The soft light of dawn invaded Elyandra's room, filtering through silk curtains and painting the noble furniture in golden hues. The velvet canopy over her richly adorned bed flickered slightly in the morning breeze—a reminder of the luxury surrounding her. But Elyandra was no longer there.
With the precision of an automaton, she rose. Bare feet touched the soft rug with an almost supernatural silence. She folded the linen sheets with meticulous care, straightening the cushions embroidered with the Valemortis crest. Every movement was executed with an efficiency that belied her age—discipline forged through months of training with Dalia.
Dressed in her usual training gear—a simple, functional set that contrasted sharply with the elaborate dresses of her station—Elyandra cast one last look around the room. It was a space of beauty and comfort, but also a symbol of the restrictions she was determined to overcome. With a nearly imperceptible sigh, she silently bid farewell to the environment, her mind already focused on the challenges ahead.
Elyandra navigated the mansion's corridors with a familiarity that only nine years of life there could grant. Her golden eyes mapped every detail: tapestries faded by time, oil paintings depicting solemn ancestors. It was a labyrinth of history and tradition, but to her, it was simply home.
Upon reaching the courtyard, she found Dalia standing near the fountain, arms crossed over her chest. The tutor seemed to merge with the morning breeze, her posture upright and expression serene, as if absorbing the energy of the new day. The first rays of sun caressed her face, revealing an austere beauty that Elyandra rarely saw.
Noticing Elyandra's approach, Dalia greeted her with impeccable military formality.
— Good morning, Lady Elyandra.
Her "good morning" was direct and concise, without any emotional flourish—like an officer saluting a superior. Elyandra responded with the same discipline, clicking her heels and nodding her head in a short, precise bow.
— Good morning, Dalia.
Dalia broke the silence in a tone that mixed professionalism with slight curiosity.
— Lady Elyandra, I know today is of great importance. The entrance exams for the Royal Academy... they are a rite of passage, a turning point.
She paused, observing the girl's reaction.
— I have my own speculations about what they will seek to evaluate. Your... peculiar training trajectory, your noble origin, your latent abilities... it all creates an... interesting picture.
Dalia narrowed her eyes, as if trying to unravel an enigma.
— They may underestimate you because of your age and appearance. In fact, that is exactly what they will do. They may focus on your divine magic, ignoring your physical combat skills.
She gave a nearly imperceptible smile.
— What do you think, Lady Elyandra? What are your own "hunches" regarding the exams?
Elyandra paused for a moment. Her thoughts traveled through a labyrinth of memories and reflections: long hours of studying magic and politics, exhausting training that shaped her body, the complexity of her role as a near-religious figure—a potential "Saint." These were heavy burdens, responsibilities that would crush many, but she carried them with silent determination.
Finally, a subtle smile formed on her lips. It wasn't arrogance, but a quiet confidence and acceptance of her own path. She raised her golden eyes to Dalia, her expression clear and resolute.
— Whatever lies ahead, Dalia... it doesn't matter. I have prepared for this day. If I am rejected by the Academy, it can only mean one thing: I did not prepare enough. And I am satisfied with my journey so far. I will give my best.
Dalia watched Elyandra's words with an intensity that transcended mere admiration. There was contemplation in her gaze, a deep analysis of the girl she had become. Then, she knelt before her, posture still upright, but with an unexpected softness. The little girl stared at her with curiosity, hands remaining behind her back, maintaining her impeccable composure.
Dalia reached out and gently brushed aside a white lock of hair that fell over Elyandra's face. The gesture surprised the girl, who remained silent, waiting for the tutor's words.
— You have been a very strong and determined girl, Lady Elyandra — Dalia began, her voice laden with a sincerity she rarely showed. — You were the first person I trained at such a young age. Many gave up on my training for... vague reasons.
Elyandra suppressed an ironic smile. "Vague? You cut me to pieces and told me to heal myself for weeks!"
Dalia continued, her eyes locked onto Elyandra's.
— You surprised me. You are as... strange as you are obstinate. This intrigued me deeply. But also... it left me immensely admiring you, my pupil.
She paused, choosing her words carefully.
— I have nothing left to teach you, Lady Elyandra.
The words triggered a storm inside Elyandra. In her thoughts, she entered a state of nearly controlled hysteria. "What? What do you mean, you have nothing left to teach me?! Have you gone mad? I don't have even half of what I need to reach my goals!"
With an urgency that barely disguised her internal panic, she replied aloud:
— I still have much to learn, Dalia. There is...
But before she could complete the sentence, Dalia gently placed a finger over her lips, silencing her instantly. On her face was a serene smile, a tranquility that contrasted with Elyandra's growing apprehension. Dalia shook her head, her eyes conveying unshakable certainty.
Then she spoke with the formal courtesy of a noble and the discipline of a soldier.
— Your path belongs only to you, Lady Elyandra. Remember? I have nothing left to teach you because you already possess everything you need to grow on your own. Divine magic... spiritual magic... these are areas I do not master. But you have all the tools to master them on your own.
Dalia stood up, her eyes meeting Elyandra's for a moment before she stepped back a few paces. Her posture remained rigid and imposing, that of a warrior ready to head into battle. Then she turned to Elyandra, her expression unchanged.
— Let us go, Lady Elyandra. Today will be the last day I participate in your training.
Elyandra felt a tightening in her chest. A mix of resentment and pain washed over her. She clenched her fists, frustration bubbling within.
— You are horrible! You're abandoning me... just like Siris!
The words escaped before she could stop them. In the next instant, she recoiled internally, aware of the cruelty of the comparison. But when she looked up at Dalia, she found only calm and understanding.
Dalia watched her carefully, without anger or judgment.
— I am not abandoning you, Lady Elyandra. Just like you, I also have a path to follow, a job to do. I cannot stay by your side forever.
Elyandra looked away, clutching the fabric of her clothes even tighter in frustration. She knew this would happen, that separation was inevitable. But the reality of the moment hurt more than she expected.
— I know... I know you can't.
Her voice was a muffled whisper.
— Everything went by so fast...
Dalia sighed, a soft sound in the quiet of the courtyard.
— It's true. Time passes far too quickly. That is why we cannot afford the luxury of waiting or stagnating.
Elyandra let go of her dress. Her golden eyes met Dalia's, charged with an intensity that surprised even herself.
— There are no words... No words can express how much I owe you, Dalia.
Dalia responded with her usual composure, but with a softness she rarely demonstrated.
— What I did was merely my job, Lady Elyandra. But... I also have no words to describe what this experience meant to me. I loved the time we spent together. However short it may have been.
Elyandra took a step forward. The tutor watched her approach in silence, waiting for what the little girl held in her heart. Then Elyandra hugged her. Her small body could barely wrap around Dalia's waist, but the gesture was laden with deep affection and gratitude.
— You were my pillar, Dalia. Without you... I don't know where I would be now. And if you dare forget me... I will never forgive you. Whenever you wish, you may come back to visit.
Dalia felt a subtle tremor in her lips—an emotion she didn't know how to decipher. A mix of pride, affection, and perhaps a hint of melancholy. Without hesitation, she knelt and wrapped Elyandra in a warm embrace, returning the gesture with unexpected intensity.
Nearby, in a discreet spot in the courtyard, Lord and Lady Valemortis observed the scene. Their gazes were different, expressions laden with nuances only they could decode. Lord Valemortis, his posture always upright and countenance austere, analyzed the interaction with a sharp eye. Lady Valemortis showed more open curiosity, her green eyes reflecting a mix of tenderness and melancholy. Both speculated on what that farewell could mean for Elyandra's future. But one thing was certain in their minds: that page of the book of Elyandra's life had come to an end, and a new one was about to be written.
The day slipped away as quickly as it had begun. After the emotional farewell with Dalia, Elyandra followed her usual routine. She participated in morning training, had lunch with the family—sharing the table with Dalia for the last time—and spent the afternoon in her studies, reviewing the materials for the Magic Academy exams. Dinner was a quiet event, marked by an atmosphere of silent expectation. And finally, night found her back in her quarters, hunched over scrolls and books, absorbing knowledge with her usual voracity.
Elyandra closed the book with a soft sigh, a nearly inaudible sound echoing in the silence of her room. The darkness outside wrapped the mansion in a shroud of stillness, but in her mind, a whirlwind of thoughts came to life.
"Where am I now... and where have I been?" The question resonated in her consciousness, casting a retrospective glance over the tortuous path she had traveled.
Her mind wandered back to her previous life—a blur of memories amidst the chaos of a world that no longer belonged to her. The 32-year-old man, consumed by a relentless addiction, wasting away in a dark room, seeking refuge in a virtual world. The irony was not lost on Elyandra: he sought power and freedom in a game, only to become a prisoner of his own obsession.
"Who was I... and who am I?" The transition to Elyandra Valemortis had been a shock, a violent awakening to a completely different reality. The fragile body of a child, the responsibilities of a noble, the constant pressure of unrealistic expectations. She remembered the confusion, the disorientation, the struggle to reconcile the memories of her past life with the identity she was now forced to embrace.
Losses haunted her like ghosts of the past. Siris, the mother figure who had offered her comfort and safety, brutally torn from her life. The pain of loss still pulsed in her chest, a constant reminder of life's fragility and the world's cruelty.
But there were also gains, achievements that shaped her new existence. The unexpected friendship with Dalia, a rigorous yet loyal tutor who taught her to fight and survive. The respect (or perhaps cautious admiration) of her father, an enigmatic and distant man who gifted her a sword laden with meaning. Lady Altheria, a woman as serene as an angel who welcomed her, her affection notable, the kind of person who soothed her heart at the right moments. And finally, Callen—a new ally who bowed as someone willing to do anything to help Elyandra.
"Where am I going... and what do I want to achieve?" The final question echoed in her mind, a lighthouse amidst the darkness of her reflections. Elyandra was no longer lost. She had found a purpose, a direction for her journey. She sought power, not just to protect herself, but to shape her own destiny, to challenge the expectations imposed on her, to become someone no one could control. And Callen, with his intelligence and unique position, was an important piece in her plans.
The Royal Academy exams were just a step on that path. An obstacle to be overcome, an opportunity to prove to herself and the world what she was capable of. And Elyandra was ready.
Another day dawned over the Valemortis mansion, but this one was laden with an air of subtle melancholy. Elyandra, accompanied by her parents, was gathered in front of the main entrance. Dalia, dressed for the journey and with bags already packed, waited for the moment of departure. The atmosphere was undeniably one of farewell, but there were no tears or obvious expressions of sadness on any of the faces. Instead, there was a solemn composure, a silent acceptance of the inevitability of the departure.
Lord Valemortis took the first step in the farewell, his voice firm and formal.
— We thank you for your services, Dalia.
Dalia responded with an elegant tilt of her head, her posture impeccable.
— It was an honor to serve you, Lord Valemortis.
Lady Valemortis then approached, surprising everyone with an unexpected gesture. She wrapped Dalia in a warm embrace, a stark contrast to the formality of the situation.
— It was very pleasant to have your presence with us during this time, Dalia. You will be missed.
Dalia returned the hug briefly, her expression softening slightly.
— I thank you for the hospitality, Lady Valemortis. Living with you was a very pleasant experience.
During these farewells, Elyandra remained in silence, observing the interaction between her family and Dalia. Her golden eyes followed every movement, every word exchanged. It was only when Dalia turned her eyes toward her that attention shifted back to the young Valemortis.
Dalia then approached Elyandra, her expression softening into a more personal tone.
— You were a great apprentice, Lady Elyandra. You proved to be someone obstinate and capable of reaching any goal you set for yourself. I depart knowing my work here is complete.
She offered a small smile to Elyandra, a gesture of recognition and pride. Elyandra took a deep breath, filling her lungs with air, and let it out slowly. Her golden eyes met Dalia's, her expression serious and determined. Then, with rehearsed formality, she began her speech.
— Dalia... there are no words that can express the importance you had in my development. I will never forget everything you taught me.
She paused briefly, her voice gaining a tone of sincerity.
— No matter what path I choose to follow, your teachings will always guide me. And I will count the days until your next visit.
Dalia's always-serious face softened into an expression of satisfaction. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a delicate necklace, from which hung a small golden stone. Carefully, she placed the necklace around Elyandra's neck. The little one was surprised by the unexpected gesture, and Dalia explained:
— I did not prepare anything beforehand for your birthday, Lady Elyandra. It took me a while to find something that would suit you... something that would match you. I think this is the most fitting.
Elyandra caught the necklace between her fingers, feeling the smooth texture of the golden stone. With a careful movement, she tucked it under her clothes, keeping it close to her neck. Her eyes shone with renewed determination, a silent promise to honor the gift and the tutor who offered it.
She looked up at Dalia again, her voice full of sincerity.
— I couldn't ask for more, Dalia.
And with one last gesture of affection, she wrapped Dalia in a hug. Dalia smiled softly at Elyandra, one final look of farewell before turning and heading to the carriage waiting for her. Lord and Lady Valemortis watched her departure in silence, their expressions indecipherable. Elyandra, for her part, remained standing, feeling the weight of the golden necklace on her neck and the growing absence of the tutor who had become such an important figure in her life.
As the carriage pulled away, carrying Dalia away from the Valemortis mansion, Elyandra tightened her fingers around the necklace, reaffirming her resolve. The past had become an indelible part of who she was, but the future stretched out before her, full of possibilities and challenges. And Elyandra was ready to face it.