After Lurecia left, the group that had arrived at the academy stood frozen in place. Alex, feeling a bit awkward in the situation, asked Ella:
— Hey, Ella! So… what are we supposed to do now?
Before Ella could answer, a group of maids appeared in front of each of them, bowing politely.
— Pardon us, but could you please follow us? We'll show you to your rooms.
Alex watched them, thinking:
(Unbelievable… all of them are stunning and charismatic.)
Ella said simply:
— Follow them. They'll take you to your rooms.
She then followed the maid ahead of her.
Alex watched her go, thinking:
(She really doesn't seem herself.)
Then it was his turn. He followed the maid assigned to him. Observing her from above, Alex thought:
(I can watch her over and over, and I always end up thinking the same thing: she's just too young.)
The maid turned around. She had a slightly round, cute face, shoulder-length blonde hair, and a confident voice.
— Aren't you a little young to be doing this job? she asked.
Alex, shocked, replied:
— Look in a mirror first!
— I'm serious. Even your friend following behind… you both really look like kids.
They walked a bit further before Alex snapped back:
— And you? Have you looked at yourself?
As they approached a large building, the girl replied calmly:
— I'm just a maid. Besides, Madam Lurecia considers me competent because I survived her training. You, however… I doubt you could even protect our princess.
Alex exhaled deeply and muttered:
— Think what you want, viper tongue!
— I'm not "Viper Tongue," she said, smirking. My name's Sophia.
Meanwhile, Ella arrived at a very spacious room. She stood by the window as maids brought in her belongings. She asked the maid who had guided her:
— Can you tell me where Alex and Karden are?
The maid, also blonde but taller and with long hair covering one eye, replied politely:
— If you mean the two young men serving as Princess Melty's guards, they're staying in a recently built building. That's where the close guards have been housed since it became common practice. That's all.
Ella thought for a moment, then asked:
— Has everyone else settled in already?
— Yes, they must be getting organized, the maid responded.
Melty could be seen in her room surrounded by numerous maids unpacking her belongings. Karden occupied a smaller room with only a few personal effects. Alex, meanwhile, was still with Sophia, in a room similar to Karden's.
Sophia said to him:
— Here's your room. It should be enough. Honestly, with only three trunks and two swords… you're really modest, kid.
Then she left the room, adding:
— See you, little brat.
Alex watched her go, exasperated.
(If she's considered competent, I really don't know where the world is headed.)
Back in Ella's room, she murmured:
— I hope they adjust quickly.
The maid standing before her looked at her firmly.
— Honestly, Ella, I wonder why you even came back. I know better than anyone how much you hate this place. You should have stayed away. The only person you should worry about is yourself.
Ella lowered her head and whispered:
— Maybe… you're right.
— Maybe? No! Now, I'll prepare a bath for you.
The maid bowed and started to leave, but Ella stopped her.
— Wait, Marie! Thank you… for everything.
Marie paused for a moment, then said:
— No need. I gave you a hard time, but you helped me without expecting anything in return.
She left.
Ella watched the maids organize her things, thinking:
(It hasn't been that long, but everything seems so different. So many new things… How did it all start? I can't help but wonder.)
She looked out the window. Rain had begun to fall, and people ran for shelter. The scene outside seemed almost unreal, as her mind drifted into memories.
Flashback
Loir, six years earlier
The city of Loir, northeast of Nora, is a true attraction. Like Doran, it's a border town, but far busier. Here lived an old man writing books on medicine.
Nox Lumano was a former healing mage. Having never had children, he had taken in a little girl who lived on the streets. He raised her, and she grew up. This ten-year-old girl, Ella, was special: she spent her time playing with spheres of light created by magic.
While Nox wrote his book, she approached him.
— Grandpa! Grandpa! Look at this! Isn't it amazing? I even imagined it myself!
Passersby stopped in front of the shop, surprised by the scene, but Ella didn't care at all. Nox put down his pen, stroked her head, and smiled.
— Very good, Ella. You're talented. You should even take magic lessons.
The little girl smiled back immediately.
— But I don't need lessons, Grandpa! I just want to be with you!
Nox leaned to respond, but accidentally knocked a shelf. A large bronze bowl fell toward him, and instinctively, Ella used telekinesis for the first time to stop it.
— Be careful, Grandpa! You could have hurt yourself!
Nox picked up the bowl, stunned.
(She's not kidding… No need to waste money on magic lessons.)
He set the bowl down, closed his book, and said:
— How about we go to the market and buy something for dinner?
Ella jumped with joy.
— Yes! Yes! Yes!
At the market, Ella used telekinesis to put apples back on a stall that had fallen, running and shouting:
— Hop! Hop! Come on, hop!
The merchant observed.
— Mr. Nox, isn't that Ella?
— The one and only, he replied, slightly embarrassed.
— She's incredibly talented. Have you considered sending her to the Royal Academy of Magic?
— No. She already hates lessons, and she's still too young.
Nox then saw Ella imitate a magician casting flames. She opened her hand and created fire. He gave her a tap on the head.
— I told you not to play with fire.
— But it's my first time! she protested.
(This girl is a prodigy…) thought the woman watching.
That night, after dinner, Nox put Ella to bed and continued writing by candlelight.
— Grandpa… where are Mom and Dad?
— I don't know. I found you in another town when you couldn't even speak.
— Do you miss them?
— Not at all. I'm happy with you.
— Me too.
— And… what are you writing?
— A book about love. A book about heroes.
— Heroes? You're always talking about him… but I don't care.
Then she added:
— Good night, Grandpa… my hero.
— Good night, my little prodigy.
The next day, Ella played mage in front of the shop. Suddenly, an out-of-control horse charged down the street. Nox pulled the coachman aside, but the horse charged again. Ella then created a magical barrier that knocked it out.
— Grandpa! Is everything okay?
Nox smiled… then collapsed, clutching his chest.
Ella's eyes filled with terror.
Ella (present):
(Thinking back… it all started there.)
(Yes… it all started there.)
NEXT CHAPTER:
Royal Academy – Act 1: Ella (The Little Girl of Magic) (2)