chapter five—crestwood academy.

—"Sorry, do you know the way to the Silver Monastery? I've turned corners and seemed to be lost."

Failing to find the place, Elodie turned to the market vendors of the street, hoping to get directions. As a young blonde girl with a suitcase in hand and a coat, she stood out more in the crowd than expected.

"Oh, it's 3 roads left and after that, you turn 3 more right turns and you'll find it at the next corner," the market vendor answered groggily. "You can't miss it."

"Alright. Thank you?" Elodie nodded and minded her own way, but deep inside she was still confused as to which way to go.

The girl peered around the streets of multiple shops and vendors, some offering jewelry while other shops were selling magic weapons and tools. She witnessed minstrels performing on the roadside and showcasing their Arcane to entertain the audience. There were numerous billboards all around, some of models for a clothing brand while others were for restaurants nearby.

But still, Elodie wasn't anywhere near the monastery.

"This is ridiculous. We've been walking in an endless maze for ages," Alasdair gruffed from inside the grimoire.

"And I'm starting to feel like I don't remember Silver City anymore." Trixie sulked. "Everything is so new and...different."

"We'll just have to keep looking. If the monastery is at the centre of the city, it won't be so hard to find. Right?" Elodie reasoned.

"You make it sound logical," Alasdair remarked with sarcasm.

"Out of the way, make a path for the greatness of Orion!" A commotion echoed out and people were roughly being pushed aside as someone was marching ahead, followed by the sound of hard footstomps and neighing horses. A man, dressed in a white, regal uniform with golden medals and accolades, brandished a white axe on his back and marched ahead.

The surrounding citizens scorned at the cocky noble figure was pushing his way into the market road, emitting a sense of entitlement.

"Move it, trash!" The man shoved Elodie to the floor and she fell in front of him.

"Ow, hey!" Elodie argued.

"Tck, a commoner dare walk in my way?" The man snarked. "I said, move!"

Elodie slowly got up on her own and moving the dust off her blue coat. "Excuse me, but you pushed me out of the way. That was rude!"

The crowd gasped, seeing the sudden energy of light radiate off the angry man.

"Huh? You dare stand up to me?! Low class trash like you shouldn't be speaking to me in that manner! Me, one of the Knights from the House of Light?!" The man raised his voice.

"...The House of Light?" Elodie murmured, until she remembered Gaia had 4 Noble Houses. The House Of Light was the most powerful. And he was a Knight. Elodie let out a shriek as he unsheathed his axe from his back, channeling pure Quintessence. "Oh no..."

"Commoners must learn respect around here! I'll make an example out of you!" The crowd gasped as the axe was stopped by a crystal trident in the woman's hand.

"Enough, Sir. Denton!" the woman's voice echoed, stopping the axe. "Your abuse of power as Knight will not be tolerated here. Your status may be grand, but you can still get arrested."

The said woman had blue skin, with her body covered in scales like a dragon, and a white ponytail with a cloudy effect at the end. Her body glistened beautifully like a living crystal. The cocky Knight growled as he knew the voice and slowly turned his way to the owner of the crystal weapon. "Gayle..."

"That's -Sargent- Gayle to you." Her face was a rosy-pink flesh, expression her strict authority on the Knight. The sargent was dressed in a dark blue toga that matched the color of her beautiful scales. Her eyes were a shiny shade of amethyst, with a straight gaze at the knight, known as "Sir. Denton".

"Fine. Tck. Stupid Skymaid Authority..." The Knight lowered his axe before going on his way while murmuring curses under his breath.

Gayle sighed before turning over to Elodie. "Are you hurt, Miss?"

"No, I'm quite fine." She responded meekly.

"Very well, I'll be on my way then," Gayle began to levitate in the air and leave.

"W-wait! Excuse me, Sargent ma'am!" Elodie called out to her.

"Hmm?" The Skymaid looked back down at the blonde girl and descended lower. "Is there something you need?"

"Yes. I'm actually looking for the Silver Monastery. I need to get to Crestwood Academy."

"Crestwood?" Gayle stared at her with an intrigued look.

"Yes, I have a Golden Card and I had just arrived here in Silver City."

"Really? From where do you hail?" The blue woman perked.

"From—"

"DON'T TELL HER!" Alasdair and Trixie both chorused, luckily the blue-scaled lady was not in close hearing range to hear their tiny voices from the grimoire.

"Oh uhm...from the countryside. I've never been here so it's my first time in Silver City." Elodie lied.

"Hmm...very well. I will guide you." The woman nodded. "My name is Sargent Gayle, 8th leader of the Crystal Skymaid Brigade."

"You're a Crystal Skymaid?" Elodie blinked. She had never imagined she would met one in person. Her grimoire had stories about them but never saw their images.

Apart from Keepers, Skymaids were ranked above the hierarchy of magic beings that specialize in only Crystal Magic. With a Colony of their own, that exists right underneath Neutropolis. Skymaids are known as soldiers that obey their leader.

Almost like a beehive obeying their Queen Bee.

Elodie gaped in awe at Gayle's beautiful scales and her cloudy white hair. "You're magnificent..."

"Why...er...thank you?" Gayle stared at the girl, confused at the compliment but flattered nonetheless. But Elodie wasted no time to chatter.

"Are your scales really made of crystal? Do you shoot Crystal Magic only from your trident? Do you use your trident to fly? How do you take care of your hair if it's made of cloud? Do you draw power from sunlight to fuel your power? I've always wanted to ask these to a Skymaid!"

"Uh..." Gayle drawled awkwardly, backing away from the energetic girl. "One question at a time, please."

"Oh, sorry..." Elodie shyly chuckled.

"This child...she's too trusting to any stranger..." Alasdair's voice groaned from inside the grimore while Trixie giggled.

"You're pretty enthusiastic for someone who hails from the countryside. Very well. I'll answer what you need to you, and I'll take you to the Silver Monastery." Gayle agreed.

"Really? Thank you so much!" Elodie politely curtzied before following the Skymaid down the crowded lanes.

But as soon as she disappeared off into the crowd, Roland had already missed her.

Roland's grey eyes scanned the crowded thoroughfare, overwhelmed by the bright colors and bustling activity of the market stalls. Red men with intimidating weapons moving through the masses, towering over the shorter humans and other beings.

"W-what is this place?" He asked himself wonderously. Roland began to lose himself in the crowd, not knowing which way to go. He looked for signs, anything familiar. But nothing made sense to Roland's eye. This was not England. At all.

"Elodie...is this the place you were going to? Omph!—"

When he turned, he found himself in face to face with one of the tall, muscular red giants. The bared its large, sharp teeth, as if ready to take a bite out of him. They darted their eyes at him in disdain and snarled.

"What are you looking at?!" Steam huffed the giant's nose like an angry minotaur.

"Uh...n-nothing. My apologies!" Roland stepped back and turned a heel away.

Where in the world was he? He screamed in his thoughts.

As he passed by a few market stalls, figures in cloaks and blank masks ducked into the alley, moving stealthily and soundlessly through the shadows.

They stalked Roland with intense focus, their movements and gestures synchronized and smooth, like a well-oiled machine. They moved with purpose and intent, clearly on a mission of some kind.

"So...is he the one we're looking for?"

"He's going around cluelessly, definitely from the Earthern realm."

"Should we take him now?"

"Patience. Let us keep observing him for now." The masked people retreated into the shadows.

Roland felt a chill run down his spine as they retreated into the darkness, disappearing from sight.

He looked around, feeling a notion that he was being watched.

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"Here we are, the Silver Monastery. Silver City's main attraction."

Gayle led Elodie to the center of the open square, where the towering figure of the Silver Monastery stood, a magnificent monument to the power and majesty of Silver City. The square allowed many to see the monastery and other city buildings, and the hustle and bustle of the city made it clear that this was a hub of activity.

"Thank you, Sargent. And thank you for answering my questions. I didn't know Skymaids were meat eaters."

"My pleasure, miss," Gayle nodded briefly. "You said you needed to go to Crestwood Academy?"

"Yes." Elodie nodded.

"She's too nice!" Alasdair rebuked. Always being the voice of caution. He didn't like that Elodie was talking to strangers, even if Gayle was a law enforcer.

"That's our Lady Elodie!" Trixie added cheekily.

"Well, as seeing as you have a Golden Card, the only way in is with someone already having access in that school lets you in."

"Already having access?" Elodie blinked.

"If you didn't know, Crestwood Academy has hidden away from the eyes of Neutropolis. That's its extra security away from outsiders. Your Golden Card needs a member of the school staff for authentication first."

"Oh, there you are!" A womanly voice shouted. Gayle and Elodie turned back and immediately met eyes with a woman sprinting towards them.

"Oh, it's Madam Belhaven." Gayle aired. The woman, whom Elodie learned to be Madam Belhaven, was as striking as the city around her. Her long, ginger-red hair flowed in the wind, and she had sharp, coal-black eyes that bored into Elodie's soul. Her regal suit and buttonless coat added to her imposing presence, giving her the air of a powerful and respected leader.

"Oh, thank the Dragon Gods, I found you!" Madam Belhaven exclaimed as she reached Elodie and Gayle, breathless from her run. "The principal would've had my HEAD if I lost the new student! Thank you so much for finding her for me, Gayley-Wayley!" The woman cooed motherly.

"It was no problem at all, Madam. I should be off then. It was nice meeting you, Miss." Gayle nodded once again before taking off into the air. Elodie happily waved her farewell before turning back to the woman.

But that happy motherly energy around her was replaced with an infuriated glance. "You!"

"...M-me?" Elodie pointed at herself, clueless.

"I was looking for you everywhere. Please don't run off like that! You can get lost in this city!" She puffed her cheeks, angry.

"I'm sorry, Madam! I didn't mean to worry you," Elodie apologized, looking down at her feet. "I didn't know I had to wait for someone."

"No matter. Water under the bridge. So...your name is Elodie Charleston, correct?" The gingerette woman exclaimed, holding out her hand to see her card.

"Charms—eh, yes, Charleston. That is me." Elodie nodded, giving it to her.

Having to use a different surname from her real one was the only thing she had to hide about herself on Earth. And even having to enroll in a magic school under the 'Charleston' name than the 'Charmswell' name, she still needed to hide her true identity.

There was a reason for it. Elodie knew it very well.

"Yep. Your Golden Card is definitely legitimate. My name is Professor Zelda Belhaven, lovely to meet you. Now, follow me..."

"Oh? Okay..." Professor Belhaven led Elodie through the crowded square, into the towering Silver Monastery, where there stood at center of an open space. The sounds of chatter and footsteps echoed from outside the building, and the scent of street food wafted through the air.

As they approached a large altar, Elodie noticed the floor was covered in silver mosaic tiles, depicting various scenes and images. As they stepped onto a tile that depicted a large dragon, Professor Belhaven pointed to it.

"This is the only way to get into Crestwood," she said, indicating the large stone altar with a slot for the Golden Card. "Bring your card and place it on the shaft to accept your enrollment. That way the Academy can recognize your presence on the campus. You can also use your Card if you go outside of campus to the city, whenever you want."

Elodie slid her card into the slot, and a voice echoed from the altar. "Granted. Welcome, Elodie Charleston," it said, and a gateway portal opened.

Professor Belhaven walked through the altar gateway and turned back to the girl, gesturing her to come through.

As Elodie stepped through the gateway, she was met with the school's grandeur and majesty. It was a testament to the magic and power of the Academy, and Elodie gulped nervously as she looked around at the imposing surroundings.

The school itself was a grand structure, with tall spires reaching towards the sky and massive marble columns lining the perimeter. Elodie couldn't help but gasp as she laid eyes on the towering building, feeling a sense of awe at the sheer majesty of the place.

"Come along, come along. Time is Magic, I always say. None to waste but plenty to make of..." Professor Belhaven motioned for Elodie to follow her through the portal. Inside, the walls were lined with magical wards, and the air was buzzing with the sound of spell casting and magical energy.

Elodie could feel the Quintessence of the Academy coursing through her veins, and she knew this was where she belonged. Crestwood was massive, and grand like an emperor's palace.

"Crestwood Academy, where every type of Gaian is welcome," Elodie thought to herself as she stepped inside the building.

The halls were bustling with students of all shapes and sizes, dressed in purple school uniforms that stood out against the lush green lawns. Some students were seated in the grass, their textbooks open and spread out in front of them, while others gathered in clusters by the stairway entrance, chatting and laughing.

As she walked further, her eyes scanned the walls, taking in the sight of students levitating through the air, seemingly without effort. Boys were gliding like wingless birds, playing with a ball that floated alongside them, while others levitated themselves up the school walls, carrying multiple books with just one finger as if it were nothing.

Elodie was fascinated by the diversity of students at the academy. She saw different types of Gaians, including students who held weapons and magical items. What caught her eye most were mermaids hovering through the air.

"Woah...mermaids..." Elodie was in disbelief. She could tell by their fin-like ears and seashell accessories, that were hard to miss. They were different from Earth's depicted imagery of mermaids.

"Uh...Madam...Professor Bel?" Elodie shyly peeped.

"Bel-haven, dearie." She corrected. "Professor Bel is my brother, just to differ us."

"Okay. Professor Belhaven, which class am I going to?"

The gingerette woman immediately pouted. "That, my sweet little child, depends on what level of your Quintessence is."

"My Quintessence?"

"We all know, our Quintessence is the essence of our life force. Cosmic energy that bares deep within us from birth. Which many people vary to scale, no matter where they're from. Some can be more powerful than others.

That's why Crestwood deals with these four broad categories. Royal-class, Mage-class, Warrior-class, and the bottom of the barrel, the Normal-class."

"Normal-class? What difference are these classes?"

"These classes start from the first year. As for Normal-class students, their curriculum is apprenticeship as well as diplomacy in normal studies for Magic. Whilst studying normal courses for low-level Arcanists, compared to commoners. It's also for those who have knowledge of Fates."

"I see. It makes a bit of sense." Elodie murmured to herself.

"You do know what Fates are, my dear?" Zelda quizzed.

"Fates are buffers we often depend on from Keepers. It's not in a class of any alpha or beta-Arcane type. Unlike flying and levitation which we can do on our own, Keepers help us develop our Quintessence in its raw state for certain techniques." Elodie answered.

"My! You're very well educated, Ms. Charleston! A+. Why, I'd like for you to be my student. I'd be jealous if not." Belhaven cooed, her hands tangled behind her back with a look of pure intrigue.

But then one hand clenched into a fist that her knuckles cracked. "But if my brother had you, then, I'd be really envious..."

Zelda glanced back at her from the side. "I bet you know every Arcane type out there."

"Not particularly. There's a lot of beta-Arcane types out there, that even I don't know. But I can only remember the alpha-Arcane types.

In ranking of power, there's Order, Light, Fire, Time, Water...and Nature Magic."

"Ha! Now I'm beginning to think you belong with the sophomores. My students barely remember that order. I think you will fit nicely here," Zelda then entered a large hall, where there were numerous statues were placed.

Elodie's jaw dropped at the sight of the hall from the entrance. The ceiling was so high it made it seem like a cathedral, and the six dragons perched around a large statue of a man had her in awe. As soon as she met eyes with the male statue, she felt an unexpected rush of emotion. Her blue eyes took in the statue, towering over like a porcelain goliath.

But Elodie could only use her imagination to picture what he would look like in color and flesh.

"Is that really...him?" Elodie murmured.

"Yes," Alasdair answered her question, which he already knew what she meant.

"Wow..." she uttered.

"Hello! Excuse me!" Professor Belhaven snapped her fingers and jerked the young girl out of her daze. "Oh, I'm sorry, Professor. I—"

"No time! You're due to meet with the principal. You'll have time to sight-see later. Come on, come on!" She scurried away from the hall of statues. Elodie couldn't help but look back as the statue gave her all the more reason to stay in Crestwood. Her purpose was to become a great Arcanist after all. As well as reunite with her sisters.

But then a voice at the back of her head told her that there was something else, waiting for her in this school.

And she was going to find out soon enough.

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[ AUTHOR: heyo, hope you've enjoyed so far! Please vote and comment on what you think about it! It would mean so much if you supported this book! Ill try to update, about 5 chapters per month. I don't have much time because of college and other matters. But I hope you liked it. TSYM! ]