Elyandra stopped at the threshold of room 12, the words of apology still echoing in the air. Her golden eyes widened slightly. Before her stood a figure she had already encountered several times that day — and who, in a way, rivaled her own aura of nobility.
There she was: Seraphina Vancroft. Her long black hair framed her serene face, and her signature bangs partially covered one of her eyes. It was impossible for Elyandra's memories not to recognize her: the young lady of House Vancroft, the Lady of the Sea, who exuded an unshakable class and composure.
The air between them seemed to vibrate with a silent tension. Elyandra had imagined sharing the room with some lesser noble, or perhaps even a stranger. But Seraphina Vancroft? That was unexpected.
Seraphina, with her usual composure, lifted her gaze from the book in her hands.
— There's no need to worry, Lady Valemortis. I was simply getting a head start on my reading.
She was dressed in her usual noble attire, impeccably neat, even in what should have been a moment of rest. The book in her hands had a familiar cover, and Elyandra noticed it was a volume on imperial navigation — something she had seen in the Valemortis family library but never had time to read. A spark of interest, almost a silent fascination, flickered in Elyandra's golden eyes, but Seraphina did not notice it.
Elyandra stepped away from the door, her eyes still fixed on Seraphina's slender figure as she sat on one of the beds. She headed toward the other bed, her thoughts wandering. "It really is interesting to share a room with a high-class lady," she pondered. She was used to living among the high nobility, but Seraphina exuded a distinct aura, something she didn't see in the other noble children. It was a maturity, a presence that set her apart.
With graceful movements, Elyandra sat down on the other bed, her hands resting calmly on her legs as she silently observed Seraphina.
Both were only nine years old, yet their minds carried the weight of old souls. This intrigued Elyandra deeply. In her own eyes, she was a reincarnated person — a nine-year-old girl with the mind of a man who had already passed thirty when he left his original world. However, the girl in front of her, Seraphina, was the same age but possessed a refined posture, a tranquility, and a seriousness that seemed to belong to someone much older. It was, indeed, intriguing.
Elyandra scanned the room with her eyes, admiring its fine and noble structure, exactly as she expected from a dormitory at the Royal Academy. While observing every detail, her gaze landed on Seraphina's suitcase, elegantly placed beside her bed. It was a shock. A chill ran down Elyandra's spine as she realized she had not prepared a suitcase in advance.
Her hand rose to her chin, her mind racing for a solution. "How stupid of me not to have researched what the exams or the routine here would be like," she thought, self-criticism hitting hard. "Now I'll have to figure this out somehow."
Her gaze turned back to Seraphina. "She is a high-class noble, naturally an example. Just like me. I can't show any less composure than hers. I need to think of something, or my first impression on her will be that of a relaxed noble." The pressure to maintain her model noble image was immense, and this unexpected detail had caught her off guard.
Seraphina then raised her eyes to Elyandra, her gaze carrying a cold gleam, yet with a certain charm that Elyandra could not help but notice. Elyandra maintained her composure, her mask of the exemplary noble remaining perfect.
— I apologize for interrupting your thoughts, Lady Valemortis — said Seraphina, her voice calm and controlled.
Elyandra frowned, not quite understanding.
— What do you mean, Lady Vancroft?
Seraphina turned her face to the side, averting her gaze from Elyandra, and continued in her unchanged noble tone:
— I was the first to arrive. I immersed myself in my book and forgot to tell you that some servants from House Valemortis brought your suitcase. They left it beside the door, and I picked it up and placed it under your bed.
Elyandra took a few moments to process the information.
— Under it? Thank you for your care.
— I have a certain knack for being careful — Seraphina replied. — I wanted to leave your suitcase in a more private place, so to speak.
Elyandra analyzed Seraphina's words, realizing there was no malice or mischievous thoughts behind them. Her own thoughts calmed down.
— It's all right, Lady Vancroft.
Seraphina then asked, maintaining her noble and serious tone, typical of a high-class lady:
— Were you worried about what happened to the suitcase?
Elyandra disguised it with a light smile.
— That wasn't exactly what was on my mind.
Seraphina placed her bookmark between the pages of the book and stood up, saying:
— Allow me to get your suitcase for you.
Elyandra, also standing up to get her own suitcase, replied:
— There's no need to trouble yourself.
However, both moved at the same time. With a not-so-noble movement, they collided. Seraphina, with her unexpected strength, ended up knocking Elyandra down and falling on top of her. Elyandra's golden eyes met Seraphina's blue ones. They locked for a brief moment.
Elyandra stared at her with a calm gaze, even though, in her mind, she thought: "This is a problem." She had hit her head on the side of the bed. It wasn't fatal, but a nagging pain throbbed, and she struggled to hide it.
Seraphina stared back with the same serious expression, a nearly imperceptible flash of surprise in her eyes. She lifted her face, moving it away from Elyandra's, but still remained on top of her.
— I apologize, Lady Elyandra — said Seraphina. — It was not my intention to knock you down.
Elyandra, still feeling the slight pain in her head, replied:
— It's all right, Lady Vancroft.
When Elyandra tried to get up, Seraphina's hand rested on her shoulder, holding her down. Elyandra was surprised, but did not break her noble mask. Seraphina's hand then extended, approaching Elyandra's face, making her wonder what it was about. A certain tension hovered in Elyandra's mind, until Seraphina's hand passed by her and grabbed the handle of Elyandra's suitcase, pulling it out from under the bed.
Both stood up shortly after, with Seraphina apologizing again and Elyandra assuring her that everything was fine.
They stared at each other for a few seconds. Seraphina then returned to her bed and picked up the book again. Elyandra sighed for a moment, sat down on her own bed, and opened her suitcase. There were her sleepwear and other clothes for the exam days. She let out a soft sigh before noticing a letter.
She thought it was from her mother, and a pleasant warmth spread through her chest at her mother's attention. She picked up the letter to read it, but her expression turned into a mix of empty smile and vacant eyes.
— I can't believe this… — she said, her voice almost a whisper.
The letter was from her father. In it, Lord Valemortis wrote that he had noticed Elyandra hadn't realized she wouldn't be returning home for a while, so he had asked the servants to prepare clothes for her and wished his daughter good luck on the exams.
Elyandra closed her suitcase and pondered for several long minutes that it would be best to go to sleep. It was late, and fatigue was beginning to set in. Sighing softly, she got up from the bed and opened the suitcase again. She took out her sleepwear, but her eyes soon scanned the room, noticing the lack of a bathroom or any place where she could change. The question "Where am I going to change to go to sleep?" lingered in her mind.
Suddenly, the sound of a yawn caught her attention. She looked back and saw Seraphina covering her mouth with her hand. The noble from House Vancroft closed the book, declaring that she had read enough for now, and stood up. Elyandra watched her with curious eyes. Seraphina picked up her own suitcase, placed it on the bed, and took out her sleepwear. Elyandra, realizing the girl was also going to change, saw an opportunity to find out where to do it.
In a noble manner, she asked:
— Lady Vancroft, do you know where we could change?
Seraphina turned her gaze to her, observing Elyandra's usual noble expression. Then she looked back at her suitcase and replied:
— I don't know a specific place for that, nor do I see the need. We are high-class nobles, and I, at least, am used to being changed by my servants.
"Well, I'm also used to being changed by other people, especially when Siris used to serve me," Elyandra thought. "But here the issue is different."
Elyandra turned her eyes forward again, once more immersed in thoughts about where she would change. The sound of a zipper opening caught her attention, and a chill ran up her spine. She glanced sideways behind her and saw Seraphina opening the side of her skirt. Before she could see anything else, Elyandra tossed her sleepwear back into her suitcase and closed it with a quick snap. Then she grabbed the suitcase and ran to the door, opening and closing it in quick succession.
Seraphina noticed Elyandra's sudden exit and wondered:
— What was that?
Outside the room, while desperately searching her mind for where the dormitory bathroom was, Elyandra thought, her mental voice filled with disbelief: "How can people have the capacity to do something like that? Even in my previous life, I would never have dreamed of sharing a public bath. The lack of shame people have is terrifying!"
Elyandra finally found a bathroom and changed, making sure no one was around. She made her way back to the room like a cat fleeing from the rain, taking every precaution so that no one would see her on her return. Upon entering the room, she found Seraphina already sleeping peacefully.
Elyandra's face finally allowed her mask to drop, revealing an expression of pure disbelief. In an almost inaudible whisper, she murmured:
— It's incredible how someone can sleep with the door open.
She was stunned by the tranquility on Seraphina's face.
Without caring too much about Seraphina's peculiarity, Elyandra headed to her bed, placing her suitcase at the foot of it. She lay down and covered herself, shielding herself from the cold that was beginning to settle in. She stared at the ceiling for long minutes, her eyes alert, as if waiting for something. She felt somewhat melancholic and alone, a bitter feeling that filled her. She wished someone would say something, anything, so she could use a bit more of her strength. But only silence accompanied her.
Turning her face toward Seraphina's bed, she saw her sleeping peacefully. "It's strange to be away from home," Elyandra thought. "I'm not sure if this is what I want right now… No! What kind of thought is that? I didn't come here to give up now!"
With a light slap to her own face, which hurt a little, Elyandra cast out her insecurity. She checked if Seraphina had noticed anything. However, her roommate continued to sleep deeply. Elyandra sighed, closed her eyes, and finally fell asleep.
The sun was slowly rising, its first golden rays barely reaching the room's window, indicating it was still the end of the night. Seraphina rose with her usual noble grace. She opened her suitcase and picked up a comb, beginning to brush her black hair, her eyes following each strand with precision and care.
As she prepared herself, a thought occurred to her. "That's right, I'm sharing the room with Lady Elyandra." She remembered her roommate and, with a slight glance toward the bed beside her, thought: "Did I wake her?"
Seraphina turned to check on Elyandra, but was met with a perfectly made bed and Elyandra's suitcase neatly placed in front of it. The scene surprised her. Seraphina blinked, intrigued. "What could Lady Elyandra be doing at this hour of the morning?"
Outside the dormitory, Elyandra was stretching and doing warm-ups, the cool morning breeze hitting her face and causing small shivers on her skin. She was wearing her training clothes and thought: "Good thing they packed my training outfit. If I stop training now, I'll become relaxed and lazy, so I need to put my morning workout into practice right away."
While rubbing her hands together to generate a little warmth before warming her face, she began to run. Her slow steps became faster as she built up a rhythm. Her tied hair swayed, and she controlled her breathing so as not to tire quickly. After completing a full lap around the campus, she stopped, panting and with sweat on her face.
"Compared to my previous life, I have much more endurance even as a child," she thought. "I'm tired, but I'm sure any child my age would have stopped before running even a fifth of the distance I just did. I don't know whether to feel happy or angry about having been that miserable sedentary person."
Elyandra then lowered herself to the ground and began doing push-ups, followed by sit-ups, and finally squats. After finishing her physical training, she sat near a garden, crossed her legs in a meditation pose, and began to sense her mana flow. She used her divine magic, generating a golden aura around her. She felt the divine power coursing through her veins and skin, a smile spreading across her face before she stopped using it.
She stood up and looked upward, noticing the sun beginning to shine.
— I never had the chance to run in such a vast place, even when training with Dalia — she said. — Anyway, the next stage of the exam is today. I need to do my best.
She stared at her hand before clenching it tightly.
Elyandra returned inside the dormitory and headed to the room. Upon entering, she noticed that Seraphina was no longer there. She picked up her new clothes and left the room, heading without much thought to the dormitory showers. When she entered, she realized the place was empty, which left her feeling relieved.
Elyandra removed her clothes and entered one of the stalls, which contained showers and bathtubs. It was a refined place, with a marble design, beautiful and peaceful. She took a hot bath, washing away the sweat from her morning training and shaking off the sleepiness. After washing her hair and feeling refreshed, she got out and changed clothes. When she opened the stall door, she noticed that other people were starting to leave their rooms in the dormitory.
Elyandra was now wearing her standard attire. While returning to her room, she saw some people staring at her and wished them all a good morning. The murmurs about her continued, with people admiring her presence. She held her neatly folded training clothes and smiled cheerfully with her pure maiden mask.
Upon entering the room, Elyandra sighed. Quickly, she stored her dirty clothes in the suitcase, organizing them separately from the clean ones, and picked up her iconic black ribbon. Slowly, she tied it behind her head, securing her hair. She headed to the door, opened it, and finally began her day.
As she walked through the corridors filled with nobles, Elyandra attracted stares. She found the attention uncomfortable, feeling a blush rising to her face, which she disguised beneath the warm smile of a noble. She displayed the education she had received for years, exchanging flawless "good mornings."
As she descended the dormitory stairs, she came across the main hall. There, Celestina Lyra, the noble with short hair and golden eyes identical to Elyandra's, was surrounded by nobles. Celestina clearly looked troubled; many people were asking her questions, and an expression of embarrassment and fear was stamped on her face. Elyandra recognized the situation and thought, with a light and comical laugh: "Looks like Celestina is in trouble. I understand better than anyone what you're going through."
She let out a soft sigh, considering that it might be better to avoid that event. However, more and more nobles were gathering around Celestina, who was beginning to be overwhelmed by questions. Elyandra looked at the situation again, various thoughts swirling in her mind. She let out a long sigh and concluded: "I'm going to hate myself for this, but I think this is the right thing to do."
Elyandra then walked toward the crowd of people. As she descended the stairs, her presence drew the attention of other nobles; her posture radiated an aura beyond the norm, even more evident for a nine-year-old girl. Soon, the nobles surrounding Celestina stopped their questions and turned to look at Elyandra. Immediately, a new wave of murmurs began.
Elyandra could hear the whispers. On her visible countenance, she maintained the best noble posture expected; inside, however, she was burning with anguish and embarrassment. The nobles around that scene observed two sides of the same coin, so different that they barely seemed similar, even while sharing certain situations. They saw Elyandra, a high-caste noble, with an impeccable aura, perfect posture, and an enviable tone even for the most influential, a girl who carried the golden eyes of the Saint. On the other side, Celestina, also a high-caste noble, accompanied by a peerless purity, an embarrassed posture, a kind and shy tone, also a girl who carried the weight of being a Saint.
In that environment, the only thing that differentiated them was the fact that Elyandra wore the pure-blood earring, an item clearly noticed by the other nobles, sparking new murmurs. Elyandra let out a light cough, covered by her hand, which caught everyone's attention. She lowered her hand, placing both in front of her body, and said:
— Good morning to everyone.
Everyone replied with a "good morning." Elyandra then looked at Celestina and asked:
— Lady Lyra, would you like to accompany me for a moment?
Celestina was speechless for a moment, her voice somewhat trembling as she answered:
— Y-yes…
Elyandra walked past Celestina, who followed her with her eyes. For a moment, their golden gazes met. Celestina felt an unparalleled connection with Elyandra. On the other hand, Elyandra saw in the girl the appearance of a newborn kitten. "She looks like a lost cat looking for its owner. It's actually kind of cute," Elyandra thought, a slight smile playing on her lips.
At that same moment, Elyandra looked forward and continued walking. Celestina hurried her steps to follow Elyandra, and together they left the dormitory, walking along a path between the gardens. Silence accompanied them, and Elyandra looked around, appreciating the environment she hadn't had time to observe before.
Suddenly, something stopped her walk. Something wrapped around her hand with warmth, and at the same moment, she was gently pulled backward. Elyandra didn't understand what had happened, her mind drifting. She looked back and saw Celestina holding her hand.
— Lady Lyra… do you need something? — Elyandra asked.
Celestina, her voice still somewhat trembling, replied:
— Ah… yes, thank you for the help, Lady Valemortis.
Elyandra smiled. She turned around, now free from Celestina's grasp, and said:
— There's no need to worry about that. I don't like crowds either, so it was somewhat easy for me to identify that you needed help.
Celestina heard Elyandra's words and a genuine smile danced on her lips.
— Thank you — she replied, her voice firmer.
Elyandra turned again.
— Now, if you'll allow me, I'd like some coffee. Would you keep me company for breakfast?
Celestina blushed slightly, her golden eyes sparkling.
— I-I'd love to! — she stammered, a shy enthusiasm in her voice.
Elyandra and Celestina headed to the academy's dining hall, a salon that echoed the grandeur already seen in the other areas. It was not an ordinary cafeteria; it was an extension of the luxury and opulence that permeated every inch of the institution. The doors opened to a vast space, bathed in soft light coming from large windows with white and golden stained glass, casting intricate patterns on the polished marble floor that reflected everything around it.
The environment was filled with nobles already gathered for breakfast and preparing for the long day of exams. The murmur of voices was restrained but constant, accompanied by the soft clinking of cutlery and porcelain cups. Long, rustic tables of dark, solid wood stretched across the hall, adorned with immaculate linen tablecloths and fresh flower arrangements.
On them, a variety of fine dishes designed for breakfast were available. There were silver trays full of artisanal breads of various shapes, exotic jams in crystal jars, fine cheeses, and slices of rare fruits that looked like jewels. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked sweets filled the air, blending with the subtle scent of beeswax and polished wood.
Everything there exuded the Victorian vibe Elyandra had already noticed, with a white and golden color palette dominating the scene, giving the dining hall an almost sacred air of refinement. The nobles themselves, in their elegant attire and trained postures, served themselves with a delicacy that turned the act of eating into a ceremony.
Elyandra and Celestina joined the line, ready to enjoy the meal that would prepare them for the day's challenges.
Elyandra observed the options in front of her, an almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips. So many delights, and her "old self" mind that loved sweets longed to try them all. But here, she would restrain herself. She varied her plate, taking few items and in small quantities, a gesture of self-control that did not go unnoticed.
Celestina followed her, observing and, in a way, imitating her — sometimes picking the same items and, at others, trying to copy her refined gestures.
After finishing serving herself, Elyandra headed to the only empty table in the farthest corner of the hall and sat down. The choice drew the attention of the other nobles; after all, a high-class lady like her would usually position herself in a place of prominence. Even Celestina was surprised.
— Lady Valemortis… why did you choose this table? — Celestina whispered as she sat beside her.
Elyandra turned her eyes to Celestina, her expression curious.
— What do you mean by that, Lady Lyra?
Celestina then clasped her fingers over her plate, looking at it with shyness.
— Well… it's just that we are high-caste nobles. Isn't it against our nature to be in more… noticeable places? Staying in corners like this is usually a choice for nobles of the lowest caste.
At that moment, Elyandra felt a shock. She had made a serious mistake, momentarily forgetting her status because she was focused on the meal. Her mind exploded in search of an answer, while she noticed the suspicious glances from other nobles.
With a refined posture and tone, Elyandra asked:
— Lady Lyra, do you think we are superior to the other nobles present here?
Celestina blushed, gesturing timidly.
— N-no! Lady Valemortis, we are all equal in the eyes of the Goddess!
Elyandra smiled in a refined and enlightened manner. There was the opportunity she wanted.
— Exactly, Lady Lyra. Indeed, we are high-caste nobles, but we are all equal in the eyes of the Goddess. I do not see these nobles around us as inferior to me. That is why I will always choose for them and myself to receive the same treatment.
Such an enlightened speech surprised everyone present. The low-caste nobles, in particular, felt deeply happy to be noticed and valued by a noble of such stature. Elyandra, for her part, noticed the commotion she had caused and realized she had managed to avoid future problems related to "noble idiocies," as she herself thought.
Celestina blushed intensely, turning her gaze forward and covering her mouth and nose with her hands. Her golden eyes sparkled, the excitement palpable. She observed Elyandra, that high-class girl, with an almost reverential admiration. The aura between the two was distinctly different: Celestina felt close to a divinity, while Elyandra, on the other hand, ate her meal in a noble manner but with great joy at finally being able to savor so many delights.
After savoring the last bite of her sweet bread and taking the final sip of coffee, Elyandra finished her meal. With the grace that was peculiar to her, she stood up and, with a fluid movement, carried her plate and cup to the disposal area, making sure everything was perfectly organized. Celestina, with an almost adorable enthusiasm, followed closely behind, imitating each of her gestures with silent devotion.
Both left the dining hall, the morning buzz of the salon fading as they moved away. Elyandra was already preparing for the next stage of the day when, as she turned the corner, she came across a familiar figure whose imposing presence filled the space: Armand Velacroix. He stood there, with his elegant posture and an eternal-looking smile, as if he had been waiting for them.
Elyandra took the initiative, offering a light bow and a clear greeting.
— Good morning, Professor Armand.
Celestina, right behind her, hurried to do the same, her voice a little softer.
— Good morning, Professor.
Armand smiled, his blue eyes observing the two young ladies.
— Good morning to you both as well, Lady Valemortis, Lady Lyra.
He was flipping through a small book that seemed to contain quick notes. With an agile movement, he closed it and stretched, the defined muscles of his arms extending under the thin fabric. A challenging, almost amused look appeared on his face as he turned to the girls.
— Ready for the second exam?
A subtle but palpable aura emanated from him, washing over the two. Celestina took an almost imperceptible step back, a sudden fear in her golden eyes upon feeling the intensity of that contained power. Elyandra, however, simply smiled, her posture unshakable.
— Certainly, Professor Armand.
Elyandra's calm and confident response echoed in the corridor, the promise of a new challenge hanging in the air.