Kael was the kind of place that world forgot - a quiet patch of earth tucked between rolling green hills and sleepy dirt roads. Well, it was noisy especially outside, when children decided to play hide and seek or argued over small things. The beautiful scenery and the atmosphere of the village was ordinary but somehow it was able to catch attention of people who liked peace and quiet life. At the edge of the village stood a small cottage half - swallowed by vines and ivy. Inside, chaos had made itself at home. Jars filled with dried petals, roots and strange glowing herbs that looked poisonous to everyone but actually it wasn't. Books laid open in uneven stacks, the air was thick with the sharp scent of herbs and mint.
Of course, this mess could be caused by one and only person - Athenis. A young girl - black curls messy, a piece of chocolate between her fingers - muttering to herself about her weird formulas. Her green eyes scanned every page of the book, hoping to find something useful.
"This makes no sense! Why do i have to suffer every time?" she muttered as she tried to find a solution to a new formula that made her go mad.
Athenis was the type to get bored really fast, she did not even know the reason why she was like that. Well being the bloodline of the Alvera family was never easy as her family was the most strongest source of cure that vanished a long time ago.
Athenis never bothered herself looking for them because she knew who exactly she was. She just did not like the fame or attention as her one and only goal was to live a quiet life.
She did not have many friends because she was rarely seen outside. Granny Martha and Lilith were the only people that she knew.
Granny Martha was a kind woman who always helped Athenis to make food because Athenis was only useful for remembering what was poisonous or how to survive with herbal plants.
Lilith was on the other hand, a perfect contrast to Athenis. Lilith knew everything and she had golden hands that were so relaxing to massage especially when someone was tired.
Athenis saw them as her own family - no mysteries, no pressures, no rules, just them. As she thought about both of them, her lips twitched a little.
"I miss them already, guess that's obvious. Maybe it would be good to visit them today. Anyway, i dont have anything to do." she sighed as she stood up, adjusting her messy black hair with a small smile.
As she stepped outside, a sweet scent of cherry blossoms hit her. How long has it been since she went outside? She chuckled a little as if it was the most odd question ever.
There was a big river that flowed like it had nothing else to do. Athenis jumped from rock to rock like she was used to it. Near the river, there was a small house with beautiful garden that made Athenis happy as always. As she got closer to house, the scent of fresh new baked cookies filled the air. That's when Lilith opened the door with a big smile. She had that sparkling mischief in her eyes, when she saw Athenis coming here.
"Thena! Be faster, i have something special to tell you!" she shouted as she saw the "what is it now?" look on Athenis's face. Lilith enjoyed seeing Athenis like that because Athenis was able to make funny faces when it came to complicated issues.
"You sound like you saw something really exciting? What's the matter?" said Athenis as she reached the exact point of where Lilith was standing.
Lilith clapped her hands like a little kid, who got a lollipop.
"You didn't hear that? The exams for the Royal Academy of Avangard are strting soon!" said Lilith as she giggled like a lovesick girl.
Athenis tilted her head.
"So what?"
That answer was enough to disappoint Lilith as her face became grumpy like a black cat. She was actually expecting more from Athenis but she was not right.
"FIrst of all, let's drink tea Thena." said Lilith.
But that simple sentence had other plans in it. Lilith was planning to explain the importance of this Academy and of course she wanted Athenis to be her companion and she had to make Athenis agree no matter what. Because this Academy was able to change lives of hundreds of students who wanted to create their own future and Lilith also wanted Athenis to create her own path because she couldn't always spend her days locked in her cottage with boring books.