"What a nice day."
The sun blessed the land with a nice weather. The birds chirp, the leaves danced as the wind blows. The wheels of the carriage collides with stones at a nice rhythm. At this pace, they will soon arrive at the most prestigious academy of the entire continent.
Elise giggled. Her young master silently sleeps on her lap. She softly brushed his jet black hair. Quite a rare color. Across the continent, none has yet to come across someone with hair as dark as her young master. An object of admiration from others but a source of pride for a lowly servant like her.
Chest rising with every breath. Gaze softening with every passing moment. She was born to serve him. At the same age, he might yet walk but she already learned how to wash his feet. By the time he runs, she already knew how to praise him.
She leaned in, heartbeat quickening as the distance between them shorten. Hand softly caressing his rosy cheek.
'I like you young master.'
What a wishful thinking. A mere servant like her has no right to dream. Her lips revealed a bitter smile.
Silently appreciating his sleeping expression is enough.
Two orbs as dark like void drew her in. Their glass like tone reflected her smile.
Indeed. Her young master's eyes is one of a kind.
'Eyes?'
In one sudden jerk, the young master was sent rolling on the carriage floor. In a momentary shock, her young master fell!
The once blissful expression turned horrified. Quick on her feet, she immediately helped her young master up but to her surprise, he pushed her away.
"Who are you?"
The question was paid with a blank look. From the moment she was born, till the time for her young master's coming of age to join the most prestigious Academy at this moment, she lived and breath the same air as her young master. How could he possibly forget her? Is she really that insignificant to her young master's life?
"It's me, Elise, your personal servant young master."
"I don't know any Elise. Where am I?"
Such simple words, and yet powerful enough to collapse a world.
"I-in a carriage heading to Asterion Academy young master."
Voice trembling, head bent kneeling at the floor. Face hidden through her silky black hair.
She can't see his expression, nor she dare to. Pearls of crystal streaks across her face. She can't make a noise. She can't let him see her weakness. She's dispensable. A word and her life will be meaningless. An object without purpose. It's her fault anyway for having hope. For wishing to be remembered.
Silence. A few minutes passed with her kneeling before he spoke again. His apprehensiveness gone, replaced with a more calmer tone.
"Stop kneeling."
There was no relief. Pain more than a mortal wound is too much for her to bear. The wooden carriage creaked from her trembling knees. The once peaceful atmosphere suffered a heavy toll.
"Whose house do you serve?"
"Your prestigious house of Kobayashi young master."
"Are you afraid of me?"
Elise paused. Her clouded mind found a moment of clarity.
Why is he asking such question? What could possibly be going through the mind of the young master? And how should she answer? Does he want honesty? Or perhaps a lie could satisfy his vanity?
Countless questions yet merely seconds passed. With a steel resolve and a heavy heart, her head lifted, eyes staring directly at her young master's. She felt compelled. Those voids seemed as deep as the abyss demands only the truth yet somehow, gazing at them gave her peace.
"Yes."
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. She looked at him with such sadness. That gaze reflected himself staring back from the mirror after his parents rested peacefully beneath the soil.
He recalled her blissful expression earlier. How could such a small accident cause a drastic change?
"Why?"
"I was too small for you to see... I have no family. I was afraid to be alone. I don't want to be left behind. I only have- I apologize if I spoke too much young master."
Her eyes drifted away from his. He felt familiarity in that gaze. Maybe he is just seeking comfort in others, but he can see himself in those red eyes.
"Did you prepared this uniform for me?"
A random question. Her young master appear to be hard to read today.
"Yes young master."
"You did well. Thank you for your hard work. I will be in your care once we arrive."
Her eyes widened. Did she hear that right? Isn't that what she always wished to hear not just from her young master but even for anyone else? All these years she felt unknown and invisible. Her worth nothing more than a tool. If it's just so easy to ask to be acknowledged but words contains a price she can't afford. And now her young master gave it to her for free.
Is this a dream? If so, then she wished to not wake up. It's just words, but why can't she stop herself from feeling happy? Why can't she stop smiling? Such an easy girl to feel fulfilled from a simple acknowledgement.
"It was a pleasure to serve you young master."
The travel might not be as peaceful as before, but it's enough for them.
An hour passed in silence. Eyes staring through the window deep in thought.
Silently stealing glances like a child that did wrong. Something feels off with the young master. He seems more serious. Eyes deep in thought. As if something is burdening him beneath those dark voids.
Should she ask? Help relieve him of his burden? It feels inappropriate. A lowly servant like her can only remain quiet, waiting to be called.
"We have arrived young master."
With a slow stop, the carriage's wheels creaked. Curtain unfolding from a sudden jerk. Their coachman bowed, revealing the majestic towering castle. It's stone walls and pointed roofs exudes a magical feeling.
They finally set foot among the bustling crowd. The Academy is still up ahead. It is merely the gates yet it is already quite lively.
Muscle strained from the pressure, and each step is a hard fought battle. Her small frame didn't help in moving these bags.
The bags in her hands disappeared one by one, giving her the forbidden relief a servant cannot have nor want.
"Young master, it is my duty to serve you. Allow me."
"You are clearly struggling. Bring what you can. Leave me the rest."
Without waiting for a reply, she was left with a single bag. What a magical day. Is she really dreaming? She found comfort in his subtle concern.
A burning pain on her cheek brought her to reality. Her cheeks warmed, though not from pain. This is real. And yet, the young master doesn't seem to be following the usual script. A roller coaster of emotion, but a welcomed change nonetheless.
Soon, not a shadow of her young master can be found. He couldn't have possibly left her behind could he?
With a flutter of steps, she disappeared in the crowd.
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"A wonderful day to you sir! Are you here to enroll or for other matters?"
Quite a cheerful young lady. The overwhelming positivity in her smile is already influencing him.
"I am here to enroll."
"Then may I see your recommendation sir? Otherwise, you will need to take a test with a small fee."
The bags on the ground feels like clothing. A gold coin sits atop his hands. Elise instructed him to take the test on his own. She left first to deal with some matter and will arrive a few minutes late.
"What is the basis of the test?"
"It's a simple test of magical aptitude. If you fail to pass, you may choose to try the other test of Practical Combat. We might be called an academy of magic, but most know we are merely a vessel of the empire to supply young talents. If you still can't pass, I am afraid we can't admit you unless you have a recommendation."
Hm... quite simple yet only he knows that this is the biggest obstacle he came across yet. With no experience in physical combat, the chances of passing through it is too slim. Magic test is a matter of talent and aptitude.
Hand stretching out, a gold coin was left on the counter.
"I'd like to take the test."
"Very well sir. Do follow me to the testing room."
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A mysterious glow shimmers. Quite a mystical feeling. The crystal ball infront gives off an indescribable aura, unlike any other.
"This is the Mana Testing device. An absolute marvel birth from the collective minds of our prized specialist. You may already know this, but it is still my job to explain. Simply put, it takes a strand of your mana and determines its quality. Then, it will show an array of colors depending on your mana attributes. The strength of the light will be the quality of your mana. Your aptitude, or talent if you prefer to call it that way."
With her guide, his palm was placed atop the crystal. His hand gave off an indescribable sensation and yet, the crystal didn't gave off any light nor color. It was apparent to her that he possessed no magic to her dismay.
"It appears that you have no affinity for magic sir. Allow me to bring you to the Practical Combat Test area."
It was to no surprise that he has no affinity for magic, yet he can't help but feel disappointed. A lot of plans are out of the window and uneasiness begins to set in. If he fail to enter the academy, what will happen to him? Perhaps he already accepted his faith as not even a ripple can be seen in his face. Even here, he can't escape being worthless. At the very least, he still have a family.
"This is a training dummy. It might be just made from hay, but magic engravings gives it a high resistance to magic and physical attacks. Just hit it as much as you can. However, a physical instructor will be watching."
Indeed, a tall burly man entered the room. His fearsome gaze gave him a momentary shock. Quite intimidating. He seemed to have undergone countless battles evidently from his scars. His heavy steps hammers at the young master's shaky heart.
"Use your strongest attack and hit it with all you've got."
The instruction is quite simple and yet, it gave him an ominous feeling. Taking position infront of the dummy, he gave a few test swing while twisting his body. Surprisingly, he can feel the strength behind his fist. With enough confidence, he finally decided to take the shot. His hips twisted. He made a full body rotation while shifting all his weight to power his punch. If he still can't pass, there is nothing he can do. With bare hope, his fist connected with the body of the straw dummy.