Light district

Chapter 18: Light District

Praediti,

The carriage tumbled harshly as it's wheels ran over a big rock.

"Uh-uh."

The two Jurist members darted their eyes to Eliana after her soft reaction from the tumble which had her butt ricochet hardly on the wooden seat.

"Is there something wrong dear?" The Lady Jurist asks.

Eliana shook her head. "No, that was just the tumble. I'm fine, thank you." She replied.

Eliana awkwardly cleared her throat when she noticed the two Jurists were watching her intensely. She shifted uncomfortable in her seat whilst looking out the window trying to block out their gazes.

After the discussion that was situated inside Principal Rimbrad's office, the two Jurists wasted no time and immediately pulled Eliana away from the Academy. To avoid further suspicions and to avoid gravitating attention to themselves.

They told Eliana she will be spending the night back in Wistal's home so she needn't to bring clothes. Eliana felt the urgency when they went straight to ride the carriage after the discussion.

It wasn't long after she had noticed the environment outside changed from trees to buildings.

"So where are you guys taking me?" She asks, grabbing the two Jurist's attention.

"To the light district. Today is a mark of your first day under investigation." Wistal answered her.

"I believe I have the rights to know about the plan of your investigation." Eliana urged.

The Lady chimed in. "Do not worry dear. We will explain everything once we get there."

Eliana recalled she hadn't caught the Lady's name yet. "Pardon me, but may I know your name?"

The old Lady smiled. "I am Viena, Lady Viena Van Der Caeli of the land of Caeli. A proud member of the Jurist court." She smiled.

'Wow, that was mouthful.' Eliana thought so.

She slighlty bowed her head. "Eliana Lewis, that's my real name. I reckon you know my real identity?"

Lady Viena nodded. "I do know. I voted for your life dear Eliana. If it wasn't for the investigation you would have met an unfortunate fate."

Eliana had the feeling what that 'unfortunate fate' meant. It must've been death if not what else will it be?

"We're here."

Eliana pulled her eyes away from the jurist to peek at the outside window.

Grey.

The place was full of soft colours, playing with Red, Green, Blue and Yellow but one colour stood out most. Grey, the colour most abundant everywhere in the light district.

"I can't decide whether this place looks dead or lively with all these colours." Eliana muttered in a low voice.

Wistal raised his eyebrow at the girl. "What was that Eliana?"

Eliana calmly shook her head. "Nothing."

Viena ignored the two and walked forth. Wistal and Eliana followed, picking up a pace to walk side by side with the Lady Jurist.

It was then that Eliana noticed the building they were headed to had the same Victorian intricate designs. The white walls acted as a canvas for the soft grey swirls. In the middle big letters read, 'Knowledge'.

They entered the building. A few guards examined them for precaution. It was safe to assume this place was not for the regular civilian. They walked continuously, maintaining their pace until they reached the stairs. Eliana noted the floors they went up to, they arrived at the fifth floor.

Before they could proceed, another guard stood behind a metal door. Eliana was panting softly from the flight of stairs they just walked through.

"Jurists, I was told your presences were expected." The Guard stated before shifting his eyes to the sweaty Eliana. "And you, Eliana Lewis."

Eliana heaved a breath.

The guard proceeded to unlock the door using a card. He waved the card over the door knob. They heard a click indicating the now unlocked door. Eliana thought it was similar to those technologies back on earth, except this one was probably highly made from magic.

"You may all proceed." The guard motioned for them to enter.

"Thank you."

"Thank you, young man."

"Thanks."

The moment they went in, they were greeted by a long stretch of grey hallway. Busy sounds like hammer pounding and electrical works echoed softly around the hall. The floor and ceiling was pale white while the walls were painted pastel grey. And the succeeding doors along each side of the walls were of different colours. It was a colourful mess.

"Wow." Eliana blurted.

She heard Lady Viena humming to her reaction.

"Let's go." They walked through the hallway. Falling deep into the inception.

They stopped in front of a white door with gold and silver swirls. The door knob was pitch black. It looked different than the other ones. Additionally, it was located at the dead end of the hall afar opposite from the entrance of the fifth floor, unlike the other doors which were on either side of the walls.

"Eliana, I ask for you to trust us." Wistal said.

Eliana gave him a puzzling look. "I can give you half of that. But what I cannot give you yet, is my full trust." She said with a stern voice.

The jurists both nodded understandingly.

"It is fine. Let's go inside." Viena nodded at her fellow jurist companion.

As they entered Eliana felt a warm chill pulsating throughout her body. She shivered for a while before relaxing as the chills slowly faded. She could tell they passed through some kind of barrier from the door.

"Viena! Wistal! Friends you have arrived." A man in his early fifties greeted enthusiastically.

"Moz!" Wistal greeted back with the same energy.

Eliana ran her eyes around the huge room. Bright and stuffed with interesting unfamiliar things. A table stretched attached to the opposite wall where placed above are different unique things. Some papers on the other small table. On the other side was a cliché setting of one of those sorcerers or wizards, with pots and a quill pen.

Another wow from Eliana's head.

"Viena! My dear you're getting old." The old man called Moz jokes.

Lady Viena smiled and shook her head in disapproval as if she was already expecting the comment. "Moz, you don't look like you're getting younger yourself dear friend." She joked in return.

Moz laughed loudly.

Eliana deadpanned. This old man obviously has a loud mouth. She raised her eyebrows when his eyes gravitated to her.

'What is it now?'

"Oh!" He tauntingly walked towards the girl. "You must be Eliana Lewis." He sounded grumpy all of a sudden. His enthusiasm was thrown away.

Eliana immediately felt intimidated. She took steps back as he approached. She gave the two Jurists a desperate look from which they returned with a sly smile.

She felt remorseful from their reaction, 'how dare they'.

"That's me alright, Eliana." She said as the old man was already half a meter from her. "So please, there's no need to taunt at me."

When her back hit against the door, she lowered her head. Feeling annoyed now and mad at the two jurists. She didn't want to be stepped on now, she's not a puppy of some sort.

"Would you please get away from me!"

The moment she raised her head and her voice, she came face to face with the old man's face who had an amused grinning expression.

A few seconds passed before Moz pulled his face away and laughed uncontrollably. Eliana stared at him, taken aback from what he just did. He intended to scare the poor girl.

Eliana blinked. "What the hell!?"

"You should have seen your face! HAHAHAHA!"

The two Jurists shook their heads chuckling. "Moz, you never changed my friend." Wistal commented.

Moz slowly calmed down, wiping a tear away from his eyes. "My friends, this girl is hilarious and gullible." He said, still chuckling.

Viena went to stand beside Eliana patting the girl's back. "Moz." She warned.

Moz shrugged his shoulders before turning his back on them returning to sit at his desk. He sat on the table and crossed his arms.

"Let's discuss."

The light atmosphere faded and was replaced by a serious ambiance.

Moz cleared his throat as composure. "Eliana, my name is Moznam Radorian. I was chosen to hold this study of a Human entering here in Praediti." He started. "Now, so far from what I have noticed besides your weak personality, you don't only have the aura of a human but also the aura of something else..." He said.

Lord Wistal's eyebrows turned into a knot. "Is that possible? Can you conduct an experiment regarding your statement Moz?"

Moz nodded. "That's why we're investigating her, she is not normal. I should be needing a strand of hair or something that belongs to her. I can use some technology and magic to find something."

Viena joined. "We can give you those. If there is anything else, you should tell us by now. She will be leaving after tomorrow to go back to the Academy."

"Very well."

Eliana cooperated with the three. Moz apologized along the process explaining that was how he usually did to people who looked fragile. Eliana wanted to disagree with the 'fragile' comment but she decided to ignore it.

After Moz had what he needed for the experiment the four of them sat together in the living area of the room with a tea on the coffee table in the middle.

"Eliana." Moz called.

"Yes Lord Moz?" Eliana stopped midway from sipping her tea.

Moz cringed at her formality, he waved his hand in front in disapproval. "Ah drop the honorifics. Moz will do."

"Alright... Moz." Eliana tested the name ditching the title from her tongue.

"What do you know about Praediti?" Moz asked.

"I-" Eliana caught herself realizing all she knew about this world is what she's seen with her eyes and the history Wistal spoke about. "I... don't really know that much..."

"Huh." Moz trailed off giving Wistal a disappointed look. "You're bad at this Wistal."

Wistal looked hurt. "Moz, you know the agenda." He cringed. He leaned closer to Moz's side and whispered. "She needs the experience, maybe she can uncover information about herself that we do not know." He pulled away.

Moz shook his head. "I know Wistal, there's no need to repeat what I have already been told. What I mean is you could have at least given the girl an outline of this world."

"Wistal?" Viena called. "You sent her to the Academy with no mere knowledge of the land and leaders?" She asked disappointment dripping from her words.

"I gave her an idea about the Academy and the built of Knights." Wistal said now realizing how nearly useless the information he gave was.

Eliana was watching back and forth from the conversation. "I'm sorry to interrupt but I think I need to say this too. I want to know about this world if I were to stay here for long. I met a few people from the Academy. Some of them were surprised how I wasn't able to recognize them."

Moz hummed thoughtfully. "Come back tomorrow." He said. "I will tell you all the information you should know as much as the information we need to know from you."

Viena nodded in agreement. "I suppose it is time to leave. I believe it is already dark outside."

Wistal agreed and stood up from his seat. The rest followed and went straight towards the door.

"I'll meet you tomorrow, friends." Moz bid his goodbye before turning his back on the three and went back to his desk to start the experiment.

Eliana watched Moz pick up some papers and some other items. Wistal called her for them to leave. As they passed through the door, the familiar shiver occurred once again.

They left the building. Truly it was dark outside. And Eliana had a long day.

Just this morning she was at the Academy now she was here at the 'Light District' as they call it.

Lady Viena didn't ride the carriage with them. There was already another carriage waiting for her outside the building. They bid her goodbye before parting ways.

Eliana lazily watched the night sky filled with stars outside the carriage window. She took a peek at the Jurist in front of her deciding to ask a question.

"Say, uncle Wistal." She called getting his attention.

"Yes?"

"Where do you belong? I remember we went to the capital the last time, a fellow knight in training told me they live in 'Terra'. Now we're in the 'Light District'. So which of them do you belong to?" She asked.

Wistal was surprised how much she already caught up with the little information she had. "Impressive Eliana, you've managed to put little pieces together."

Eliana didn't bother to tilt her whole body to face the Jury, she just watched him through her peripheral view. "I don't think it's impressive." She calmly said.

Wistal looked out the window as well. "I live here, in the Light district, but I originally used to live in the Felinar area somewhere here." He said.

Eliana closed her eyes feeling the night wind softly brushing against her skin. Of course, the jury lives in a place with a familiar name.

"I see." She yawned.

'Felinar', another place to note in Praediti.