Thessryn Kingdom, Velemor, capital city of Thessryn Kingdom. Bloodmoor residence.
"Welcome to the capital young master."
The butler said the moment I stepped out of the carriage. I looked around but Seraph wasn't among the welcoming party. There were only maids and the butler.
"Thank you. Is my sister available?"
I asked the butler as he led me to the front door of the house. The house in the capital was almost just as big as the one in the Duchy. It was a black castle with red curtains hanging around the windows. On some parts of the wall were statues of gargoyles and bats that seemed to be ready to take off.
Blood red spider lilies were planted along the house, with other different red flowers scattered around, creating a beautiful yet eerie contrast.
A perfect dwelling for the Bloodmoor.
"Yes, your sister is in the study."
The butler said quietly. I had never been to the capital, hence I wasn't very familiar with the servants, and the conversation felt awkward.
"Take me to her then."
I said as we reached the main sitting area.
"Stop being a child Lucian."
Seraph's sharp voice came from above. I looked up to see her standing at the top of the stairs. I walked up the stairs while she looked down at me a frown painting her face.
I pulled her into my embrace the moment I got near her.
"I missed you sister."
I said against her hair. She reluctantly wrapped her hands around my waist hugging me back.
"You're late."
She mumbled against my chest. I stepped back, cupped her cheeks, and leaned over until our foreheads were against each other.
"I'm sorry, did I make you worry?"
She rolled her eyes at that and muttered softly.
"As if I would."
Ooh my dear sister, I looked at her fondly. She was clearly worried.
"I got held up by something along the way, but I made sure I came here as fast as I could."
I really did. After leaving Rothvale I didn't stop at Falric, the next teleportation town, but continued to the capital directly. Falric city was part of the eastern duke's territory.
The kingdom only had four dukes serving under His Majesty, with each of the dukes' territories divided according to the compass. North, Eastern, Western, and the southern duchy.
Falric City was just a small town established around the portal and had developed slowly as more people passed through it, just like Rothvale.
Unlike Rothvale, which was famous for its beautiful fabrics, Falric City was a mining city. I didn't have the urge to visit it.
"Mother called."
I stiffened. I wanted to send her a letter first before calling but it seemed I couldn't avoid it. Seraph laughed at my reaction.
Thanks to magic, there was the invention of mirror stones that one had to inject their magic into, and a specialized magic circle for that connected both stones.
Mirror stones, unfortunately, can not be moved and are expensive, so the only people who possessed them were nobility.
"I'm joking."
She said and burst into laughter. I guess this was payback.
"Since you don't seem to be doing anything, why don't you show me my room, and you can tell me more about the academy?"
I wrapped my hand around her shoulder and urged her to move forward.
"Okay, quite pulling me."
....
The carriage slowly came to a stop as we neared the academy gates since they weren't allowed past. Seraph had gone to the academy earlier; she had a task to take care of.
"Young master we've arrived."
Donovan's voice came. He had been assigned as the carriage driver. Stepped out behind Luna and looked out at the imposing golden gates. The Everbound Academy was written at the top of the gates, thrumming with magic as it glowed, almost competing with the sun.
It was truly the best academy.
"Did you find the house I asked for?"
I asked Donovan. He nodded and held out a set of keys.
"It wasn't easy with all your outrageous requirements."
Luna took the keys from his hands and went back to standing behind me.
"Just finish what I had assigned to you and don't let me down"
I said to Donovan and walked towards the academy, my future prison.
Since it was the day of admissions, several carriages were coming and going with students embracing their parents, while the lonely ones like me became spectators.
Everbound Academy didn't care about nobility; as long as you are talented, you are guaranteed admission. But the schools will always have a hierarchy system once inside.
Commoners were still commoners while Nobles were still Nobles. Talent alone would not help.
I could feel people's gazes on me as I walked past them. Bloodmoor was famous for its red eyes, and the crest on the carriage pretty much said everything about my family.
I could see some of the students wanting to approach but hesitating.
"Lucian Bloodmoor, nice to finally meet the duchess's beloved son."
A voice came from behind me. Luna tensed but I touched her arm to calm her down. She stepped to the side and I turned to see my caller.
A young man with golden hair and golden eyes was looking at me arrogantly. His features were a pretty unique blend in the kingdom, and only one family possessed them.
"May the golden sun shine upon us in's glory, good morning, Prince Halberd."
I said respectfully but I didn't bow like most people are supposed to. He was the youngest prince and the best contender for the throne.
The king had a multitude of children. Ten in total, from those who survived, from different women. There were eight princes and two princesses.
Halbert was the youngest and the queen's only child. A miracle child if you could call him that. We were almost the same age.
The king must have also delayed his entry to rhyme with mine.
"Nice meeting you. You really do look like the duchess."
He said his hand came to my shoulder. I wanted to throw it off.
" Thank you for the compliment your highness."
I smiled at him.
" Shall we go for the registration where we're causing a commotion?"
He said loudly. People were glancing at us, clearly in awe of both of us. Bloodmoor was second to the crown in terms of power so seeing us together was a rare sight.
"Yes, your highness."
I stepped to the side, and he took the lead with a smile on his face. The crowd parted as we passed through whispers of wonder and confusion reaching my ears.
"Have you ever been to the capital Lucian?"
"No your highness, this would be my first visit."
The prince chuckled.
"Duchess Lilith really was adamant in keeping you locked up in the duchy. The king had once asked for you to be my playmate since we are of the same age."
That came as a surprise to me; mother had not said a thing about it. Even she told me I would have refused since I would have had to pause my experiments to entertain a child.
I just nodded at his monologue. We passed the long line until we came to a stop at the registration table.
Despite their songs about equality between nobility and commoners, they would not dare to make a royal or me stand in line with the others.
After the usual greetings to the prince the examiner sat down and pushed a crystal ball towards the prince.
"Please inject your mana into the magic tester."
The prince did as he was told. The crystal shone brightly, almost blindingly, before the color reduced to a swirling white ball inside the crystal. After a second a number formed itself from the magic.
"Eighteen stars."
The examiner said in awe. Everyone around us gasped. The prince was definitely a talent; it occurred to me that he probably went first to show off. Maybe our meeting wasn't a coincidence after all.
"Congratulations your highness."
I said behind him. He turned his head to look at me and smiled.
" Thank you Lucian."
He turned back to the examiner.
"What would you like to study, your highness? You can only choose one subject."
He turned back and glanced at me before turning to the examiner.
"Spell casting."
The examiner nodded as if he had expected his answer. Spell casting was the main branch of magic and the most vast subject one can choose and it was the most popular among the new students.
The prince stepped to the side and allowed me through. The examiner gazed at me with the same awe and pointed at the crystal repeating what he had just said to the prince.
I pushed just a small bit of mana into the crystal and stepped back as the blinding light occurred before it settled down.
The white mana swirled in the jar before the numbers appeared.
"Twenty stars."
Mother had told me not to dishonor the duchy, and I did that. I wasn't about to let the crown take the spotlight.
Gasps filled the air as people around us started to murmur among themselves, comparing the prince and me.
"You really hid yourself deep Lucian."
The prince's voice came. I turned to look at him as we smiled cordially at each other.
"I didn't mean to your highness. You're just as impressive."
I could see his jaw ticking.
"Yes..yes we are."
He mumbled to himself but I could still hear it.
"What... what subject would you like to study, young master?"
I smiled at the examiner who also subconsciously smiled back.
" I'm so sorry, Mother."
I muttered to myself and said my desired subject.