Chapter 2
Author: Siarnaq Frost
last update2022-12-19 13:52:24

"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."

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  • Chapter 20

    I nodded and took a deep breath before speaking, "As you all might already know, Alcrima and Fang seceded from the empire together when it fractured a long time ago. The two different clans of metal and earth, due to their symbiotic relationship with each other decided to unite as one nation under the palatinate. But a few hundred years ago, the Monarchy of Fang heard the calls for a more democratic government by the Alcrimans, thus granting them independence. However, they also demanded to keep the special relationship between the nations. I guess Cady can carry on from here.""I will, Arcelon," she agreed and continued from where I left, "As he said, my people wanted more democracy but not to the point of existing on our own because we are so used to be with our Fangian brothers and sisters. So our forefathers and mothers adopted a viceroyal type of government to still be technically under the palatinate's sphere of influence while getting the democracy we wanted all along without c

  • Chapter 19

    She then looked at me and Cady, who was sitting next to each other at the back of the class, expectantly, "Before I begin my lesson, I would like to advise you all that in case some of you are not aware yet, Ms. Cady and Mr. Arcelon scored the highest on theoretical and practical applications of political studies during the scholar examinations respectively. I and Sir Trajan checked the paper ourselves and we are thoroughly impressed.""Coming from a commoner background, that is impressive," Ester remarked in approval as my companion smiled shyly."You are giving me too much credit, really. I am instructed by my benefactor months before I was sent here for the scholar examinations," she then deflected the praise to me, "If there is someone who is impressive here, it's Arcelon. I actually have been meaning to ask this yesterday but never really got the chance to do so. Where did you learn about politics?"I brushed off her and gave the answer papa instructed me to deliver if they asked

  • Chapter 18

    I stood up and put the used clothes that I removed into the wicker basket next to my bed and opened the cabinet to see the things I haphazardly packed neatly organized inside before I pulled out a boxer, short and white sleeveless undershirt for me to wear.There is a sound of running water inside the closed door on the southern part of the room, which I guess is the bathroom, so I quickly dressed before His Highness saw me butt naked.True enough, after I sat down on the edge of my bed, the door opened, and out came Loki, who was only wearing his boxer briefs, dripping wet and drying himself with the red towel he was scrubbing his hair with.And here I thought I wouldn't get amazed at how "perfect" he is.His body is not as bulky as Aquilo's, but certainly an athletic one.He had bulging biceps and pecs, six-packed abs, and he clearly didn't skip any leg day. He was surprised a little to see me sitting right in front of him and stared at me for a while.I guess he feels good about h

  • Chapter 17

    The two of us remained quiet as he continued speaking."It is given that our other classmates, scions they are, to profess their absolute faith in the religion, or at least give a lip service to it. What I wanted to know is what the Crysalian Elemental Religion is for you Cady and Arcelon? Are you devout? A believer or non-believer?"I blinked when I heard his last word, "Non-believer? Is that word even legal?""It isn't technically speaking. But it is a reality all the same. As much as the religious lay ministers around us want to hope, not all Crysalians are faithful to the church. That is what His Holiness has confided to me confidentially. The times, the people, the world are changing and we are slowly but surely losing sway over the people."Cady took a small breath as she tried to tread carefully on the topic, "Are you sure you should be saying that to us? We just met, and we are commoners as well.""The more reason I can trust you to understand where I, no, where we are coming

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    "Krios will, of course, handle the cooking. Godiva, will be our public representative while Himiko will take care of our finances as a treasurer. Aquilo will be in charge of our security, Loki our consultant and Cady as our logistician."Ester then looked at me kindly, and I knew that look.I have seen that so many times in my life that I've grown used to it.But it doesn't mean that it became less painful, though."Arcelon, we have already covered all of the important tasks. What you can do to help us all at least is to act as our runner," the mistress said ever so carefully as not to offend me, and I appreciated her doing that despite our differences, "If we need someone to buy things, we don't have or contact our teachers and staffs at school, you will be the one who will do it. Also, if any one of us is struggling with our own tasks, you will lend assistance as well."I nodded in agreement, as raising an objection would be futile anyway.That, and I think I am best for that partic

  • Chapter 15

    Aquilo blinked and inclined his head in my direction pensively, "Now that you said it, I never have given that much thought.""About what, Aquilo?" Zeo asked curiously."About our privilege and what it looks like from outside looking inside."Ester took a deep breath and sighed, "Well, the reality is we are born high above the social pyramid. Father said that we exist technically on a different plane of reality from the rest.""My own father said the same thing," Himiko followed and smiled a little, "Try as hard as we might, we are just different from other people.""You really do," Cady agreed as she glanced at me quietly before continuing, "Honestly speaking, when I first met you all earlier, it's like I am in front of someone so near yet so far. Like there's this huge invisible wall that separates you all from the real world."Loki grunted loudly as if she was woefully ignorant of a fact, "That's because that's what it should be. We, monarchs, are separated from the common folks by

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