The house before him was massive and noble in design with intricate crimson runes carved into every corner of its exterior.
They glowed faintly—like veins of power running through stone. At the very top of the structure, a large scope pointed toward the sky.
A telescope?, Vox guessed as his eyes narrowed. Or maybe something more.
Merilyn stepped forward and knocked on the door,
*knock...knock... knock!
then turned to Vox with a bright smile.
"All righty, your mentor will be here soon, Vox—we'll be moving on now."
"Good luck, Vox," Ophelia said, giving a small nod.
The rest of his friends nodded as well, their eyes meeting Vox's with quiet trust.
Vox gave a small nod in return. He then watched them leave, their figures growing smaller with each step until they disappeared beyond the path.
Now, it was just him—and the silent, rune-covered house waiting before him.
Vox turned to the large door behind him, adjusting his glasses as he looked up, his eyes tracing the intricate crimson runes glowing softly against the solid dark wood. They pulsed faintly, like veins of energy flowing through the structure itself.
*creak...!
Then, without warning, the door gave a low creak and slowly began to open inward. The sudden movement made Vox flinch slightly, taking a cautious half-step back.
A maid stood behind it, dressed in a simple—yet elegant uniform. Her expression was calm and unreadable, as she said nothing as she stepped aside and motioned for him to enter.
Vox blinked and gave a small nod, giving himself encouragement. "I guess… I walk in," he thought as he took his first step inside.
The air inside the house felt different—cooler, but not cold.
Still, it carried a weight to it—like the silence was intentional. The floors beneath his feet gleamed, polished to a shine that reflected the soft gold lighting from above.
The interior was unlike anything he'd seen so far.
Towering bookshelves lined the walls, filled with very thick tomes and metallic scroll cases.
Ornate furniture, all carved from darkwood and accented with silver runes—filled the space with a refined sense of power and of course, nobility.
Velvet curtains hung from the tall windows around, and a massive telescope extended through a slit in the tall ceiling, aimed high toward the heavens.
Compared to Merilyn's home, this place felt like the personal study of a scholar—or a noble with an obsession for knowledge.
He took a deep breath and continued walking forward, unsure of what—or who—awaited him inside the house.
*Thud... thud... thud...
He stepped further into the house, his boots gently tapping against polished crimson stone tiles.
His eyes wandered across the grand interior—walls etched with more of those glowing runes, their light pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
Gold-trimmed furniture rested against the walls—chairs shaped like ancient thrones, tables filled with untouched scrolls, and crystal orbs floating midair that rotated slowly, casting a subtle reflections across the hall.
Vox instinctively took a step back, not out of fear—but in awe.
The house felt alive.
Breathing.
Watching.
That's when he bumped into someone.
He turned quickly, a nervous jolt running through his body.
Before him stood a tall woman with long, deep crimson hair—tied into a single braid that draped neatly over her shoulder.
Her sharp glasses glinted as they caught the light, her eyes—burned like flames—scanned Vox with precision, like a scholar examining a rare specimen.
"So, you're the child I'm supposed to mentor?" she asked.
Her voice was smooth, composed, and firm—like someone who spoke only when necessarily required.
"Uh... yes," Vox muttered, awkwardly adjusting his own glasses. "Lady Merilyn led me here, so... I think so?"
"Very well," she replied promptly. "Let's not waste time. Follow me."
Without another word, she turned and walked down the hall, her footsteps silent despite her tall leather boots.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!
Vox scrambled to follow, his hands gripping his sleeves as he trailed her.
The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly.
Ornate windows arched above, stained with red and gold glass that painted the floor upon them with shifting colored patterns.
Along the sides, synthetic candles lit one by one as they moved forward, as if welcoming them deeper into the heart of the house.
"I assume you already understand what eidra is?" she asked, her voice echoing slightly down the corridor.
"Yes," Vox answered quickly with a nod. "I'd learned fragments before. But Lady Merilyn taught me properly."
*Ahem
He cleared his throat before continuing, trying to sound sure of himself and his knowledge.
"Eidra is in everything. It's infinite. The force that binds matter and soul. Without it, us mortals lose their essence—turning into eidra corrupted beasts."
"Mhm. Good," she said with a slight nod, not breaking stride.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a massive double door, far taller than the others—carved with a spiral of runes that pulsed in quiet rhythm.
She pressed her palm against it.
The runes glowed brighter, and the doors began to part, releasing a soft hiss as the seal broke.
"I've heard you're not one for combat," she said, finally turning to look Vox in the eyes. "That's fine—Combat is only one path."
She then paused, her gaze steady.
"But in this house, intellect is everything. Your weakness can be refined into precision, Into control, Into power."
The doors then fully opened.
Vox blinked his eyes as he stepped forward—his jaw falling slightly in awe.
A vast chamber sprawled out before him.
Floor to ceiling bookshelves formed massive towers, spiraling up to a ceiling that shimmered with artificial starlight. Hovering lanterns floated lazily above, casting steady light across pages, glass, and metal.
Among the books were machines—massive engines made of metal, moving with calm purpose.
*Hiss! *Click-Clack!
Arms folded and unfolded themselves with a click. Calculators ticked away. Dozens of mechanical eyes blinked quietly in the dark corners, scanning blueprints or rearranging shelves.
It was a living archive. A world of thought.
A library built not just for reading—but for creation.
Vox stepped in slowly, nearly overwhelmed. "I've never... seen this many books in my life," he said as he scanned his surroundings.
The woman followed beside him, her expression unreadable.
"This is the heart of my vast researches. My legacy. We shall use this as our main area of training of one's mind"
She looked at him once more, her tone sharp and certain.
"My name is Mezra of House Sorellia. Scholar. Inventor. Strategist. Battlemaster"
She then fixed her glasses with a finger.
"And from this moment forward—you shall call me teacher."