"Do you really have to leave?" Lord Rael LeFlare lamented. "Can't we arrange for your education here? We can hire the finest tutor that money can afford."

Rael LeFlare, the esteemed Lord of Verona and Duke of Saelle, ruled over the southern region of Acadia with grace and flair. As one of the four Dukes of Acadia, his authority in the south was superseded only by King Deis Charlis. The LeFlare lineage, which traced back to Acadia's inception as a small settlement of just five families, had upheld this power and prestige for countless generations. As Acadia grew, the LeFlare name similarly rose in prominence, becoming a symbol of the south's prosperity.

Given this, it was hardly surprising that Rael was so highly regarded throughout Acadia. However, behind this public image was a different side to him. To the rest of Acadia and the broader world, he was the polished, responsible, and noble Lord LeFlare. However, to Ravel—his only daughter and youngest child—he was an overbearing and annoying father, doting to the point of suffocation.

Ravel was still amazed she was allowed to make the trip she was making. She had barely managed to persuade her father to let her attend Akademos, using her recent fourteenth birthday as leverage. But now, she could sense his hesitation, the imminent threat of him revoking his consent.

"Father, we've discussed this countless times. I want to do this," Ravel replied firmly, her steps resolute towards the courtyard.

She had planned meticulously for this day, the day of her journey to Akademos. Everything had been packed and prepared for a pre-dawn departure, hoping to avoid any last-minute interventions from her father. But to her horror, she had overslept until nearly midday, as none of the household staff had woken her. Ravel had no doubts; it was her father's attempt to ensure she missed the entrance examination, forcing her to stay another year.

"You promised to let me do this," Ravel reiterated, advancing into the magnificent courtyard of Verona Castle. The castle, a testament to her family's long-standing rule over the southern reaches of Acadia, loomed majestically against a backdrop of lush greenery. Its towering spires, carved of red and gold stone pierced the sky with regal poise, appearing like columns of spiraling flames in the early afternoon sun.

Neatly trimmed hedges and colorful flower beds lined her path as Ravel made her way to a distinctive metal carriage that sat, ready for her departure. At the front, where horses would typically be hitched, a sizable transparent orb held a blue gem suspended in a clear fluid. Servants bustled about, purposefully avoiding Ravel's gaze as they loaded the final few of her weighty suitcases into the carriage, likely feeling complicit in her father's scheme.

A cool breeze swept across the courtyard, causing the red and white dogwood blossoms to dance and Ravel's disheveled amber hair to ripple across her face. Ravel extended her hand, and a servant promptly passed her a gleaming hairpin featuring an "L" encased within golden flames. Ravel grinned as she secured her red hair into a lengthy ponytail, savoring anything that made her feel like her elder brother, Rayel.

"But Lili—" her father attempted.

"Goodbye, Mom," Ravel preempted. "Goodbye, Dad. I'll miss you both. I promise to visit during the holidays," she declared, sharing an embrace with each. However, when her turn came to hug her father, he held on tightly, refusing to release her. It took the combined efforts of her mother, two servants, and Sir Ilyne, a knight in their family's service, to forcibly pry her from his grasp.

Quickly, Ravel climbed into the carriage before her father could make another attempt to stop her. Her chauffeur shut the door behind her and settled onto a seat adjacent to an array of levers. He pulled one back, prompting the gem to twitch and spin at a rapid pace, casting a blue radiance that filled the orb. The glow threaded its way through the carriage, igniting it with a gentle hum. The driver yanked another lever, and the Cartus lurched forward.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Ravel waved to her family as the vehicle pulled away from the courtyard. Her mom waved back while her father sobbed uncontrollably into his wife's comforting embrace.

"Take care, darling. Have a safe journey. Don't forget to write to us as soon as you arrive," Ravel's mother shouted, her voice steady despite the tears welling in her eyes.

"I promise!" Ravel responded.

"No, come back! I've reconsidered; I can't bear the thought of you attending that dreadful academy! Ravel, come back!" her father wailed, tears coursing down his cheeks as he chased after the rapidly retreating carriage. "Promise you'll visit, do you hear me? Don't be like your ungrateful older brother!"

Ravel's smile widened. "See you soon, Dad. I love you."

Sullen, Rael retreated to his wife's side, and the castle gates swung shut behind him.

A familiar feeling washed over Ravel as the Cartus exited the estate grounds and into the bustling city. Her heart throbbed with the realization that she was truly venturing out on her own, just like Rayel had done years ago. Clutching the glossy red stone of her necklace, she rubbed its polished surface in a soothing rhythm. After a deep breath, she relaxed and settled into her seat.

As the Cartus sped through Verona's streets, it became a spectacle amongst the commonplace horse-drawn carriages. Several children sprinted after the vehicle until it crossed the city gates, where they broke away and scampered toward the sprawling fields. They frolicked and chased each other, their laughter echoing through the air as they played what looked like a fun game. A smile blossomed on Ravel's face as she watched them, her mind flooding with thoughts of an anticipated encounter.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Hurry!" Gayle bellowed as she and her twin brother, Ayran, futilely chased the departing train from Lorne Station. The powerful engines roared on, offering no respite as they left the twins stranded on their voyage to Kneola.

"Damn it," Gayle grumbled, ending her pursuit. She gasped for air, her hand raking through her hair—a tumbling white bob punctuated with faint green streaks that grazed her brown, sun-kissed shoulders. Ayran slumped down beside her, laboring to regain his breath. Although he shared his sister's white hair and dark skin, he was noticeably shorter, and his hair lacked the colored stripes.

Their journey from their home in Corath had been extensive, involving a day on a ship before docking at the Acadian port town of Serul. Their westward trek had landed them in Lorne in a record three hours—a journey that would typically take three times as long. However, thanks to Gayle's unorthodox use of her Art, they had covered a significant amount of ground. Nevertheless, Gayle could sense her Aether reserves dwindling; so after persistent pleas from her brother, she had finally agreed to continue their journey using a more conventional method.

"Oh no," Ayran said, his disappointment clearly staged as they watched the train disappear into the distance. "Looks like we've missed our ride, and unfortunately, the next one isn't due for..." He glanced at the timetable in his hand and the grand clock towering over the station before gasping overdramatically. "A whole five hours! But if we wait, we'll surely miss the entrance exam. What a predicament!" He shook his head solemnly. "It's unfortunate our academic journey ended before it could begin. Well, there's always next year. Alright, back to Corath it is. I'll get our tickets." With that, he sprang to his feet and started toward the ticketing counter.

"Hold it," Gayle ordered, freezing her brother mid-step. "I told you we should've left earlier. But you kept wasting time, and now we've missed the train."

"Um... I don't know what you're talking about," Ayran lied poorly.

Perhaps he hadn't thought she'd figured it out. After all, it was customary to explore whenever visiting a new place. However, his insistence on visiting every shop in town, including the fishery, had given him away—Ayran hated the smell of fish. While he painstakingly browsed the shop, Gayle had noticed him struggling to keep his lunch down.

"Sure you don't," Gayle said, unfazed. "Well, we might've missed the train, but we're not missing our chance at Akademos. So, I guess we have no other choice." A mischievous smile appeared on her lips as she grabbed her brother's hand.

"No, Gayle, don't. Please don't do it. I can't do that again," Ayran pleaded, unable to break free from her vice-like grip.

Gayle pulled out a light green sheet from her bag—a picnic blanket that hadn't been used for its intended purpose in years. She swiftly tied the corners of the sheet around her wrists.

"Grab the bags. We're riding the wind to Akademos." Gayle flashed a grin and cast. "Wind Emission: Gale Burst." A powerful gust of wind erupted from her hands, and as it struck the sheet, the siblings soared into the sky, propelled toward a distant tower. Gayle hooted with excitement, her hair billowing in the wind, while her brother shrieked in terror, clinging tightly to her as if his life depended on it.