimilate the information.
"Below?" Thank you for your care.
"I have a certain touch of caution," Seraphina replied. "I wanted to leave your suitcase in a more private place, so to speak.
Elyandra analyzed Seraphina's speech, realizing that there was no malice or mischievous thoughts in her words. His own thoughts calmed down.
"It's all right, Lady Vancroft."
Seraphina then asked, maintaining her noble and serious tone, befitting a lady of high class:
"Were you worried about the fate of the suitcase?"
Elyandra disguised it with a slight smile.
"That wasn't quite what was going through my mind.
Seraphina placed her bookmark between the pages of the book and stood up, saying:
"Allow me to get your suitcase for you."
Elyandra, also getting up to get her own suitcase, replied:
"You don't have to bother.
However, both acted at the same time. With a not very noble move, they clashed. Seraphina, with her unexpected strength, ended up knocking Elyandra down, falling on her. Elyandra's golden eyes met Seraphina's blues. Both crossed paths for a brief moment.
Elyandra stared at her with a calm look, though in her mind she thought, "That's a problem." She had hit her head on the side of the bed. It wasn't fatal, but a nagging pain pulsated, and she struggled to disguise it.
Seraphina stared at her with the same serious gaze, a barely perceptible glint of surprise in her eyes. She lifted her face, pulling it away from Elyandra's, but it still remained on her.
"I apologize, Lady Elyandra," Seraphina said. "It was not my intention to knock her down.
Elyandra, still feeling the slight pain in her head, replied:
"It's all right, Lady Vancroft."
When Elyandra tried to get up, Seraphina's hand landed on her shoulder, keeping her on the ground. Elyandra was surprised, but did not undo her noble mask. Seraphina's hand then reached out, approaching Elyandra's face, who wondered what it was. A certain tension hung in Elyandra's mind, until Seraphina's hand passed her and grabbed the handle of Elyandra's suitcase, pulling her from under the bed.
They both stood up next, with Seraphina apologizing again and Elyandra assuring her that everything was fine.
They stared at each other for a few seconds. Seraphina then returned to her bed and picked up the book again. Elyandra sighed for a moment, sat up on her own bed and opened her suitcase. There were his nightclothes and other clothes for the days of the test. She let out a faint sigh before noticing a letter.
He thought it was his mother's, and a delicious warmth spread in his chest for her attention. He picked up the letter to read, but his gaze became a mixture of empty smile and empty eyes.
"I can't believe it..." she said, her voice almost a whisper.
The letter was from his father. In it, Lord Valemortis wrote that he had noticed that Elyandra had not realized that she would not be returning home for a while, so he had requested that the handmaidens prepare the clothes for her and wished his daughter good trials.
Elyandra closed her suitcase and pondered for a few long minutes that it was better to go to sleep. It was late, and fatigue was beginning to be present. Sighing lightly, she got up from the bed, opening the suitcase again. She picked up her nightwear, but her eyes soon scanned the room, noticing the lack of a bathroom or somewhere where she could change. The question "Where am I going to change to go to sleep?" hovered in his mind.
Suddenly, a yawning sound caught his attention. She looked back and saw Seraphina covering her mouth with her hand. The noblewoman of House Vancroft closed the book, declaring that it was enough reading for now, and stood up. Elyandra accompanied her with a curious look. Seraphina took her own suitcase, placed it on the bed, and grabbed her nightwear. Elyandra, realizing that the girl was also going to change, saw a chance to find out where to do it.
In a noble way, she asked:
"Lady Vancroft, do you know where we could change?"
Seraphina turned her gaze to her, noting Elyandra's noble and habitual expression. Then he looked back to his suitcase and replied:
"I don't know a specific place for this, nor do I see the need. We are nobles of high class, and I, at least, am used to being exchanged for my servants.
"Well, I'm used to being exchanged for other people too, especially when Siris served me," Elyandra thought. "But here the issue is different."
Elyandra turned her eyes forward, again immersed in her thoughts about where she would change. A zipper sound opening caught his attention, and a certain chill rose up his spine. She looked back from the corner of her eye and came across Seraphina opening the side of her skirt. Before she could see anything else, Elyandra threw her nightwear back into her suitcase and snapped it shut. Then he grabbed the suitcase and ran to the door, opening and closing it in sequence.
Seraphina noticed Elyandra's sudden departure and wondered:
"What was that?"
Outside the room, as she desperately searched her mind for where the dorm bathroom was, Elyandra thought, her mental voice charged with disbelief, "How can people have the ability to do something like that? Not even in my past life would I dream of even sharing a public bath. People's shamelessness is frightening!"
Elyandra eventually found a toilet and changed, making sure there was no one around. She moved back to her room like a cat fleeing from the rain, taking care that no one would see her on her return. When he entered the room, he came across Seraphina, who was already sleeping peacefully.
Elyandra's face finally allowed her mask to fall, revealing an expression of pure incredulity. In a barely audible whisper, she muttered:
"It's amazing how someone can sleep with the door open.
She was overwhelmed by the tranquility on Seraphina's face.
Not caring much about Seraphina's quirk, Elyandra made her way to her bed, placing her suitcase at her feet. He lay down and covered himself, defending himself from the cold that was beginning to settle. He stared at the ceiling for long minutes, his eyes attentive, as if waiting for something. She felt somewhat melancholy and alone, a bitter feeling that filled her. She wanted someone to say something, anything, so she could use a little more of her strength. But only silence accompanied her.
Turning her face to Seraphina's bed, she saw her sleeping peacefully. "It's strange to be out of the house," thought Elyandra. "I'm not sure if that's what I want now... No! What kind of thinking is this? I didn't come here to give up now!"
With a light slap on her own face, which hurt a little, Elyandra threw out her insecurity, she then checked if Seraphina had noticed anything. However, the roommate continued to sleep soundly. Elyandra sighed, closed her eyes, and finally fell asleep.
The sun was slowly rising, its first rays of golden light barely reaching the bedroom window, indicating that it was still the end of the night. Seraphina stood up with her usual noble grace. She opened her suitcase and took a comb, starting to comb her black hair, her eyes following each strand with precision and care.
As he prepared himself, a thought occurred to him. "It's true, I'm sharing a room with Lady Elyandra." She remembered her roommate and, with a slight deviation from looking at the bed next to her, thought, "Did I wake her up?"
Seraphina turned to check on Elyandra, but found the bed perfectly made and Elyandra's suitcase arranged in front of her. The scene surprised her. Seraphina blinked, puzzled. "What could Lady Elyandra be doing at this time of the morning?"
Outside the dorm, Elyandra stretched and stretched, the cold morning breeze hitting her face and sending little shivers down her skin. She was wearing her workout clothes and thought, "I'm glad they put on my workout clothes. If I stop training now, I'll be relaxed and lazy, so I need to put my morning training into practice right away."
As she rubbed her hands together to generate a little heat before warming her face, she began to run. Her slow steps became faster as she built up a pace. Her hair was swaying and she controlled her breathing so she wouldn't get tired quickly. After making a complete loop around the campus, she stopped, panting and sweating on her face.
"Compared to my past life, I have a lot more stamina even as a child," she thought. "I'm tired, but I'm sure any kid my age would have stopped before they had even run a fifth of that distance that I did. I don't know if I'm happy or angry that I was that miserable sedentary."
Elyandra then prostrated herself on the floor and began to do push-ups, then sit-ups and, finally, squats. After finishing his physical workouts, he sat near a garden, brought his legs together in a meditation pose, and began to feel his mana flow. She began to use her divine magic, generating a golden aura around her. He felt the divine power run through his veins and skin, a smile took over his face before ceasing to use it.
She then stood up and looked up, noticing the sun's glow forming.
"I've never had the chance to run in such a wide place even training with Dalia," she said. "Anyway, the next stage of the race is today, I need to make an effort.
She stared at his hand before squeezing it tightly.
Elyandra returned inside the dormitory and went to the bedroom. When he entered, he noticed that Seraphina was no longer there. She took her new clothes and left the room, heading without thinking too much to the showers in the bedroom. When she entered, she realized that the place was empty, which left her calm.
Elyandra took off her clothes and entered one of the cabins, which contained showers and bathtubs. It was a refined place, with a marble design, beautiful and tranquil. She washed herself in a hot bath, wiping away sweat from her morning workout and warding off sleep. After washing her hair and feeling refreshed, she went out and changed her clothes. When he opened the cabin door, he noticed that other people were starting to come out of their own rooms in the dormitory.
Elyandra now wore her standard attire. As she returned to her room, she saw some people staring at her and wished them all good morning. The buzz about her continued, with people admiring her presence. She held her workout clothes neatly folded and smiled happily with her pure maiden mask.
As she entered the room, Elyandra sighed. Quickly, she put her dirty clothes in her suitcase, separating them from the clean ones in an organized way, and took her iconic black bow. Slowly, she tied him behind her head, pinning his hair. He went to the door, opened it, and finally started his day.
As she walked through the corridors filled with nobles, Elyandra attracted glances. She found the attention uncomfortable, feeling a blush rise to her face, which she disguised under the warm smile of a noblewoman. She demonstrated the politeness she had received for years, exchanging "good morning" in an impeccable way.
As he went down the stairs from the dormitory, he came across the main hall. There, Celestina Lyra, the noblewoman with short hair and golden eyes like Elyandra's, was surrounded by nobles. Celestina seemed clearly in trouble; Several people asked him questions, and the tone of shame and fear was stamped on his face. Elyandra recognized the situation and thought, with a faint, comical laugh, "It looks like Celestina is in trouble. I understand better than anyone what you're going through."
She gave a faint sigh, considering that perhaps it would be better to avoid that event. However, more and more nobles gathered around Celestina, who was beginning to be drowned by questions. Elyandra faced the situation again, several thoughts circling her mind. She let out a long sigh and concluded, "I'm going to hate myself too much, but I think that's the right thing to do."
Elyandra then walked towards the crowd of people. As he descended the stairs, his presence attracted the attention of other nobles; Her posture reverberated an aura beyond the standard, even more evident for a nine-year-old girl. Soon, the nobles surrounding Celestina stopped their questions and turned to see Elyandra. Immediately, a new buzz began.
Elyandra listened to the whispers. In her visible countenance, she maintained the best noble posture expected; inside, however, it was seething with anguish and shame. The nobles around that scene observed two sides of the same coin, so distinct that they hardly looked similar, even though they shared certain situations. They saw Elyandra, a high-caste noblewoman with an impeccable aura, perfect posture and a tone enviable even to the most influential, a girl who carried the golden eyes of the Saint. On the other side, Celestina, also a high-caste noblewoman, accompanied by an unparalleled purity, an embarrassed posture, an affectionate and shy tone, also a girl who carried the weight of being a Saint.
In that environment, the only thing that differentiated them was the fact that Elyandra carried the pure-bloods' earring, an item that was clearly noticed by other nobles, generating new buzzes. Elyandra let out a slight cough, covered by her hand, which caught the attention of those present. He lowered his hand, leaving them in front of his body, and said:
"Good morning, everyone.
Everyone responded with a "good morning". Elyandra then looked at Celestina and asked:
"Lady Lyra, would you like to accompany me for a moment?"
Celestina was speechless, her voice somewhat trembling answered:
"Y-yes...
Elyandra passed by Celestina, who followed her with her eyes. For a moment, the golden gazes of both of them crossed. Celestina felt an unparalleled connectivity with Elyandra. On the other hand, Elyandra saw in the girl the countenance of a newborn cat. "She looks like a lost cat looking for her owner, it's even cute." Elyandra thought, a faint smile playing on her lips.
At that same moment, Elyandra looked straight ahead and continued walking. Celestina hurried her pace to follow Elyandra, and together they left the dormitory, following a path through the gardens. Silence accompanied them, and Elyandra looked around, enjoying the environment she had not had time to observe before.
Suddenly, something stopped his walk. Something wrapped around her hand with warmth, and at the same moment, she was gently pulled back. Elyandra didn't understand what had happened, her mind wandering. She looked back and saw Celestina holding her hand.
"Lady Lyra... Need something? Elyandra asked.
Celestina, her voice still somewhat trembling, replied:
"Ah... yes, thank you for your help, Lady Valemortis.
Elyandra smiled. She turned, now released by Celestina, and said:
"You don't have to worry about that. Even I don't like crowds, so it was somewhat easy for me to identify that you needed help.
Celestina heard Elyandra's words and a genuine smile danced on her lips.
"Thank you," she replied, her voice firmer.
Elyandra turned around again.
"Now, if I may, I'd like some coffee." Would you keep me company for breakfast?
Celestina blushed slightly, her golden eyes shining.
"A-I'd love to!" He stammered, a shy enthusiasm in his voice.
Elyandra and Celestina headed to the gym's canteen, a room that echoed the grandeur already seen in the other environments. It was no ordinary canteen; It was an extension of the luxury and opulence that permeated every inch of the institution. The doors opened to a vast space, bathed in a soft light that came from large windows with white and gold stained glass, casting intricate patterns on the polished marble floor that reflected everything around.
The atmosphere was full of nobles, already gathered for breakfast and preparing for the long day of exams. The buzz of voices was restrained but constant, a sound of cutlery and porcelain cups clinking softly. Long, rustic tables of dark, solid wood stretched across the hall, adorned with immaculate linen tablecloths and fresh flower arrangements.
On them, a variety of fine dishes, designed for breakfast, were available. There were silver trays filled with artisanal breads of various shapes, exotic jams in crystal jars, fine cheeses, and rare fruit slices that looked like jewelry. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries filled the air, mingling with the subtle smell of beeswax and polished wood.
Everything there exuded the Victorian vibe that Elyandra had already noticed, with the white and gold color palette dominating the scenery, giving the canteen an air of almost sacred refinement. The nobles themselves, with their elegant robes and trained postures, served themselves with a delicacy that transformed the act of eating into a ceremony.
Elyandra and Celestina joined the line, ready to enjoy the meal that would prepare them for the day's challenges.
Elyandra watched the options in front of her, a barely perceptible smile playing on her lips. So many delights, and his "old me" mind that loved sweets longed to taste them all. But there, she would contain herself. She varied the plate, taking few things and in small quantities, a gesture of self-control that did not go unnoticed.
Celestina followed her, watching her and, in a way, imitating her, sometimes picking up the same items and, at others, trying to copy her refined gestures.
After finishing serving herself, Elyandra went to the only empty table in the far corner of the room and sat down. The choice caught the attention of the other nobles; after all, a lady of high class like her usually positioned herself in a prominent place. Even Celestina was surprised.
"Lady Valemortis... Why did you choose this table? Celestina whispered, sitting next to her.
Elyandra turned her eyes to Celestina, her expression curious.
"What do you mean by that, Lady Lyra?"
Celestina then crossed her fingers over the plate, looking at it shyly.
"Well... It's just that we are nobles of the upper caste, it's not in our nature to be in more ... Detachable? Staying in corners like this is usually a choice of nobles of very low caste.
At that moment, Elyandra felt a shock. She had made a serious mistake, momentarily forgetting her status because she was focused on the meal. Her mind exploded in search of an answer, as she noticed the suspicious looks of other nobles.
With a refined posture and tone, Elyandra asked:
"Lady Lyra, do you think we are superior to the other nobles here?"
Celestina corou, gesticulating shyly.
"N-no!" Lady Valemortis, we are all equal in the eyes of the Goddess!
Elyandra smiled in a refined and enlightened way. Here was the opportunity she wanted.
"Exactly, Lady Lyra. Indeed, we are high-caste nobles, but we are all equal in the eyes of the Goddess. I don't see these nobles around us as inferior to me. Therefore, I will always choose that both they and I have the same treatment.
Such an illuminated speech made everyone there surprised. The low-caste nobles, in particular, were deeply happy to be noticed and valued by a noblewoman of such stature. Elyandra, in turn, noticed the commotion she had caused and realized that she had managed to divert future problems related to "noble idiocies", as she herself thought.
Celestina blushed intensely, turning her gaze forward and covering her mouth and nose with her hands. His golden eyes sparkled, the excitement palpable. She watched Elyandra, that high-class girl, with an almost reverential admiration. The aura between the two was distinctly different: Celestina felt close to a deity, while Elyandra, in turn, ate her meal in a noble way, but with a high joy at finally being able to taste so many delights.
After savoring the last bite of her sweet bread and taking the last sip of coffee, Elyandra finished her meal. With the grace that was peculiar to him, he stood up and, with a fluid movement, carried his plate and cup to the disposal site, making sure that everything was perfectly organized. Celestina, with an almost adorable enthusiasm, followed her closely, imitating her every gesture with a quiet devotion.
They both left the canteen, the morning buzz of the hall diminishing as they walked away. Elyandra was already preparing for the next stage of the day when, as she turned down the hall, she came across a familiar figure, whose imposing presence filled the space: Armand Velacroix. He was standing there, his elegant posture and a smile that seemed eternal, as if he were waiting for them.
Elyandra took the initiative, a slight bow and a clear greeting.
"Good morning, Professor Armand."
Celestina, close behind, hurried to do the same, her voice a little softer.
"Good morning, Professor.
Armand smiled, his blue eyes watching the two young women.
"Good morning to you too, Lady Valemortis, Lady Lyra."
He was leafing through a small book that seemed to contain quick notes. With a nimble motion, she closed it and stretched, the defined muscles of her arms stretching beneath the thin tissue. A defiant, almost amused look appeared on his face as he turned to the girls.
"Ready for the second test?"
A subtle but palpable aura emanated from him, reflecting over the two of them. Celestina retreated an almost imperceptible step, a sudden fear in her golden eyes as she felt the intensity of that contained power. Elyandra, however, only smiled, her posture unshaken.
"Certainly, Professor Armand.
Elyandra's calm and confident response echoed in the hallway, the promise of a new challenge hanging in the air.