(meaning: written quiz, exam)
As I flipped through the page of the given exam sheet, I noticed something.
Only one question is written.
"What can you do?"
'This was it?'
No other instruction was written, no special notes nor hidden words can be revealed with any magic power.
I guess its like an essay? Something that you can write your story to?
I looked around the room and everyone was as confused as I was but even the professor and Layton who watched over us never spoke nor cleared up anything.
"Have you given us the wrong paper sir?" A boy, raised his hand in question.
"No."
"The exam we've given you is the correct one. Just answer it." Layton answers sternly.
'Well I better get started'
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The 2 hours passed by quickly and without a time to spare, I finished checking my essay and the papers disappeared into thin air and appeared infront of the Professors table in a snap.
"Your papers will be assessed this instant and once your name is called, you can proceed to the function hall." Layton says.
"There, the Viridian Imperialite will assess your power and mana while the current students of the Academy or the president of the Student Council will vote whether you continue or fail and go home."
"If your name is not called, you are not proceeding to the next phase of the test." Layton finishes.
Anticipation was growing. A few minutes have passed and the essays are being carefully read. Time felt like it slowed down immensely as all of us in that room waited.
"Rina Dolores." The professor called.
I stood up from my seat, "Yes professor?"
He stared at me, gave a light chuckle. "You may proceed to the function hall."
I was the first one to be called. 'How?' My thoughts digressed. I barely wrote a paragraph.
I walked over to the door and had Layton guide me through the direction towards the function hall.
"Follow the yellow carpet lined through the halls, it will lead you to where you need to be." He instructed.
"Thank you, your grace."
But before I could walk away, he grabbed my hand and pulled me close to him slowly. "Nice work your highness." He smiled as he let me go and closed the door.
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Atherina wrote in the Endorian Ancient Language;
"What I can do is of no matter to me, but what does is— becoming a person whom the Endorian Empire can be proud of having allowing the Empire to thrive for years to come."
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My thoughts overpowered with excitement but yet filled with anxiety.
'What if I mess up?'
I worry, that I may harm someone with my power. Even with the Necklace of Athy, teardrop of the Goddess is hanging from my neck.
I made sure to not let it be seen, nor anybody to take notice of the jewelry piece hanging from my neck.
But as my thoughts were filled with worry and doubt, I stumbled upon someone making the both of us fall on the ground.
"Watch where you're going!" The lady yelled as she dusts herself off.
I immediately stood up and offered my hand, "I apologize my lady. I seem to be overwhelmed with thoughts at the moment."
"Get away from me you filthy thing!"
I stood there with my eyes widened in shock. 'Filthy?'
The lady stood up from the floor, continued to dust herself off. "Typical of you commoners to be happy about a shallow thing." She crossed her arms and looked at me with disgust.
'She wants to pick a fight off of something I already apologized for?'
"Shallow thing? What do you mean my lady?" Playing dumb to try and get on her nerves.
People heading to the functioning hall started to stare at us, gathering a crowd bit by bit.
"Look around you. You think commoners like you have a place in this academy? Even if you do get in, I doubt you can last a month in this place." She mocked. I didn't even get this girl's name, can't even tell which family she's from.
"My lady..." I paused. "Is that a bet?" I dared.
"OooooO" the gathering crowd snickered.
"Fine. If you can last a month in this place, I'll even kneel in front of you."
"That is if you can even get accepted into the 2nd phase." She laughed again.
"And if I do? What can you sacrifice my lady?" I asked intently.
"I ca—"
"Emilia!" A young man, who seemed to be the exact copy of this lady approached us frustratingly.
"We are not even half way of the test and you're already picking fights!?" I heard him say softly making sure the crowd around us doesn't hear him.
"But brother! She started it! This commoner made m—"
"I don't care if she started it. We are going to the function hall. NOW." He says as they both made their way to the function hall and the crowd dispersed.
At least I know of her name. Emilia. Where have I heard that name before?
As I proceed to the function hall, I saw my three brothers at the door. Alejandro, my eldest brother was the president of the student auxilliary council of the academy while Layton of the Marquis household was the vice.
The three of them saw me and as if almost coming to me— I mouthed, "No." I stared.
It was funny to tell off my endearing brothers but I wish I can just approach them easily. Right now though is inappropriate as my indentity is not of the Imperial Princess, but as an ordinary young lady yearning for acceptance in a prestigious academy.
I felt a tap on my shoulder, I turned around and it was Layton.
"Greetings again your grace." I greeted. In queue, I saw my brothers stared at him intently.
He laughed, "Its quite fortunate of us to finally have a conversation, your highness."
"It is." I smiled.
Ever since I was able to walk and remember things, I've always seen Layton in the Imperial Palace with my brothers. Whether it may be horse riding, studying, or sparring. But of course, with overprotective brothers— I never got to meet him directly nor introduce ourselves formally.
Until now that is.
"I'll save my greetings to you personally your highness at your birthday this week." He bows lightly.
"That is if you can even greet me." I said as we both looked at my brothers at the door of the function hall staring at us— well at Layton frustratingly.
We both laughed, "I guess I should formally ask to be your partner then."
"I will be waiting in anticipation your grace." I said sarcastically.
Then he walks towards the function hall towards my brothers bitterly waiting on him at the door in frustratingly.
As the four of them went in, I followed from a distance.
The function hall was breathtakingly constructed with the thought of putting every student entering in thought of awe. The room itself had a similar construction style to the imperial palace ballroom, except, with lined chairs going up accomodating what? 5000 students?
I sat down at an empty chair beside a charming girl my age, I think I recognize her from the Count Uania family since her mother frequents at the Imperial Palace as my mother's lady-in-waiting. She's like the spitting image of her mother.
"Hello there my lady, are you alone?" I initiated.
"Yes I am, are you alone too?" She responds shyly.
"Yes. Then I guess we aren't alone anymore, aren't we?" We both laughed.
"Let me introduce myself! How rude of me, I'm Guinevere Keia Uania, daughter of Count Uania." She greets very politely.
"There is no need for such formal greetings My Lady, I am Rina Fei Dolores from a humble merchant household."
"Oh my— I thought you were someone with high status, you look beautiful Rina, but please you can call me Nevi. I'm tired of such formalities especially between friends." She smiles.
"Really? How can you say so?" I wondered.
"You exude such noble aura and it is intimidating. Its like you're someone of imperial blood." She says.
'Oh great, how can I break a habit?'
I just shook it off and took it as a compliment. "Thank you Nevi, I could make a great noble right?" I chuckled.
"You would!" As we both bursted of laughter and continued our conversation to know each other as students started pouring in the function hall.
Its great that noble ladies like Nevi still exist despite the gap in hierarchy that is presented between us with my identity. I feel bad for lying, but I hope to make her understand of the situation I'm in. Commoners and nobles barely get along despite the number of commoners in the Endorian Empire outmatch the population of nobles by tenfold.
But I'm glad that my father granted commoners a seat in the imperial council meetings to allow their voices be heard. As most of the taxes that flow in from the Empire is from them.
I saw Alejandro walk to the stage, fixing himself, and the female students are astonished with his presence. He is the first prince afterall, and gets his looks from father. Even Nevi stopped conversing and I caught her staring.
"How is the first prince that attractive?" She stared at him with immense fascination, her arms gracefully placed on the table unable to hide the lure my brother has towards women.
'Ah my brother you have done it again.'
"He gets it from his imperial majesty." I answer.
"Too bad he doesn't even take notice of anybody besides her sister." She looks away, the disappointment clear in her eyes.
'What?'
"What do you mean?" I ask in question.
"All the three princes do not care nor notice any woman that falls for their charms! All they care about is their youngest sister the first princess."
I often wondered why my brothers had effortlessly adored me my whole life, I thought it was normal? And yet, I never seem to take notice how they purposely avoid the women that fall for their charms. But now, I do.
'Why am even I mad about this?'
Alejandro glances to the crowd, as if looking for me. When he finally did see me, he beams at me then prepares himself.
"Welcome to the Aspiring students of the Aegerine Academy of Divine Magic and Arts!" I hear as my brother, the president of the council announce.
Everyone in the room suddenly became quiet, sat down and looked over where my brother was.
"I am Alejandro Lacan Endora, the first prince of the Endorian Empire— but I am not your prince today."
"I am but a student in the academy, the president of the auxillary council that handles the affairs and events in the Academy. I am here in front of all of you to congratulate you on passing the 1st phase."
The crowd erupted into applause, joyful cheers filled the room, filling the air with uncontainable excitement.
"But your journey is yet to start— this is the Viridian Imperialite, a divine crystal that reads each individual's magical affinity and acuity. The crystal itself has measured thousands of people throughout centuries even dating back to when the first Hulahina was announced."
As the Crystal itself was unveild before us, the core itself glowed a faint light in shifting hues of the rainbow, similar to that of a diamond that is placed in the sun's rays of light.
"And I present to you, the headmistress that will present on how you will be assessed in the next phase." My brother says as he guides a lady, despite her years stood in grace— elegant and radiant. Her presence exuded a quiet power, the one born of wisdom, deep intelligence and as if her rare ability to make even the most anxious student feel at ease.
As she stepped onto the podium, the entire hall seemed like it was out of breath. "Welcome." She started.
"To the 321st Initiation for the Aegerine Academy's Entrance Examination."