Sylvia
Five days before, I finally touch down on Terra. I am so eager to rush off the ship. I had come prepared. No one glances at me as I run down the ramp. I take a whiff of air. The air felt so clean. The salty air feels so amazing.
I look down at my tablet. The registrar of Midsummer Academy lies at my fingertips.
"Where are you three?" I scroll down as I walk. There were practically thousands of students on the roster this year. I knew that my brother and sister were in the incoming flush as well as my brother's partner. This going to be hard.
I bump into someone. The person turns around and it's Jordan.
"Your highness, you have to be more careful."
"Sorry."
"I am saying this for your safety." Jordan's eyes bore into me. I could tell he is peeved.
"I'm just looking at the roster, there are thousands of people to scroll through."
Jordan snags the tablet out of my hands.
"Do you know the name he is under?"
Oh no.
Jordan snickered. "By the looks of that face, you hardly have a clue don't you?"
Now I'm mad.
"Don't take out your anger on me," I rasp, my anger is swelling.
A voice like a bell sounds behind.
"Jordan, leave her highness alone. She has a mission to complete and you're infringing upon it."
Josie stands at the ramp.
I grab the tablet back from Jordan and scroll down some more. I gasp. I found them all.
"Hold on, we found them due to a DNA match in the system? Humph. I was hoping for a challenge then."
I look back at Josie on the ramp.
"Josie, I need help with something."
"What do you need help with?"
"Can you have the Dragon Blade moved here from my brother's room? Clear it with Lacey and Justin before having it sent over today. It's better here than at home."
"I will have it ported here immediately." Josie bows slightly.
I blush.
"Josie, you are my best friend. I've told you never to bow to me."
***
"Tell me why I'm here."
I cross my arms and cross my legs. Over twenty-one people were sitting down at this long table. I could see a few people that I swear I recognize. A silver-haired man is facing me right when I ask the question.
"It's been a long time, Sylvia surely you recognize your former tutor."
I look over the man's facial features.
I gasp.
"Master Flintelan! Why are you here?!"
"I was the one to request you to come here. I run Midsummer Academy. I trust that you and the younger twins have been well. I've only been seeing Justin and Lacey as of late."
A lock of my hair falls in my face and I blow it out of my vision.
I sigh. "We are okay. But tell me, you didn't call everyone here to make small talk."
Master Flintelan chuckles and slides me a vanilla folder. Very archaic mode of sharing information.
"I am holding Midsummer Academy's introduction ceremony in a few days and I am hoping that you will be attending. You'll be attending as his highness and I discussed. I have invited Nansron City Academy to attend, as well as many other groups to take classes at the other branches as well."
I nod my head.
Master Flintelan carries on. "I do know the other reason that you're here for. They are indeed entering the Academy as first years the same as you." He pauses eyeing me. "I trust that I can count on you to do anything that needs to be done on the Royal side to ensure that this goes smoothly. I'll give you permission to speak on my behalf on anything that regards them."
I start to flush. I didn't know what to say. He was giving me almost complete control of public relations regarding my family here. Shouldn't he be in charge?
I grip my skirt for a second and release. I smile.
"I accept. I'll be in attendance."
Master Flintelan nods in earnest.
"Good," he faces forward. "I invited quite a few people that you know to attend. Like your two guards and you, they too will be attending the academy this year at Midsummer. I know you'll get along just fine and help each other out. Those who I invited to the table stand up."
Josie and Jordan stand up first. Josie gives me a small wave. It's nice to see them here. A girl with flame red hair with pink highlights stands up next and does a slight wave. I froze for a second, stunned.
Mari Summers of the Rain Family Main branch. It's been a long time since I've seen her. She used to attend the academy in Nansron City with my brother and his partner. I wonder if she could feel my brother's presence through their Starlinked Bond. She is giving off a relaxed aura so it looks like she isn't worried. Most likely she'll find my brother and try to talk through their mind link. It's been five years, but surely she had an inkling that my brother is alive. Mari is most likely to expose them, I'm going to have to remain on standby just in case.
A boy with sandy brown hair stands up next. Jake Horano. He was a boy my brother saved during a battle to save a Nansronian settlement on the outskirts of the galaxy. Due to that, he has been devoted to helping my brother and quickly ascended the ranks of the fleet to fill my brother's shoes as captain of the Lightrunner Squad in his absence. Yet, he has a relationship with a Kana of Vale to my detest. Luckily she isn't here right now.
Lastly, a boy with short black hair and green eyes stands up. Frank Goldsteel. Jake's friend and underling at the academy in Nansron City. Why would Master Flintelan ask him to come? Sure Lightrunner Squad is great with him in it but nothing warrants him to come to this meeting with a select few.
I stand and nod to them. "Thank you all for your help. I can not wait to work with you soon."
***
Four days ago at the Entrance Ceremony.
"I trust that I can let you two handle things inside the auditorium?"
I'm currently standing before the side entrance to Midsummer Academy's auditorium with Mari and Jake. Jake's subordinate Frank Goldsteel is standing behind me.
Jake places a hand over his heart. "Mari and I can handle things inside you just focus on anything that happens beyond our control."
I smile wickedly. "I could just threaten to expel those who blab out."
"You would truly go that far?"
"Anything for my family. As long as it isn't death or criminally inclined."
Jake understandably nods. "That is fair." Jake moves to the door to the stage. "I hope this will go smoothly. If it doesn't, I hope that you and Frank will work effectively in the shadows.
I shrug my shoulders. "We could also make up rumors that anyone who leaks would have no future in making it into the fleet."
Jake looks at me horrified and pale. "You are a demon in the flesh. The fleet is good money. Even I would even be nervous if you say that. It's only thanks to you know who that I'm at this state."
Master Flintelan then steps out of the door to invite Mari and Jake in. Frank and I walk behind them and then wait to be directed to a place we can observe the ceremony.
A man in a suit and tie that I presume to be a teacher at the academy guides us to a staircase off the side of the stage. At the top is a small enclosed balcony beside the balcony seats.
I imagine this place is for those who want to remain discreet. Interesting.
Frank and I both sit down. We both watch as Master Flintelan walks up to the podium. He greets everyone and introduces the four students representing us Nansronians who were studying on Terra as students. A little before that I could see Mari's gaze focus on a singular point in the crowd.
Right then, everything came to a stop.
My brother and sister are in the crowd, Sara is as well.
After the first wavers leave, everyone's names and Potential Pressure Rank echo in the crowd. Due to Nansronians having fantastic hearing, everyone could hear my brother and sister's names blare out.
I fall to my knees from my seat on the enclosed balcony. Mari you are going to be the death of me not to mention the Terra girl and the Ragnar boy weren't helping the situation. They have very good eyes.
Time to panic.
***
Presently Sara is practicing her sword when we make it to the training grounds. I closely follow behind my brother quietly trying not to disturb her and sit down on one of the benches close by. We both watch silently as Sara practices a few moves that our combat instructor shows us.
Sara after a few minutes notices us sitting down on the sidelines and then comes over to us. She sheaths her sword and sits down beside my brother.
"Thank you for coming, but why is Sylvia here?"
I perk up. "I just wanted to invite you to watch some entertainment. You may not remember but we used to hang out a lot in the past."
Sara tilts her head questioningly. "Do you have a place in mind?"
I fidget nervously. "I still haven't been around campus yet but Kaylee knows a place we can go to. I'm inviting my sister as well. I already asked my brother."
Sara turns to my brother and he inclines his head.
"I'd be happy to accompany you guys," Sara brightly smiles. "Let's go find Emily and your friends and we'll go. Just let me rinse off."
My brother nods. "We'll be here, please don't take forever."
Sara moves off the bench and moves toward the showers glaring at him.