“To Shine with the Stars.”
- Academy of Arteria, “Academy Motto”
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Sophie didn’t expect the pomp that greeted them upon their arrival to the Academy docks. Beyond the Noscali gates lay a separate dockyard reserved for the Academy of Arteria and its students. A small walled part of the city that now sprouted countless colourful banners and insignias dangling from the parapets. Academy guardsmen dressed in comically regal gold tinted outfits that Sophie hoped was just a performative uniform. Students who took the exams weren’t the only ones admitted, they were only part of the wave that now descended upon this location as other prospective students from other nations also arrived for the entrance ceremony. Commoners sponsored by their governments, nobles by the jostling influences within the courts, and even those just talented enough to be invited directly by the academy all became part of the crowd that eagerly awaited their place in the vaunted halls of knowledge. The sheer amount of people was what had taken her truly by surprise.
On the other hand, her shock was nothing compared to Aryana's. The poor girl was more apprehensive about people than Sophie had ever seen her before. The usually carefree girl, just gently tucked up right behind her wherever they went, trying her best to blend into Sophie's back. It had taken a great deal of nursing and care to have allowed her arm some limited movement in the cast without it hurting. But, because of the cast, Sophie knew that the mere fact Aryana looked like someone who had just suffered a horrific accident was already enough to make the poor girl self conscious.
“I’m so noticeable when you look at everyone!” The poor girl exclaimed before they departed the inn, “I’m the only one whose arm is gonna be wrapped up! That’s how everyone will remember me!”
Though Sophie had found the ordeal amusing, she did eventually manage to coax the girl out with the promise of rewards in the days to come. She didn’t know what rewards she could possibly give, but the idea alone calmed the reluctant redhead and Aryana begrudgingly shunted herself along.
To be fair to Aryana though, even Sophie wasn’t expecting the turnout to be so large. Around four hundred odd students from different corners of Cyndralia joined the ‘half year’ class. A number that positively boggled Sophie’s mind as she wondered just where everyone came from. Of particular note were the distinctive outfits of a few Carradorian students that she could recognise, and the more garish but menacing red and blacks worn by those from Traxia. In contrast with most peoples that she’d met on her journey so far, she found them to be instantly recognisable, the Traxians standing with their straightened backs and haughty postures, almost like they saw themselves as above the rest of the rabble. Sophie could only offer a small snort at the irony of how their behaviour mirrored their sworn enemy of the elves. Maybe that’s why they still war with each other, gotta prove who’s one top, Sophie scoffed to herself.
Her amused demeanour soon found an abrupt end as she caught the ire of an ostentatiously dressed Traxian girl who glared at her with such ferocity that Sophie almost forgot to look away. Cowed, she shrank back into the crowd only to just barely catch the appearance of a self satisfied smirk and the Traxian’s face as she ducked away. Shittt, I was staring too long. She cursed to herself. Embarrassed, she was relieved when the crowd masked her location once again, though she somehow doubted that this would be the last time she saw the Traxian.
Aryana tugged at her sleeve and Sophie turned around to find the girl pointing at a procession off the their left. In perhaps, the strangest sight she had ever seen. Traditional elven dress was melded with more modern attire as the students dispatched from the Adonar and those from the Elven Quarter marched with each other. Their haughty looks, prim and proper display an almost comically similar recreation of the Traxians. Sophie spotted the siblings trying to hide near the side of the procession, their dispirited and tired looks indicating their reluctance at being part of such a display. She looked back at Aryana and the redhead let out a small, if still strained giggle.
Sophie let out a relieved snort of air, happy that her charge at least, found some small enjoyment from the occasion. The two cast one last cheeky glance at the siblings before they continued on with the crowd.
The streets themselves were filled with curious onlookers and students alike. But, Sophie also noticed the heavy presence of guardsmen watching over the crowd through little alleyways, street corners and from balconies. Guess the city’s still on edge, all because of me, huh.
Once they crossed the large gate into the Academy dockyards, Sophie found herself intrigued by how different the area seemed from Arteria as a whole. Unlike the city at large, there was an immediate sense of calm and quiet that shone through despite the crowd that was filing in. There was a lush little courtyard that greeted the crowd, statues of Academy notables surrounding an ornate fountain in the center. A few buildings stood stoic behind the walls; their designs spoke of a construction where aesthetic choices mattered far more than the rapid development of city blocks. Ridges and arches decorated the edges of windows, curling around them like some fancy noble’s mirror being held up upon its desk. The buildings all occupied the perfect amount of space, none too bulky, yet not too slim either, just comfortable looking homes that served to highlight the dichotomy of the bustling city outside and the calm existence within, minus the large ornate hall that the students were being directed towards.
Robed and uniformed scholars, even some who dressed like the examination’s proctors, stood around the edge of one massive building and gestured for the students to head within. A grand hall, even bigger than the one inside the library. Other Academy staffers dressed in a strange blend of yellow and green scuttled about to and fro, their hands often holding stacks of papers or cups.
Yet, there was one thing in common about the strange Academy district that made Sophie feel slightly ill at ease. Everything, appeared or rather, felt immaculate. To her, it felt like much of the area had been specifically curated for students, in particular catering to the tastes of the more distinguished sons and daughters of nobility. The streets were clean, the houses pristine, the environment calming, and even the staff seemed to dress to impress amidst a chaotic day. For Sophie, it felt almost like this was a chance for the Academy to flex its prowess, to demonstrate to the world that it is, in fact, a peerless bastion of knowledge and learning.
Her mood however, suffered another nosedive when she entered the grand hall. Despite the gaudy yet still scholarly decor, the large raised roof, the chandelier, the lights, the atmosphere of tense eagerness, and crowds of students there was one thing she didn’t expect to see here. Inquisitors. Hidden almost by the shadows of the walls, Sophie spotted who she assumed was Inquisitor Janos and another black hatted Inquisitor leaning against the banisters, overlooking the proceedings like a bear searching for fish in a river. To her horror, the moment her eyes landed on the pair, it was like she had triggered some sort of lever. Both Inquisitors seemed to clock onto her position at once, their eyes turned to look over her. Embarrassed and a little fearful, Sophie could only hope they saw her offer a tiny polite nod as she shrunk into her shirt once more, keeping her head as low as possible within the crowd.
“Sophie.” Aryana whispered.
The soft voice caught Sophie’s ear and she spun around to find the redhead leaning in conspiratorially.
“Hmm?” Sophie queried.
“There, over there.” Aryana wiggled her cast, “Grrr… there, to the left, on the stand.”
Sophie slowly turned only to be harshly pulled back by Aryana’s free hand.
“Don’t look, but I think there’s trouble.”
“Err… trouble?” Sophie tried to crane her neck to see.
“Yeah, some girl, fancy outfit. She keeps glaring at you. Do you know her? Or did you get us into another mess without letting me know?”
“I didn’t!” Sophie tutted, “Is she dressed in black and red, kinda gaudy, a little bit too prim and proper?”
“So you do know her!”
“Mmm, a Traxian. I’d recognise the dress more than anything. I looked over at their crew a little too long earlier.”
At that Aryana tilted her head, “Oh? Why would that be a problem?”
“They hate elves.” Sophie clicked her tongue, her mind running back to the days when she would just wear a hood everywhere. I’d look suspicious as hells if I did that though, but at least they’d second guess themselves before identifying me as an elf.
“Oh…” Aryana stated a bit more glumly.
Sophie found herself suddenly curious. There was an elven procession after all, she wondered how many might’ve joined her in mingling with the general audience, full blooded or not. Her observations ended with a dismal failure as she spotted about three other pointy eared individuals loitering around the main student body, and even then they were tucked quite close to the elven group. Ahh… shit. It took her less than a second to realize why she was so easy to single out. Amongst a group of elves, she likely looked a bit odd, perhaps a little too human, but from afar, none would be the wiser. Yet, in the middle of a human crowd, her ears alone, if she discounted her other slightly more elven facial features, would be like a beacon in identifying who stood out. Perhaps in addition to that, being next to one of the only person in the room with a visible injury and cast probably didn’t help. Maybe Ary had a point, though it’d be a shame to miss this ceremony regardless. Especially after everything we've been through to get here.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
A hush fell over the room as people walked onto the stage at the far end of it. Sophie only recognised the somewhat elderly proctor of her exam. Besides him were a half dozen individuals, most of similar age besides two on the far right who were far younger than the scholars. The two donned uniforms of blue and green, whereas the scholars all wore some mixture of blue, purple and red. The man who sported all three was the first to step in the middle of the stage and at this, the crowds generally grew silent. One of the Academy staffers casted a spell, the sigil lighting up in the familiar pattern of a vocal amplification, the man giving the assistant backstage a nod of acknowledgement.
“Guests, applicants, and now admitted students to the Academy of Arteria, welcome!” The man announced, earning him a round of claps. “My name is Dean Arthur Harloch of the Academy’s History department and it is my pleasure to welcome all of you here today.” He spoke with a heavy Meltonian accent.
A few cheers came from some rowdier students and the man smiled, holding up a hand to calm the excited pupils. “Now, I understand fully that not everyone here is on the same level and that not everyone here shares the same background, but you are all here now. You are all the talented youth of the future; statesmen, leaders, nobility, scientists, researchers, historians, tacticians and even clergy amongst other things. You are here because you have been seen as talented, skilled, and possessing of enough potential that we here, at the Academy, are more than happy to help you light the spark on your path of knowledge.”
Sophie heard a rumble of agreement pass through the hall before the man continued. “It is, after all, the goal of the Academy to educate you for whatever role you might have to perform once your time with us is done. To see that you are better as a person, to have the ideals of curiosity, growth, and unceasing zeal for change embedded within you. That much, we will do. For we want you not just to thrive, but to excel! For that is the ultimate goal of the Academy and our motto. We want to help you ‘To Shine with the Stars.’” The man finished before bowing and gesturing towards one of his colleagues. “Now I hand you off to Professor Berian Montroi from the Arterian Academy's Department of Economics.”
A round of applause swept the room and Sophie joined in the polite claps when she almost giggled at Aryana’s playful scowl. The poor girl kept glancing at her cast and looking exasperated every time. Sophie caught her eye and offered a reassuring smile, one which the redhead reluctantly returned. Satisfied, Sophie turned back to the stage when Professor Montroi began speaking and felt one thought run rampant through her mind, drowning out her ability to pay attention. We’re here, we’re in. We’re students of the Arterian Academy. I’m almost there Eva, just wait for me.
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The sense of excitement still chorused through the student body, but after five speeches of varying length, there was also an undercurrent of boredom that flowed alongside it. Aryana was one such individual who belonged to the later group. Sophie watched with curiosity as the redhead in question tried her best to try and seem interested. Aryana had feigned focus before dropping off for a quick nap. She had then tried but failed to indiscreetly stretch, unwittingly letting out a tired yawn that saw her explode with an embarrassed blush as she met Sophie’s eyes.
Sophie barely held back a snort when the girl furiously tried to mouth words at her, the only thing that she understood from the almost minute long rant being ‘sleepy’. Sophie moved to respond when suddenly she froze, her ears perked up and her head swivelled instantly towards the stage.
“...my dear colleagues Evaline Rosengart and Patricia Laquies. The top performing students in the martial track and academic track respectively. Both of them are; like many of you soon to be, first years and I would like to invite them to share some words of advice to all of you.” The youngest of the speakers bowed and gestured with his arms to stage right. Did he say Eva?
Sophie felt the air leave her lungs as two figures stepped on stage. One was a more demure looking figure, bags under her eyes from stress yet still maintaining a demeanor filled with pride. Patricia Laquies, I guess. But it was the second figure who captured the entirety of Sophie’s attention.
Wearing tall dark leather boots that rose up to half her knee, a somewhat loose fitting pair of academy blue pants and her almost immaculate form fitting academy uniform with all the buttons neatly lined up, was Eva. Her hair shimmered almost a chestnut brown under the lights of the room and her sharp features gave off a sense of confidence as her eyes danced across the room. Strapped to her waist was a sword and a scabbard, but even Sophie could tell that it was just a training blade, the handle alone giving it away with how padded it was.
Patricia was the first to speak and Sophie found herself unable to focus as all her attention was directed squarely at Eva. She watched how her lady had turned to face the crowd with a precise click of her heels. How Eva seemed almost carefree yet was still nervous at the same time. There was a noble’s practiced polite smile on her face, her eyes upturned just enough to indicate joy. But Sophie noticed the tell tale signs of Eva’s nervousness, the girl’s left thumb and index finger pressed against each other almost like she stopped halfway before making an ‘ok’. Sophie couldn’t look away, and despite Eva not having scanned the crowd too intently, Sophie was certain that Eva knew she had been looking. C’mon, stop making it awkward Sophie, just look away so she doesn’t get weirded out.
Sophie’s mind flittered along in a blank state, her being maintaining her sole focus so intently that she barely registered that it was Eva’s turn to speak in front of the crowd. When Eva stood in front of the crowd, Sophie felt her head nearly explode. The moment Eva took center stage, the older girl ran a hand through her hair before her eyes flickered briefly over where Sophie was and a small grin carved itself onto her face. She saw me! She knows I’m here! Eva!
“Fellow students and soon to be acquaintances, Let me offer you all the eighth welcome of the day.” Eva chuckled, “The only reason they brought me up here was because I managed to win in my duels against some of the top fighters in our year and well, if any of you plan to pursue a more martial heavy education, I expect we’ll see each other a bit more in the months to come.”
Sophie clung onto every word, relevant or not. It was like she had just tasted a drug, and after months of withdrawal, she could finally hear Eva’s elegant voice once more.
“As I’m sure you all are tired of more speeches I’ll keep this short,” Eva smiled as the crowd let out small chuckles, “many of you might feel as though sometimes you’re out of place and I certainly have felt the same at some point. However, I can assure you that even in the short time I have been here, you will be able to connect with others and meet a wide variety of people that will make you feel like you belong.”
Sophie’s heart squeezed tight when she found Eva’s gaze landing upon her, a genuine grin plastered on the older girl’s face. Eva…
“Finally, for all those that have struggled to journey here and have put their all in earning their place at the Academy, I believe that you’ve already shown your merit. That you’ve already done your part to prove to yourself to the rest of us. So now that you’re here, I hope you can find what you’re looking for, and that the rest of us won’t disappoint you. May we all ‘Shine with the Stars.’” Eva finished with a nod.
A round of applause broke out and Sophie felt faint. She knows, she knows about how I’ve been trying to get here…hah…she remembers me. When the Dean stepped back on stage to speak, Sophie had already lost sight of where Eva went, the older girl having disappeared off to the sides of the stage. Her attention was only regained when she found Aryana tugging at her sleeve, an amused expression on the redhead’s face.
“H-huh-hmm?” Sophie asked.
Aryana remained silent and just continued tugging, urging Sophie to follow. Confused, still breathless and a little star struck, Sophie let herself be dragged along until they ended up near one of the side doors of the building. Her excursion however, had not gone unnoticed and she felt the gaze of more than a few people looking at the half elf and half injured girl pushing through the crowd. Almost as suddenly as she had spurred Sophie on, Aryana looked around before stopping in place.
“A-Ary?”
“Heh. That’s me.” Aryana let out a small giggle before she shook her head and refocused, “Ugh, shh, Sophie. Wait a minute.”
“Oh…okay?”
“Mmhmm.” Aryana nodded.
Sophie looked around, curious, and was only half aware when the speaker finally reached the end of his speech. A large round of applause and cheers erupted from the crowd, the official declaration of their status as students now cemented properly with ceremony and speech. She ignored it all and looked back at Aryana, wondering just what the girl was planning when she heard a distinctive click on the wooden floor boards. Before she could turn around, the most soothing voice in the world echoed from behind her.
“Hey Soph, how’s my little gremlin doing? Heh, been a while since we talked, huh?” Eva whispered casually.
Sophie felt the hairs stand on end and her heart stilled once more. Eva… Slowly turning around, Sophie found herself face to face with Eva’s warm soft smile. She sounded so relaxed but her hands were still pressed together. But, it’s Eva so why does it matter?
“Ahh…” Sophie stammered out speechless.
Eva let out a small breath and moved closer. Sophie’s eyes widened the closer Eva got, soon she found herself staring at the older girl’s outstretched arms. Tension fled her body and relief filled her soul when she leaned into the embrace, her emotions in flux. She felt the warm press of Eva’s body and cautiously rested her head against the girl’s shoulder.
“Eva…” Sophie whispered, her voice getting choked up.
“Sophie.” Eva whispered back.
“Evaaa.” Sophie whined, burrowing her face onto Eva’s shoulder.
A small hand ruffled her hair and Sophie felt Eva's gentle caress. “Sophie. It’s… it’s good to see you again.”
“Y-yeah.”
“We’ve got a lot to catch up on, huh?”
“Mmmm. Eva.” This feels like a dream, this can't be real. But it is real. It is real? Is it real? She feels real, I feel happy. Please be real.
“Little gremlin.” Eva tutted as she stroked Sophie’s head, “How about we find somewhere quiet and settle down for a drink? Then you can also introduce that friend of yours to me.”
“That…” Sophie took a deep breath, trying to imbue Eva’s scent in her memory, the scent of a light fluffy floral rose. “That sounds like a great idea.” Sophie murmured.
“Doesn’t it?” Eva giggled before sighing deeply, “It’s good to have you back.” She pressed down on the embrace.
“Mmm. It’s good to be back.” Sophie spoke, her voice wobbling in timbre ever so slightly.
She felt Eva move slightly, likely acknowledging Aryana. But her mind was too distracted for introductions, fighting to hold back a wave of emotions within her, knowing that any public outburst might draw undue attention to Eva and trouble the older girl in her academic life. Yet, Eva seemed to pick up on this, noticing even Sophie’s slightest tremble and gently gave a few reassuring pats across her back.
“It’s okay now, Sophie. You’re safe.” Eva spoke with the tiniest of quivers, “I’m here for you.”
“Mmm.” Sophie dared not to speak, fearing her voice would break. I… I did it. Eva’s here, this is Eva! Eva’s right here, next to me. It’s over, it’s finally over. She felt a teardrop of joy run down her face and onto Eva’s sleeve, the older girl just quietly holding her tighter. It’s finally over.