CHAPTER 66
THE SECOND-YEAR PROMOTION
It was as though a veil had been lifted from Hans' eyes as he finally understood why his grandparents had taken him to live in seclusion with them. Despite being surrounded by people, they had deemed the classless beast zone to be a safer place to raise him. And now, with the ring of Chaos in play, it seemed their fears had been justified.
Everyone coveted the power of the ring, and if it was confirmed that Hans had any involvement with the next ring-wearer, Concordia's fear of retaliation would not be enough to deter his pursuers.
He couldn't help but curse himself. It seemed like trouble had a way of finding him no matter what he did. He knew that pursuing the matter of the Ring of Chaos would only lead to more disturbance, but he couldn't let it go. There had to be another way to approach this sensitive matter.
Lost in thought, Hans found himself rethinking the time when he had possessed the human slaughtering the god's blood elves. It was a dark memory, one that he tried to keep buried. But just as he was delving deeper into the memory, a hand shook him, bringing him back to reality.
He turned to see Chris sitting beside him in the dining hall, not realising when he had come there, and his food remained untouched on his plate. His deep thoughts and undecipherable mumbling had attracted the attention of those around him, who were now staring at him curiously.
Feeling self-conscious, he quickly finished his meal, hardly tasting the food as he swallowed it down. The night had been filled with revelations and he needed to rest his mind. He knew that he couldn't ignore the matter of the ring of Chaos, but for now, he needed sleep and without a word to anyone, he made his way to his room and slipped into slumber.
As he slept, a soft hand gently caressed his forehead. The touch was surprisingly gentle, yet the callouses and roughness revealed his owner's life of hardship and struggle. A voice whispered, barely audible, "Why must my blood suffer such tragic fates again and again?"
Hans stirred in his sleep, sensing the presence of someone in the room. But when he opened his eyes, there was no one there. Confused, he rubbed his eyes and settled back into bed. As he drifted off to sleep once again, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone, or something, was watching over him.
WINTER’S HOME
An uninvited but expected guest burst into Director Aredhel's home, causing Delimira to become nervous. Aredhel did not want her daughter to get involved, but she also understood the dangers of half-knowledge. She had to tell Delimira why she broke the image crystal and gave her a firm warning not to covet the cursed ring.
Sierra glanced at Delimira, who was standing beside the resting couch, wanting the child to give adults some privacy but catching her intentions, Aredhel spoke first.
It has been a while since you last met my daughter, Lady Sierra, isn't that right?
Sierra had seen Delimira around Hans and Bernard's son before, but she never wanted to pass on any judgment from the previous generation to the new one, so she remained silent. However, it was true that she had encountered the elven girl before.
Sierra responded with a gracious smile,
Yes, she still has her father's eyes.
Delimira felt a sudden pang of confusion. How could so many people know about her father, yet none of them did anything when her parents were being wronged? Though she wanted to ask Sierra, this was neither the time nor place for that discussion.
Sierra was a mover and shaker of nations, and Delimira knew why she had come. She wanted to keep the Ring of Chaos incident under wraps, and Delimira understood the logic behind it. After all, the Ring of Chaos was the most potent artefact ever crafted, and it was resurfacing once again with Hans being the only clue.
"What can we do for you, Lady Sierra?" Delimira inquired.
Sierra smiled warmly at the young girl and replied,
You seem calm and reasonable, my dear. You already know what you have to do.
Sierra turned to Aredhel and, to Delimira's surprise, thanked her for protecting Hans before leaving. Delimira was perplexed by the lack of threats or warnings, and there was no mention of the ring. She looked at her mother with doubt, as Lady Sierra was reputed to be unreasonable and quick to issue threats, yet her actions were the opposite of what was rumoured.
After seeing Delimira's confused expression, Aredhel asked,
So, what was your first impression of her?
"She seems kind and reasonable," Delimira replied, still processing the unexpected encounter.
Aredhel, who was known for her stoic personality, broke that notion and burst into laughter. Delimira was taken aback by her mother's sudden outburst, and her confusion only grew until her mother explained her perspective.
"Her not threatening us meant we were never a threat, to begin with," Aredhel said, still chuckling. "Her silence said, 'know your place and don't act out.'"
Delimira furrowed her brow.
"But I did not sense any malice in her words," she said.
Aredhel placed a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Her staying silent is far more terrifying than her acting violently, Deli," she said. "We of the old generation know the real Edenberg that people need to watch out for is not Sir Rudolf but the Iron Lady Sierra, your future master."
CLANDOR ROYAL PALACE
In a cosy chamber, a regal elven maiden sat perched upon a plush chair by the warmth of the flickering hearth. Clad in a resplendent red gown and adorned with a crown befitting her status, she leisurely perused a letter that had recently been delivered to her. Beside her, a precious Image stone lay, which she idly twirled between her fingers as she read.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"My queen," the missive began. "Though my sight has been limited, I managed to catch a glimpse of an incident that made Aredhel Winters act out. I have sent an Image crystal along with the letter. Please take a look at it.
As she finished reading, the elven lady ceased her fiddling and activated the crystal. A vision of a God-blooded Elf materialized before her eyes, standing before a tomb-like structure and sporting the Chaos ring on her wrist. She murmured in astonishment,
Finally, after so long, a new owner surfaced.
CONCORDIA
The incident was never mentioned again, and Delimira and Hans kept their lips sealed about it. Chris, on the other hand, remained oblivious to the whole affair and would sometimes jest with Hans about his dream girl. Life in Concordia flowed smoothly after that, devoid of any unexpected twists and turns.
Hans diligently attended his classes, yet despite his intellect, his academic performance was nothing short of disappointing. He found solace in practising his swordsmanship, which served as a way to keep himself physically active. But try as he might, his search for information about the God Blood Elf from his first dream, the one with the black hair who died at his feet, proved fruitless. It was as if every lead he followed led him on a wild goose chase, with someone deliberately erasing every possible clue.
Oddly enough, he didn't feel as though someone was intentionally leading him astray out of malice. Rather, it was as if an unseen force was quietly safeguarding him from the shadows, someone he hadn't yet met.
But whoever or whatever it was, it clearly didn't prioritise Hans. And so, he eventually forgot about it and focused on his studies. As the first year drew to a close, many students from the lower sections began to shine, some even surpassing their recommended peers.
Hans's position as Professor Walter's favourite pupil proved advantageous in securing the necessary attendance for promotion to the next year. But it was a double-edged sword - Walter's constant interference in Hans's affairs earned him the animosity of other professors.
Unlike the subsequent years, there were no annual exams for the first years. Rather, they only needed to leave a good impression on their teachers and gain more than half the votes of the professors that taught them.
It was not a question that both students who held the representative title for the whole year, Delimira and Chris sailed through their promotions with glowing recommendations and full votes from their professors. But Hans wasn't so fortunate; he had hoped that his practical skills, as well as Walter's backing, would be enough to secure his passage into the next year but he couldn't be more wrong. He faced strong opposition from many of the professors and was ultimately denied advancement.
He thought Professor Walter would lend him a helping hand, but Walter refused to intervene, "it is your mess to solve", was the only word the housemaster left him. Hans could have easily used his dean's influence to secure his promotion, but he refused to be seen as someone who had been granted special treatment. The only remaining option was to seek aid from an organization in Concordia that could vouch for him. After some contemplation, he decided that his best bet was to reach out to the Botanical Garden, the research facility located in Agrilands.
However, gaining their recommendation required signing a cooperation agreement for the upcoming year. By doing so, he would secure the letter that would override the professors' authority and ensure his promotion. And so, with no other alternative, Hans made his way to the second year, with the Botanical Garden as his backing.
As per the Concordia guidelines, students were required to depart from the foundation castle after their first year and move into one of the distinct HOUSES: Sentinels, Prophets, Talons, Seekers, and so forth. Hans found himself among the ranks of the Prophets, whose castle stood apart from the others in its privileged stature. Here, each student was bestowed with an abundance of resources, thanks to the significantly lower headcount.
Hans was awarded a room of his own, a considerable upgrade from his previous accommodations. His new space was spacious, well-lit, and decorated with lavish furnishings and stunning wall murals. The atmosphere was akin to a luxurious hotel's royal suite. It was clear that the Prophets reserved such indulgences for their select few, who were often the future leaders of the world.
Yet, amidst the opulence, Hans could not escape the sense of unease that had crept upon him. He knew that everyone around him was a liar and a backstabber, motivated by nothing but personal gain. His own family had warned him against placing his trust in anyone from the Prophets, cautioning him about the cutthroat nature of their House. The memory of their words lingered in his mind as he surveyed his new surroundings, wondering if he would ever find a true ally within the walls of this privileged place.
Though all the House Castles in Concordia were separate, they shared a common space amongst themselves - except for the abode of Delimira. From the outset, she had been living with her mother in the private quarters of the HouseMaster, a bit far from Sentinels castle.
Chris, on the other hand, had found himself in the bustling Talon castle - the most populous of them all. To his discomfort, he was assigned to share his room with a senior, bound by an unspoken rule that he must follow their every word to the letter. In the Talon House, it didn't matter what the instruction was - obedience was paramount. The seniority system dictated that juniors were meant to be worked to the bone, all in the name of teaching them the essence of subordination.
Chris knew that a harsh and gruelling existence awaited him within the Talon castle's walls for at least three long years. As he stood within the daunting walls of the Talon castle, he knew that his ability to withstand the demands of his senior would be tested. With a deep breath, he made his way towards the HouseMaster's quarters to report his arrival, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
Hans too found himself standing outside the HouseMaster's office, preparing to report as the newest member of the Prophets. Among all the Houses in Concordia, the Prophets were entrusted with the weighty responsibility of overseeing the administration of the Floatlands, including the Concordia itself.
As Hans knocked on the office door, he heard a voice from inside beckoning him to come in. Walter, the HouseMaster, greeted him warmly, expressing his delight at the arrival of their youngest member.
However, Hans couldn't help but interject with a tone of bitterness,
I almost failed, Professor. The wounds of betrayal are still fresh.
Walter chuckled in response to Hans' comment, a wry smile playing across his face. "Do not trust anyone here, kid," he warned. "This is a battlefield, and don't expect anyone to take your side until you have some leverage over them. That's just how things work in our House - we're here to create the perfect leaders, not babysitting"
He continued,
Your father was groomed here, and so was your sister, almost.
Hans nodded his understanding, and Walter moved on to another topic. "Have you selected the compulsory subjects for our House next year?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
Hans had done his research before arriving at the Prophets' castle. He knew that the courses in the second year would be different from the first, with students being given a stipend and the freedom to choose their own work within their House for the three compulsory subjects. The goal was to groom them in their respective fields, but there were also three electives available for students to choose from.
As Hans discussed his course selections with Walter, he mentioned that he wasn't particularly strong in finance or economics and was considering a managerial subject. However, before he could finish his sentence, Walter interrupted him.
"You won't be taking any of the compulsory courses," he said, surprising Hans.
Hans couldn't hide his delight at this news, but Walter quickly chided him for showing his emotions so openly. "But you will be taking these instead," he added, as he handed Hans a list of courses
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