The next morning, Aeryn saw Erdaes at the entrance to the academy holding something that looked like paper. 'Is he waiting for someone?' she thought as she walked by him. But just as she was passing him by, Erdaes ran up to her. "You see, I wanted to tell you something," he began. "This is the paper where you can apply for the contest. I just thought that we can enter with Alyssa and Orphon, Aeryn."
Erdaes was planning to enter the contest? Aeryn did not realise that Eradaes would want to applt for it. Though he was daring, Orphon clearly beat Erdaes at that part, and he liked activities that are more stable, such as reading. "Did you ask Alyssa and Orphon about this, Erdaes? It is important for you to have their consent," Aeryn said. "Oh, I asked them yesterday, and they told me that they are fine with it. I couldn't ask you because you left early. But I'm asking you now," Erdaes replied. Aeryn could not hide her surprised expression at those words. When did Erdaes become so kind? He was always kind of soft, but has there been a time when he was this kind to anyone? "I thank you for that," said Aeryn as she wrote her name on the paper with her quill.
As they entered the academy building, Aeryn noticed Orphon talking to Alyssa about something. "Please wait a second, Erdaes, " she said as she left him to see her sister. "Hello, Prince Orphon," said Aeryn as she curtised to Orphon. Orphon merely nodded in response to Aeryn's greeting. Aeryn turned to Alyssa, who had the beginning of a scowl on her face. 'She still has not forgotten about our argument,' Aeryn thought as she nodded to her sister. "Did you agree to what Erdaes told you? About the contest?" Aeryn asked Alyssa. "Apparently, I did, because that is the reason he came after you." replied Alyssa. "Alyssa, your words are too harsh for your sister! Please speak softly, will you not?" said Orphon, and both of them laughed at Aeryn and Erdaes, who had come next to Aeryn to defend her. "Alyssa, that's rude!" began Erdaes, trying to defend Aeryn, but Aeryn just turned away and ran inside.
With Erdaes calling behind her, Aeryn began to walk to her classroom. But when she reached the doors of it, the thought of having to confront her sister inside made her ache. "Not now. Just not now," she said as she turned around and began to run toward the teacher office. She felt the air slapping at her face slightly, reminding her of the sadness inside of her.
Thankfully, Ecthelir was there when Aeryn opened the door to her teacher's room. The room had two floors, each open so the one entering it can see what was on each floor. The first had Ecthelir's desk and worklife with various tools that Aeryn never really knew the purpose. The second floor, though only a part of it could be seen, had what seemed to be her teacher's bed, bathroom, meeting room, and an outdoor cafe. In the middle of the first floor, Ecthelir was there, looking up at Aeryn from her desk.
"What is it, Aeryn Illuminati? Is it about your academic performance or friendship? Maybe both?" said Ecthelir. "Friendship. Can I talk to you, my lord?" asked Aeryn. "Sure. I'll send a substitute to teach for the day," said Ecthelir, dismissing a carrier pigeon that probably has her message out the window. 'Though she may be cold, she really is a good listener,' thought Aeryn as she sat down in front of her mentor's desk.
"Can you tell me the precise event that upset you, Aeryn?"
"Well, it was my sister, Alyssa. You know her personality..."
As she began explaining herself, the event, her feelings, and what she felt so sad about, Ecthelir just listened quietly. Ecthelir only interrupted to ask Aeryn if she wanted to eat lunch or that herself have to answer a quick letter. Overall, Aeryn felt that her mentor was a good listener, and she felt her spirits soar with Ecthelir's every nod.
"So, why do you think Alyssa acts that way?" Ecthelir asked Aeryn finally when she was finished talking. It was almost four in the afternoon, and though Aeryn missed the class for the day, she felt free.
"Well, Alyssa wanted to be like other kids when she was young. She wanted birthday presents, beautiful dresses, and even contemporary pens, but there just wasn't enough money to get all of them, no one to buy her all of these. I guess she envied others, though there are many orphans like her."
"And what about Orphon? What do you think affected his personality?"
"Well, he is quiet, but he can get mean when he wants to... I guess it's because of stress."
"Stress?"
"Yeah, you know how Orphon never saw his sister and he was sent here forcefully. Maybe the others treated him badly because that he is the prince of a 'falling empire,' and he got upset. After all, though Erdaes supports him, it's not easy to keep your head up here."
"Okay. So, you have nothing more to add?" asked Ecthelir.
Aeryn looked at her teacher, smiling. "No, I think I'm fine."
"Then, you are free to go. Oh, take those homework sheets with you, you are supposed to do them," said Ecthelir as Aeryn began to stand up. "But teacher," tried Aeryn, but was met by her mentor's strong "No."
As Aeryn descended the steps of the academy, she saw Erdaes waiting for her. When Aeryn waved to him, Erdaes waved back, blushing slightly. 'He's cute. His girlfriend will be lucky,' thought Aeryn as she smiled back at him.
"You were not present at school today, Aeryn. Did you go to the teacher's office? Are you fine now?" asked Erdaes. "Yeah, I'm fine now. By the way, what about the contest apply sheet? You would want me to sign my name on it, right?" responded Aeryn.
"Yeah... If you don't want to, it's fine-" began Erdaes, but Aeryn snatched the paper from him. "Don't worry, Erdaes. I'll make up with Alyssa. Let's do this together, what do you think?"
"But it might be dangerous! I already warned Alyssa and Orphon that it can be when they signed!"
"And an elf who worries about others' safety does not care about his own? Take care of yourself. I'm going to sign it anyway."
Aeryn signed her name on the paper with Erdaes looking at her. "Here you go. Let's take this to the desk at the front." "Okay," said Erdaes and he walked back inside the building, with the paper in his hand.
As Aeryn turned to leave, seeing that her friend will deliver the paper well, she heard Erdaes calling her name behind her back. "Hey, Aeryn! Would you like to have dinner wiith me?" he called. "Dinner?" Aeryn asked.
"Yeah, I was planning to ask you yesterday, but you weren't there."
"Oh. Well, let's go then. Serenade's Cafe?"
"Sure!"
As the two walked out of the academy grounds, they did not notice Ecthelir watching them from her office window. Though no one was visible, Ecthelir said, "Enter," without turning from the window. Inside her office, a black hooded fgure materialized. "Sister," the figure said with a low voice of a man. "Why did you come here, my first sibling, to cause trouble?" replied Ecthelilr. Her voice had a cold tone that no one can dare talk back to. "Well, I got bored living in the wilder lands," said the man. He took off his hood to reveal a handsome face. If not for the mask that covered half of his face, people couls clearly notice that he enjoyed the attention he got because of his cool and handsome face. The man had long white hair, longer than Ecthelir's, and was wearing a simple robe.
"How's my order going? You know that I always expect the best," said Ecthelir, still not taking her eyes off the window. "Well, it's going great, as it is with us. So, Aeryn and her friends applied for the contest you suggested to the government? How interesting," said the man. He brushed his flowing hair with his hands, smiling. "Yes, they have, Erytos." replied Ecthelir. Her expression had still not changed. "Well, it's decided, then. They will walk a path special yet dangerous," said Erytos. "You are dismissed, Erytos. I see that you have said all that is to be said," said Ecthelir. "True. Bye now, my sister" said Erytos as he departed without a trace.
Ecthelir looked up at the sky. It was just another normal summer day. But she knew that today was different. Today was the day that all saga that sings of the events to follow will start with.