Elyandra walked through the vast fields of the academy, the afternoon sun already high in the sky, but her mind was far from the serene beauty of the surroundings. With her hand resting under her chin, she tried to process what had just happened. "I don't know if I communicated properly with her," she thought. "It was very… I don't know, she's a follower of the Church? She speaks in such an artificial way."
As she delved deeper into these thoughts, Elyandra stopped abruptly, her soul turning cold. In a low voice, almost inaudible, she questioned herself: "Wait a minute… it couldn't have been a coincidence that she was in my group. A Church follower ending up in the same group as me is too unreal to be a coincidence. Was she following me?" She disguised it, looking around, but noticed nothing unusual. Her eyes then turned forward again, and she resumed walking with impeccable noble posture, maintaining the perfect pose.
Behind her unshakable expression, Elyandra's mind was boiling. "I'm sure this wasn't something random. She was following me, but I was slow to notice…" Flashes of old teachings she had learned from her mother and seen in her studies came back to mind. "The Church of the Divine Light, faithful who follow the Goddess… some say that those blessed with the paths of the Saint hear the Goddess in their ears, even though I have never witnessed such voices or surreal encounters. But if there was a member of the Church here and that person was literally watching me and Celestina…"
Cloudy thoughts clouded her mind, until a familiar voice caught her attention. Elyandra turned instantly, the scare almost making her falter.
— Lady Valemortis! — Celestina exclaimed.
The abrupt voice startled Elyandra, but she disguised it with a serene smile.
— Good afternoon, Lady Lyra — she greeted, her voice calm and controlled, a perfection of pose that barely hid the slight surprise. — What brings you here in such a hurry?
Celestina finally caught up to her, panting, and began to speak.
— I was looking for you all over the academy! — Her eyes shone with a mix of anxiety and relief.
"All over the academy?" Elyandra thought, a small shiver running down her spine. Eliora's search had already put her on alert, and now Celestina reinforced the idea that her presence was the target of attention.
— To what do I owe this whole search on your part? — Elyandra questioned, keeping a cheerful and confused face, perfectly orchestrated not to show her inner thoughts.
Celestina gestured with her hands, worry evident on her face.
— I wanted to ask what you thought of your test today. Mine was very complicated, so to speak. I don't know if I did well… — Celestina finished with a somewhat downcast look, staring at the ground.
Elyandra felt a pang of empathy for the girl's anxiety.
— My test was also somewhat complicated, Lady Lyra. My theme was related to military matters.
Celestina abruptly lifted her face, her golden eyes wide and fixed on Elyandra. She moved closer, almost invading her personal space.
— Military?! But why?! — she asked, genuine surprise in her voice.
Elyandra discreetly took a step back due to the sudden approach.
— Well… what was your theme, Lady Lyra? — she inquired, steering the conversation toward the other girl.
Celestina began gesturing again, feelings bubbling over.
— My test was related to religious matters and their impact on the Empire's democracy. I had to come up with a way to soften the influence of faith on political affairs so that both could coexist, but that's something rather absurd, isn't it? Our faith should not be stifled by means as insane as politics!
Listening carefully to that statement, Elyandra thought: "It's to be expected that she would think that way, after all Celestina comes from a house closely linked to the Church. But this only confirms that those tests were created targeting our houses. Basically, they were tests designed focusing on us. Is this somehow fair?"
Elyandra extended her hands in a gentle gesture as if asking for calm, her smile remaining kind.
— Calm down, Lady Lyra. I believe these tests were designed with our social positions in relation to our houses in mind.
Celestina paused for a minute, her agitation decreasing as she reflected on the possibility.
— That makes sense, indeed… — she said, thoughtful. — Do you think we would have the chance to ask the professors directly about this?
Elyandra shook her head, the slight movement conveying certainty. She clearly remembered how Armand had refused to reveal any information about the first test. She already knew that wasn't going to happen.
Celestina seemed a bit annoyed, a subtle pout visible on her lips.
— That doesn't seem right. As Saints, we should stand up against this! This is called censorship of faith!
Elyandra stopped, a slightly trembling smile appearing on her lips, as if she wanted to laugh. "She sounds like a child throwing a tantrum… no, wait, she is a child. A child talking about censorship is actually quite funny." She recomposed her posture, her smile firming up.
— I think both sides can coexist, Lady Lyra. But in a way that one doesn't interfere in the affairs of the other.
Celestina looked somewhat confused, her golden eyes widening slightly.
— What do you mean? Could you explain?
Elyandra noticed that she had gotten herself into a mess. She didn't like giving long explanations, especially in public. She sighed, an internal uproar.
— Well… I want to make it clear that everything I say now is an opinion. It may change in the future or be altered, since I don't have much basis to elaborate something like this out of nowhere.
Celestina nodded in agreement, her eyes fixed on Elyandra, her interest evident. Noticing the attention, Elyandra continued, her voice taking on a more formal and eloquent tone.
— For a truly prosperous society to sustain itself, it is essential that there be a solid and well-managed structure. The Empire, in its wisdom and authority, ensures the balance between the rights of citizens and the fulfillment of the laws that guarantee our security and well-being. Its presence not only organizes but sustains the social fabric, offering the foundations upon which order and progress rest.
Celestina seemed even more captivated, absorbing every word. Elyandra raised a finger in front of her, marking an important point.
— However, order alone is not enough to move the human spirit. That is where Religion fulfills its essential role: while the State organizes, faith inspires. In times of discouragement or uncertainty, it is the sacred word that comforts us and reignites the flame of hope. Religion guides souls, just as the Empire guides nations with purpose, vision, and commitment.
Celestina's eyes sparkled, hypnotized. Finally, Elyandra concluded, her voice soft but full of conviction.
— Thus, as we walk under the light of the Saint and guided by her wisdom, we understand that our influence is not only a privilege, but a duty. May our actions serve as a beacon for those who find themselves adrift, for a society is only truly great when its politics governs with justice and its faith inspires with love.
At the end of the explanation, Celestina had wide eyes and an uncertain expression, a mix of surprise and confusion. Seeing the reaction, Elyandra thought: "Damn… that's exactly what I didn't want to happen. Conflict of interest is a pain to deal with, that's why I hate giving my opinion. You open your mouth to say anything and you open space for your argument to be brutally beaten by someone who disagrees with you."
Celestina finally broke the silence, her voice still tinged with uncertainty.
— But can a society like that really exist? Is there a way for people to follow faith even if it goes against the Empire?
Elyandra was caught by a complicated question. "Shit… I said something that is basically common sense. Even for a child, she isn't stupid. Maybe that's not it, she just asked the right question."
— I can't say, Lady Lyra — she replied, her voice a little more cautious. — Because we have no way of reaching a practical conclusion based only on theoretical grounds. Politics and religion walk together until the moment one crosses the path of the other.
Celestina brought her hand to her chin, thoughtful, her eyes fixed on a distant point. Elyandra, for her part, thought: "For the love of God, stop asking questions…". When Celestina was about to question another matter, another voice cut her off, soft and melodic. Seraphina Vancroft approached, greeting the two in a noble and refined manner.
At that moment, Elyandra's eyes sparkled, and she thought: "A Goddess! Am I worthy of being graced with such an opportunity to escape this subject?" She practically thanked something metaphysical so subtly that Seraphina noticed and became somewhat confused.
Elyandra then, with a relieved smile, said:
— Lady Vancroft, would you like to join us for a short walk?
Seraphina seemed to think for a few seconds, evaluating the invitation.
— I would love to — she replied, her voice refined and elegant.
As the three young noblewomen walked through the vast fields of the academy, an uncomfortable silence hung over Elyandra. She wondered what to do; she had no plans or objectives that could genuinely entertain her companions. A small drop of cold sweat slid down her temple, even as she maintained her serene smile. Exasperated, she sighed, searching for something to start a conversation.
— Lady Vancroft — Elyandra began, her voice soft. — What did you think of your test? Was it difficult in any way?
Seraphina, with her habitual pose, glanced sideways at Elyandra, but soon turned her eyes back to the horizon.
— Nothing beyond what was expected — she replied, her voice so dry and disinterested that Elyandra felt as if she were in a desert under a fifty-degree scorching sun, draining the last drop of water from her soul.
Elyandra, with the mastery of an actress, perfectly disguised the blow.
— I see. If I may ask, what was the theme of your test?
Celestina, who was walking a step ahead, turned her head curiously, staring at Seraphina with expectation. Seraphina paused for a few seconds, thinking, her lips pursing slightly.
— Something about marine affairs and continental trade. — Her voice was almost a murmur, devoid of any enthusiasm.
"What kind of lack of interest is this?!" Elyandra thought, shocked by the indifference. She turned to her colleague, seeking more details.
— It seems like it was something rather difficult to develop, wasn't it?
Seraphina shook her head in denial, a brief and carefree gesture.
— Not at all. Actually, it was easier than it seems. I just had to provide the methods, and the other nobles did the rest. Anyway, it was a team effort. I didn't have to do everything; I just had to develop my part.
These words awakened something in Elyandra. A subtle chill ran down her spine. The idea that she should "just develop her part" in a team effort was something she hadn't considered deeply.
Celestina, sensing the opening, shared her experience, her golden eyes seeking Elyandra's gaze.
— My test was somewhat complicated. Since it was something difficult for me to develop, I only had to provide the basics of the Church and our views. The nobles who were with me then joined together and we developed some methods that weren't very correct in my opinion, but anyway, we reached a conclusion together.
The feeling in Elyandra grew stronger, a pang of increasing anxiety. A thought came like lightning, chilling her from within: "Damn… if this was a test of total cooperation, I certainly set up a time bomb and made sure to swallow it! Basically, Eliora and I did everything in that test, only assigning certain requirements to the other nobles. It was practically a duo effort. Does Armand have any idea about this?"
Seraphina, with her sharp observation, noticed that Elyandra looked somewhat pale. Celestina, noticing the sudden silence and the change in her face color, held onto her arm, her small fingers gently squeezing, calling her attention and bringing her back to reality.
— Are you all right, Lady Valemortis? — Celestina asked, her voice full of genuine concern. — You look a little unwell…
Elyandra heard the question, feeling a whirlwind of anxiety, but forced a smile, gathering her last strength to maintain the mask.
— It's nothing, Lady Lyra. I just need to clear my thoughts a little… If you'll excuse me, I'll need to step away for a bit.
Celestina looked visibly intrigued, her eyes widening slightly as Elyandra apologized and walked away hurriedly, immersed in her own thoughts.
Seraphina, with an air of someone who had already expected something like this, approached Celestina, her eyes observing Elyandra's figure as it moved away.
— The best we can do is leave her alone for now, Lady Lyra. It may not seem like it, but she is someone rather strange.
— Strange? — Celestina asked, in a tone that mixed surprise and a hint of intrigue, her eyes still fixed on the spot where Elyandra had disappeared.
As she walked, Elyandra didn't notice the time passing. When she came to herself, it was already night. She looked around and saw no one nearby. At that moment, her hand went to her chest and she sighed heavily. Her golden eyes then stared at the starry sky; the light of the night shone upon her.
For the first time in a long time, Elyandra stretched, letting out a light lazy groan like a cat. Her body then gave in to the well-cut grass; she was practically lying on her back on the ground, far from all the class expected of her. Lazily, she settled in, arms making a pillow for her head and legs spread in a relaxed manner.
— Socializing is way too hard, thinking is tiring, and creating solutions is even worse. I think I've never been so tired — she said slowly, almost whispering. — To think that possible failures could impact my life so much was something I thought I had left behind when I died the first time…
Her eyes appreciated the starry night while bathed in moonlight. At that moment, Elyandra felt comfortable.
A comfort that was soon taken over by a whirlwind of past memories, in which Elyandra saw herself in her old life.
A monotonous day. The alarm clock, a digital torment, went off at 5 in the morning. Her eyes could barely open, glued shut by exhaustion. She stared at the colorful screen of her phone, and the light, like a dagger, stabbed her retinas. An internal struggle took place in her body that screamed in protest, every muscle aching, her feet worn out by the relentless routine. As she dragged herself out of bed, the question hung in the air: "Do I really want to go to work?" She rubbed her eyes, her mind already heavy with the burden of the day's problems, forcing herself to get up and, after a mechanical preparation, head to work.
On the bus, the muffled sound of the crowd was swallowed by the loud music playing in her earphones. Irritation, a constant dripping, turned into a river of stress. Upon arriving at work, the bombardment began: more and more demands, each one an extra weight on her already hunched shoulders. It was all horrible, exhausting, and deeply depressing. Finally, she clocked out, feeling she had lost an entire day of life, a day that had simply slipped through her fingers meaninglessly.
The return home was the only bright spot, a small refuge in her favorite MMO. Three hours of escape. Then the cruel alarm rang again, announcing it was time to sleep. Depression enveloped him as he turned off the sound, took a quick shower, changed clothes, and lay down, exhaustion pulling him into sleep. Before closing his eyes, one last glance at the phone screen: no messages, not even a "Hi". The contrast with his online persona, vibrant and full of friends, was a bitter blow. With the screen dark, sleep came, a temporary oblivion.
And then the cycle restarted. The alarm at 5 in the morning.
This routine repeated itself: one more day, and another day, and another day. Days became weeks, weeks became months, and months became years. His mind, a thread stretched to the limit, began to collapse, while his eyes burned in front of the computer screen, the weight of fatigue crushing his shoulders.
Suddenly, a light burst behind him, catching his attention. He saw a hand approaching his face. It belonged to a girl with long white hair and golden eyes.
— Enough of this crap — said the girl, her voice firm and cutting, surprising the man. — This is no longer my life. I am no longer this failure.
The girl's hand grabbed the man's neck with frightening strength, almost strangling him.
— Wake up… WAKE UP NOW! — she shouted.
Elyandra woke up with a start, her body thrown upward on the grass where she had been lying. A silent scream escaped her throat, and a solitary tear slid down her face. Her chest rose and fell uncontrollably, in panting breaths. She looked around, her golden eyes sweeping the darkness of the night, searching for something, anything, before letting out a long sigh of relief.
— I think I'm being too demanding… I need to rest… — Elyandra murmured, her voice hoarse and trembling.