I stood in front of a mirror, wearing a white shirt with black slacks that Uncle Leynon had just prepared and sent me a while ago. I was buttoning up the white shirt one by one, looking thoughtfully at the mirror in front of me. I felt a little strange, because my face was a little brighter today than the day before. But this time I really meant it, because I admit that before I always did self-service just to boost my spirits and confidence. But today it really looked brighter.
And suddenly, I heard the door of the room being knocked on before it opened, making a creaking sound like an old door. I, who was reaching for the tie that had been laid on the bed, turned my face toward that person.
"Are you almost ready?" Eva stood there leaning against the door while crossing her arms.
I just nodded my head a few times slowly and then faced myself in front of the mirror to tie the tie around my neck.
After finishing putting on the tie, I looked at Eva again. She just stood there, not moving at all. And I just realized that she also seemed to have just prepared herself to go out, seeing that she was wearing clothes that were almost the same as mine.
"Where do you wanna go?" I asked while walking slowly toward her.
"Where else? Don't we have to go to the academy right now?" Eva's voice raised a little to remind me.
Oh yeah. I forgot, my academy, Elodia Academy has a full boarding system. So we have to be there for a month continuously. Mr. Ranzel must have felt bad yesterday because a pair of his students suddenly disappeared from there without any traces being left.
My head peeked out of the room and turned my neck to the right. A shoulder bag and luggage bag were right next to the corridor wall. Those might be Eva's. Eva have asked me to get ready and leave here before noon, yesterday. When I think about it, the journey from here took 3 days to arrive.
Considering the distance between Evergrant and Elodia Academy is so far, maybe Eva and I will use the portal. If I'm not mistaken. The period for Elodia Academy students to enter the academy is every weekend from when the sun is exactly in the center of the sky until it sets at the end of Mount Elodaria which is in the west of the academy.
"Today is the weekend, so are we going there using the portal again?" I asked Eva after checking her bags and going back into the room to pack my clothes that I had just dried on the balcony of the room.
Speaking of the balcony, the view is no less beautiful, but compared to the front, this balcony faces the back of this manor which presents a wide green field filled with various living things such as fruits and vegetables growing and animals such as cows, horses and goats. In the middle of it is like placing the stables and a place to ride them.
Although it's a bit blurry, I can still see at the end of the field there are estate that is probably for those who are hired to work and maintain all the affairs in this field. The estate has two identical buildings. Probably separates each gender. From my assumption, the bright red estate is for men while the pale yellow estate is for women since I noticed that those who work wear clothes that match the color of the exterior of their estate.
After taking the slightly damp shirt and pants, I went straight into the room and closed the balcony door. I headed to the wardrobe because I was sure there was a canvas bag there. I came here without bringing anything to stuff my clothes because I had just experienced the tragedy. Fortunately, this guest house provided various things to make problems easier even though the problem was small.
The clothes are already put away, the bed is also neatly made, the toilet is also flushed. Even though I am in a noble house, my mother's message will never be disappeared from my memory.
When you go to someone's house, you must show manners and respect, understand, Louis?
after making sure everything was neat, organized and tidy as usual, I headed straight to Eva who still didn't move from there even an inch.
it seemed like she really had nothing else to do even though she was talented. don't high achievers usually have a busy schedule no matter where they are? I was the one thinking and just smiling thinking about that. Maybe, not everyone are busy as a bee?
***
We walked along the aisle of this manor. Bags and luggage were placed on a trolley pushed by a male porter in a white uniform with a black tie. I could hear every step clearly, since only the three of us were passing through this street.
Although it was quiet, it wasn't as gloomy as an abandoned house because every window's curtains on the side was tied up and the curtains were hung at the edges, allowing sunlight to fill the corridor.
'So where are we going now?' I asked Eva with a forehead that was probably full of creased. Since the path we took was the opposite of the direction I took yesterday from the Hall of the Portal.
"We need to have breakfast at least, before we leave. Besides, you're the reason I haven't eaten yet, you slept so hard that you didn't realize it was morning, right?" Eva answered in a rather soft voice with her eyes narrowed at me with a smile that looks like she sneered me.
Is she scheming something? I, who was walking beside her, looked at her with a very surprised face after listening to Eva's answer. It felt a little strange if Eva was willing to postpone her breakfast just to wait for me to open my eyes. My eyes wrinkled a little thinking about it.
It's not possible that she likes me, right? She's much higher in status before me. And she would definitely be the laughing stock of everyone if what was in my mind really happened. But before it happens, of course I will reject it without thinking twice, because of the different degrees. The situation would be different if I were someone with great influence or power in this empire.
But if what I perceived was far from the truth, what was she trying to plan? After thinking for a long time while following Eva's simple and fast steps, a question began to play in my mind.
"Forgive me, Eva." I asked her while clenching my jaw afraid that what was playing in my mind was true.
Eva who listened to me just continued walking with her head slightly turned towards me as if she knew that I was going to ask her a question. "When we eat breakfast, will there be someone else instead us?"
"Of course." Eva answered while turning to me with the corner of her lips slightly raised and her eyebrows too.
I was left alone, just gulping, starting to feel nauseous because I was afraid of facing the head of the family. As I remember, last night Butler Leynon reminded Eva that her father had returned after completing a mission. My heart could cry because I could feel how strong her father's aura would be given off when he seeing his only daughter accompanied by me since yesterday.
Eva, who watched my reaction to her answer, immediately chuckled, causing her shoulders to shake as well. I, who was like a fool, looked at her with the face of someone who is clueless.
"Yes, there is butler Leynon, maids and others." She said while placing the fist of her right hand on her lips.
I then continued to sigh in relief after hearing her answer.
In my heart I was now cheering because of what I thought would never happen. If it wasn't at Everton manor, I would definitely jump like I had just won a competition, letting out a sigh of relief.
Well, who is not afraid to face the head of the Everton family, Cassion Everton? It is rumored that he is one of the individuals who has reached the mythical level who has such great strength that those who oppose him continue to kneel down to beg for mercy after they are on the verge of defeat after losing heavily in the battle against Cassian Everton and his army.
His army is also no less powerful, showcasing a formidable strength that is evident in both their training and their strategic prowess on the battlefield. The use of advanced weapons, combined with a strict control of magic, creates an environment where only those who possess real potential and exceptional skills are able to fight effectively on the side of the head of the Everton family.
This rigorous selection process not only ensures that the army remains elite but also that every soldier is equipped to handle the challenges they face. For instance, recruits undergo intense training regimens that test their physical abilities and magical aptitude, allowing only the most capable individuals to rise through the ranks. Furthermore, the emphasis on discipline and control over magical abilities means that the army can execute complex maneuvers during combat, coordinating their efforts seamlessly.
As a result, the head of the Everton family commands a force that is not just large in number but also rich in talent and capability, making them a formidable opponent to any who dare to challenge their authority.
There are several witnesses who stated that anyone with strength below the master level who faced him would collapse and faint because the aura he emitted was too strong. His power was also hidden from the public just for precautionary purposes. So no one knew about Cassian Everton's true strength.
So that's the reason why I was too scared to meet him who is someone as fierce as a dragon, face to face with such a scary and mysterious background that are still don't know if it's reliable or just some rumors spread by Everton's alliances to make their enemy fear them, not because I just same as a scaredycat. Plus, I still don't have a constellation or power is one of my weaknesses that make me fears him more. Because I would easily faint as soon as I stepped into the dining room.