Chapter 2

"Why not just go to a finishing school here in the capital, Arcelon?"

I stopped throwing things at my luggage and looked up to see a distraught woman walking toward me, followed by at least half a dozen cats of all colors and sizes that began playing with my things scattered on the floor and bed.

She always said I looked like my father, but our messy and curly hair was a dead giveaway from what I got from her. Not to mention our noses, eyes, and, sadly, personalities.

We are always at the other side of the spectrum all my life. If I stand up for something, you can expect that she firmly disagrees with me.

"I want to go out of Fang, mother," I said simply as I carefully removed her fat ginger cat, making himself comfortable on top of the clothes that I was about to put on my bag, "I'm already sixteen and legally mature enough to make an educated decision in my life."

"Rules and law don't apply to us, my son..."

I shook my head and held my ground, "I will go as an Alcriman then. Papa already gave me permission to go, so I won't need yours."

"And what does he think he is doing overriding me?!" she asked angrily, but I just looked at her straight.

"He is just trying to be a father since he didn't get the chance to do so. For once, let him decide what's best for me."

"And the best that he thinks is letting you go out of our country to elements knows where!" she snarled back and looked at my scattered things, "Where do you plan to study anyways? Pray to tell you to think I will give you money?"

I decided to forego doing the packing decently and threw everything instead inside and be done with it, "I won't be needing your money. Crysalia Military Academy has an open scholarship program today, and if I can make it, I can take the exam for it."

"And you think you can pass?"

What she said drove a knife into my heart as it reminded me that even my very own mother didn't support me, much less believe in my abilities.

"Well, at least now, nobody can stop me from trying," I said quietly, shutting her up as I closed my luggage and began marching past her toward the door.

But as expected of her, she will not let this go lying down, "Even if for some miracle you passed, where will you get the money for your allowance? In case you didn't know, even if you enroll there as a scholar and a commoner, the expenses alone are costly."

"You don't have to worry about that, mother," I assured her as I continued walking to the door without even looking back, "I didn't plan this on a whim, that's for sure."

And with that, I took my step toward the start of my journey.

Failure is not an option.

I will prove my mother wrong.

I can, no, I will do this or die trying.

I will no longer be tied to her will and do as I am told.

-0-

"We are now arriving shortly at the Holy City of Mari Train Station via Crown City of Xiten direct line. Mari from Xiten in five minutes. The train will stop in two minutes. Please be guided accordingly and secure your luggage. Thank you..."

I looked out of the train window; true enough, towering spires that pierce the skies began to come into view.

Yep, the capital city of the Theocracy of Hyillia, the Holy City of Mari, the center of the Crysalian Elemental Religion, and the only neutral nation in the world.

Located on the westernmost side of the world bordering the Principality of Phiden at the east and the Barony of Vosque at the north.

On its west lies the Pupa ocean, and on the other side is the eastern border of the imperial continent.

This country is headed by an elected monarchy under the High Priest and is said to be as ancient as the Empire of Fenris and the very cradle of the Crysalian civilization.

It also has the smallest population, with only ten million, including expatriates from the rest of the eight countries.

"...we are now arriving at the Holy City of Mari Train Station. Please prepare to disembark shortly..."

I quickly snapped out of my musings and stood up as the rest of the coach passengers I was in did the same before we scurried for our luggage items, piled up in front of the door, and waited for the train to stop.

I saw that most, if not all, of the other passengers besides me were students around my age.

All of them are wearing white and gray uniforms and, judging by their demeanors, commoners by their looks.

Their vests bear the crest of the Sheep Emblem of the Crysalian Military Academy.

That's right, it's the first day of school today if I remember what papa told me when he suggested that I go and try for the academy's slot.

Typically, he would have filed the enrollment for me but given as my mother deliberately postponed all my applications so that I would be forced to take the route where she could control which school I would be going to, I will have to take the less taken road to get inside the academy.

Namely, the one-day scholarship examinations given to the commoners.

But no, perish the thought that I am a genius or academically gifted boy. Far from it, really. I am a mediocre one, to say the least.

It's just that papa was once an instructor in the academy years ago, and he and the principal went a long way before, so he pulled some strings so that I would be given a chance to participate in the examinations for the truly gifted students.

He told me that one child of a previous or currently employed instructor and staff of the academy is given a one-time chance to participate in the exams, and my sister, given her work, doesn't have the time to go to a regular school and thus doing her studies through the module and distant learning.

"Welcome to students to a new school year at the Crysalian Military Academy! Please, right this way!"

A group of school staff welcomed the boys and girls around me as we got off the train.

I quickly walked away from them as I had to ride a bus on my way to the school again, though I must admit that their fancy coasters look awfully more comfortable than the old busses going up and down the streets of Mari carrying pilgrims and tourists to the next temple dedicated to an element or something.

As I stepped out of the train station, I bumped into someone whom because I was busy marveling at the ancient architecture of the capital city of Hyillia.

"I'm sorry. I was busy looking around. I didn't look at where I was going," I quickly apologized and bowed my head sincerely.

She seemed taken aback and shook her head quickly, "No worries! I shouldn't have just stood here gawking around where people are walking."

I looked at her, and she struck me as an Alcriman with her luscious thick black hair, sunkissed skin, and lean figure. She seemed to be around my age and wearing a simple faded blue ripped jeans, washed-out sneakers, and a white blouse that had seen better days.

She has a beautiful heart-shaped face. Her eyes are almond-shaped and have uncharacteristically spring green eyes with long thin eyelashes, a small pointed nose, and soft pink lips.

"Are you a Fangian?"

I blinked and smiled lopsidedly before shrugging my thin shoulders, "Half. My father is from Alcrima. You are from the viceroyalty, right?"

"Yes. I am an Alcriman," she answered quickly as she gave me a curt nod and looked at me from head to foot, "Well, that explains your height and pale complexion of palatinate citizens. Though your hair and body build is certainly Alcriman. Best of both worlds, I say. Earth or metal?"

"Metal," I replied as I quickly remembered that I hadn't introduced myself yet, "Where are my manners? A thousand apologies. I'm Arcelon Mcreinen, from downtown Apolion. A pleasure, my lady."

When I took her hand and kissed it respectfully, she was taken aback but surprisingly regained her composure quickly, "No, the pleasure is all mine. The name's Cady. Cady Ravier from central Apolion."