Ethereals

Chapter 22: Ethereals

Eliana took the rest of the time reading the notebook Moz gave her. From each page she gained more and more information about Praediti. A little later, she decided to skip through the part where the notebook talks about Fortem Academy.

Fortem Academy was created for first and foremost, protection. Knights are the sole front liners of Praediti against the Dark Continent.

When the Praeditians were casted to Praediti, the Gods brought the demons along with them. A chaos erupted between the two groups for months which resulted in the divide between the two continents in the gates of Ahara. A few years after they could settle, some Praeditians committed treason against their own kind by siding with the Dark Continent. The traitors attacked them without explanation. Because of these events, the Academy existed.

Ever since, the Academy created a hierarchy among their students. They gathered the most rare, powerful and talented students and they were called, The Ethereal Seven.

Albeit Eliana found it cheesy, it was undeniably impressive and terrifying- for the lack of a better word, at the same time. She saw what the two cousins can do. The others will remain a mystery to her until she sees them use their abilities. A powerless human like her could never. It was best she keeps her guard on around them.

Eliana's thoughts were disrupted by a loud knock on her dorm door. She hurriedly tucked the notebook inside the desk drawer and went to open the door. A random student greeted her.

"Are you Eliana?" She asks.

"That's me, what is it?" She replied.

The girl looked confused, she studied Eliana from head to toe. "Bastion is looking for you. He is downstairs outside the dorm entrance."

"Oh, thank you."

"Hurry up, don't waste his time." With that the girl walked away.

Eliana could feel the bitterness she left on her doorstep, it was thick like her insecurity. Normally Eliana would find people like her annoying, but it seems like she changed. She couldn't be more bothered with trivial things like that girl.

She managed to get ready within five minutes. She wore comfortable clothes, since the day was not a normal class day, they were allowed to wear whatever they want as long as it's appropriate. She brought nothing but herself as she left her room.

Downstairs, Bastion stood patiently by the porch outside the girl's dorm building. A few ladies who passed by gawked at the sight of him, a few giggled. He ignored them.

"Hey." Eliana came up to him looking nervous.

"Hey, I'm glad you're here." He said, truly relieved. He felt uncomfortable with the attention he was receiving.

Eliana smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry it took a while."

Bastion shook his head. "It's fine. Let's go."

"Lead the way."

Bastion did lead the way. As they retreated away from the building, a few girls whispered to each other at the sight of an Ethereal member with an ordinary newcomer.

Eliana felt uncomfortable from the ruckus.

"Ignore them, they have nothing else to do with their lives." Bastion said.

"I'm trying." Eliana looked around seeing just how crazy the attention they were getting was. "Do you normally get this much spotlight?"

Bastion followed her gaze and sighed. "It must be the rank, I am not a nobility like you."

Eliana cringed at his last sentence. "I'm only human Bastion, you know that." She whispered, careful that anyone might hear.

"I'm still adjusting to that fact, I'm sorry." He admitted.

Eliana nodded understanding where he was coming from. "It's okay, take your time."

Their conversation was cut short as they arrived at the Ethereal Seven's porch. The walk was not that far of course. Bastion led the way with Eliana hot on his heels. They could hear the faint voices from inside. Bastion opened the entrance door.

Earlier after Bastion left to fetch Eliana.

Everyone was gathered around the living space. Except Larsanel who was upstairs in her room.

"I can't trust her." Emery says.

The others stayed quiet. Larsanel's heavy steps echoed as she appeared in the room. She skipped excitedly sitting beside her cousin on the couch.

"I can't wait to show her my collection." Lars beamed at Zathur who was standing behind the couch with Anzai beside him.

Zathur gave her a small smile.

Emery rolled her eyes walking towards the loveseat in front of the couch. She slumped down and crossed both her arms and legs. She eyed Larsanel who was oblivious to her stares.

"Lars." She called.

"Yes Emery?"

"I'm saying this for your sake." She paused and waved her right hand. "Don't get too close to that human."

Larsanel's bright smile vanished, Emery actually bursted her bubble. "What?"

"I said, Don't ge--"

"Emery, just leave her alone." Jett chimed, he felt concern for his cousin's feelings.

"I'm just being cautious Jett." Emery defended herself.

"I'm sure Larsanel can make her own decisions." He said, as-matter-of-fact.

Emery rolled her eyes looking to her side. "Whatever."

Silence passed by for a minute before Kylon decided to speak. He leaned forward, cupping his hands together. He was seated on the other single couch.

"How do we welcome her?" He asks.

Zathur placed a thoughtful finger to his chin. "Let her introduce herself first hand, followed by ourselves."

Everyone gave him a sarcastic look. Obviously that was a basic nature when you meet somebody.

"We need to find a way to protect her without earning attention." Anzai spoke. "Another one is training." He met their eyes.

Kylon rested both of his arms on the side of the single couch he was sitting. "We need to discuss those with her."

"I still don't trust her." Emery blurted.

"Then don't." Zathur commented. "But give her the benefit of the doubt. Don't judge too quickly Em, that is not a good attitude." He scolded.

"I still don't like her." Emery replied firmly standing in her words.

"You're so unfair Emery!" Larsanel whined repeating the word 'unfair!' over and over. She threw a shuriken to Emery in the process.

Emery wasn't expecting the attack, but she easily managed to avoid the shuriken. "What the hell Larsanel!" Her irritation turned into anger.

"Keep it down Lars!" Jett tried to cover her mouth but Larsanel fought.

Jett was undeniably stronger, he successfully covered his cousin's loud mouth. To additionally prevent her from throwing her shurikens to anyone. Until Larsanel bit down on his hand. He winced from the suddenness. Larsanel was quick to escape when he inspected the bite mark on his hand.

And just like that, the serious scene was replaced by a wild goose chase within the living room. The All Terras were running around the area, as the other members were stressfully trying to stop them. Anzai sat quietly at the side while the others were shouting for the two to stop.

The door creaked open in the middle of the scene. Everyone heard the gush of wind entering inside the building. It resulted in them whipping their heads towards the entrance. Larsanel who threw a throw pillow at Jett, whose direction was near the door, backfired as Jett easily avoided it.

Bastion was quick to react at the pillow closing in to their spot. He swiftly pulled Eliana closer to him to avoid the pillow. It was thankfully a success.

Eliana's mouth almost dropped, speechless at the moment. She witnessed such an unexpected scene and was involved already at the first second. She caught them in a scenario she least expected for them to be. She immediately thought how much she misjudged the Seven. And that flying pillow.

"Eliana!" Larsanel was beaming at her arrival.

"What are you all doing?" Bastion asked in a low tone, halfly embarrassed from their actions.

"She bit me!" Jett tattled pointing at his cousin.

"What!" Lars reacted dramatically. "He wasn't being very nice to me Bastion." She pouted.

Kylon gave himself a facepalm from the two cousins drama. Emery rolled her eyes and sat back to her seat. Kylon sighed returning to his seat as well.

Anzai got up from his chair and pointed at the space in front of the couches. "Stand there if you may."

Bastion left Eliana's side to gather with the Ethereals. Eliana took a breath and went to stand on the spot Anzai pointed at. It was the perfect spotlight to be the hot seat, apparently she was not enjoying it. All of the Ethereal Seven's eyes were trained on her.

"I'm Eliana De La Felinar. Niece of Eldred Wistal De La Felinar, I have no abilities. I'm turning eighteen soon and-" Eliana paused thinking what else there was to say. "Mmm, that's about it."

They all nodded. Zathur stepped forward to introduce himself. His dirty blonde hair was now on a low ponytail which rested on his shoulder. "I'm Zathur Ezio Van Der Caeli ranked third in the Ethereal. If you have any questions about anything, I might be able to help. I am already in my fourth year in the Academy, that should be credible enough."

"I'll keep that in mind." Eliana nodded.

Zathur decided to introduce the twins altogether next. He pointed to their spot near the couch. "I'm sure you have met these two. Our fifth ranker, Jettam Tadd Van All Terra and his cousin our sixth ranker, Larsanel Gyn Van All Terra. They are the only first years in the circle."

"We know her earlier than you, Zath." Jett proudly boasted.

"Shh!" Lars hushed his cousin.

"We met, they are in one of my classes." Eliana confirmed. Jett waved to her making her feel less tense. She returned a small wave.

Emery was irritated the whole time. She couldn't take it, she stood up from her seat and stood a meter away from Eliana. She crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow. "I am Emery, Emery Leigh Del La Felinar. A real Felinar." The tone of her voice was asking for a challenge.

"Emery, be nice." Zathur warned.

"What?" Emery looked over to her side, giving Zathur a look before returning her attention to Eliana. "You have a reason now. Your pretense as a Felinar family member is useful. An interaction with us will be less suspicious. From the public eye, we are blood related." Her face cringed from the supposed fact.

Eliana sighed, 'a mean girl will always be present'. She thought.

Kylon walked to stand beside Emery. "Emery is a third year knight in training. Don't mind her harsh words, she's just naturally honest in a brutal way." He smiled.

"She's not wrong about the advantage. I can go with that." Eliana admitted. With Emery being a Felinar, it could be a good cover for her to interact with the Seven. But the problem was, Emery doesn't like her. Then again, she's still unsure about the others.

Kylon chuckled from her honest answer. He seemed like an outgoing guy. "That's true, it can be of use." He agreed. "I'm Kylon Cy De La Mare, one year ahead of you. And one rank above Zath here, specifically at the second rank." He offered his hand for a handshake.

"Pleased to meet you Kylon." Eliana shook his hand. He smiled in return.

"Eliana let me properly introduce myself." It was now Bastion's turn. "My full name is Bastion Flavion. I ranked last and currently in my third year of training. It was truly pleasant to meet you Eliana."

So far Bastion was the most gentleman and soft among them. Eliana felt at ease. "Thank you, I can say the same for you Bastion."

Zathur looked over to the last person. The guy stood from his chair. He walked calmly to stand with the others, but his aura was dripping with seriousness. The others who were used to him remained unbothered, except for the two cousins who looked at him with puzzled eyes.

"I'm Anzai Ansel Evander Von La Azar, the first ranker." He introduced himself. Based on his actions, Eliana could tell he was the uptight type of guy.

Eliana's ocean eyes fought the stares of his emerald ones. She felt a slight intimidation but chose to ignore it. She instead nodded her head to acknowledge him.

"It's a pleasure." She blurted. She hated the feeling of being dominated.

"Cooperate with us till then, human." Anzai added, his tone was firm and authoritative. Anzai gave the others a look. They nodded to each other having a telepathic agreement.

"Now, let's discuss how we can keep you with us."