After the Registration

The exhausting meeting finally ended, revealing that the entire process of selecting a new Regalizen commander was nothing more than a competition among the ancient hero families. I feel like such a fool for not considering that possibility. In hindsight, Nero had a point; it's true that some time ago, every Regalizen commander recommended their own family. I never even thought of that. I have to admit, I let my guard down there.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted Ellora's thoughts, and it was clear that the person approaching her was angry.

"Hey, village girl! How dare you stand up to me earlier when you're nothing but a country bumpkin!"

Huh? Madalyn? Ugh, not her again. She's here to bother me once more. Wasn't mocking me before enough for her?

And behind her, there's Chris, practically hiding in Madalyn's shadow. Is he seriously scared of her? Pathetic.

"Hey! Don't ignore me! I'm talking to you, Ellora, you little village girl!"

"Yes, I apologize for my rudeness towards a noble family like yours, Lady Madalyn," I replied, slightly bowing my head.

"Heh, so you do know some manners. I wasn't expecting that from a country girl like you."

"Let's teach this girl a lesson so she doesn't act out during the next selection, Madalyn!" Chris added, smiling at me.

This kid is absolutely revolting.

"My apologies, but I have some matters to attend to right now, so I must excuse myself."

"Huh? But I didn't give you permission to leave!"

I don't care about that.

Without saying a word, I turned away and headed down the corridor where the receptionist had led me earlier.

"This village girl!" 

Chris, who had been grinning lecherously the entire time, suddenly grew angry, realizing this might be his chance to touch me. But before he could even lay a hand on my shoulder—

"Stop!"

A loud voice rang out from behind them, halting Chris in his tracks and forcing him to turn around to see who had shouted. 

It was Cestine from the Van Helden family. She had already clashed with these two arrogant people earlier, but I didn't expect her to continue confronting them outside the meeting room. I thought she was just trying to maintain her image in front of the Ausbay overseers.

"Cestine... I have no business with you. Get lost before I lose my temper," snapped Madalyn, clearly fed up with talking to her.

"Uhh, Madalyn, if you harm her now, you'll be automatically disqualified from the selection for cheating by sabotaging another candidate's chances."

"Huh?"

"Yes, that's right! Didn't you read the rules, Madalyn? Using a little bit of common sense might save you from this embarrassment, especially in front of Cestine," Charlotte chimed in with a laugh, standing beside Cestine.

"Tsk." 

"Annoying pests, let's go, Chris. You got lucky this time, Ellora, but I won't let you off if we meet again."

"Yes, Lady Madalyn," Chris replied.

*Huff*

"Are you alright, Ellora?" 

*Nod*

"Good. They're always causing trouble, even at the academy."

I noticed Charlotte still standing behind Cestine, who was walking toward me. Why is she looking at me so intensely?

"Are you really from a village?" Charlotte, who had been quietly staring at me strangely, suddenly spoke up.

"Yes, that's right. I'm from Lilac Town. Why do you ask?"

"Hmmm, nothing in particular, it's just that this world is a vast place. I never would have guessed that someone like you could come from a town so far from the capital."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw it. You cast a transparent 'Wall' spell earlier to keep Chris from touching you, didn't you? But then Cestine showed up and yelled, so the result was the same anyway."

Hmmm, sharp eyes. I should be cautious around Charlotte—her understanding of magic is quite advanced.

"Huh? Really? I didn't see it. Is the spell still there?" Cestine asked, looking puzzled.

"Of course not, she dispelled it after you yelled at them, dummy."

"Eeeeh?" Cestine replied, clearly surprised.

It turns out that not all members of the hero families are arrogant. These two, for instance, can joke around like this, showing me a different side of how hero family members can behave. I hope there are more like them among the hero descendants.

"Alright then, we'll take our leave, Ellora. See you tomorrow at the selection, and don't hold back!" Charlotte said with a wink.

"Yes, see you tomorrow at the selection," Cestine added, bowing slightly to me.

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

After our brief exchange, I continued on my way to where the receptionist had led me earlier. My mind was filled with all the information and conflicts that had just occurred. Despite the tension in the room, I knew I needed to keep my composure and carefully analyze the situation to prepare myself for tomorrow's selection test.

"There's not much time; I need to find out more about my competitors as soon as possible."

Once outside the room, I paused for a moment in the beautiful garden that had piqued my curiosity earlier. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my mind while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the garden.

The information I just received about the descendants of the Seven Ancient Hero Families needs to be carefully analyzed to formulate the right strategy. My opponents are no ordinary people—they are the descendants of seven ancient heroes, each with their own unique magic.

First, there's Madalyn Naventhius, a member of the Naventhius Family. The way she looks down on others suggests that she might possess extremely strong magical skills and power. I need to ask Nero later about the unique abilities of the Naventhius family.

Then there's Charlotte Vermillion Rosenfeld. She seems to have a lot of ambition, and although she might appear ordinary, the aura of ambition she exudes shows that she shouldn't be underestimated. It's likely that she possesses some impressive powers, especially considering her lineage from an ancient hero family.

Next is Cestine Van Helden. Even though she tried to defend me, her peaceful aura and kind demeanor might just be a facade. I should be cautious about the possibility that she's hiding some hidden power. Maybe I should reach out to Enigma later to learn more about the strengths of her family.

Chris Ireshia is another one. His haughty expression, much like Madalyn's, indicates that he also has great potential. His family's unique magic might give him an edge in terms of both type and strength of magic. Again, I'll need to discuss this with Nero later.

Finally, there's Gareth Rhanes. With his large frame and calm demeanor during the meeting, he's clearly a formidable opponent. His height and bearing suggest that he's an experienced fighter. There's no doubt that he could be a serious threat in tomorrow's test.

The selection test will most likely involve direct combat or a power trial, based on what Ausbay Lorelei mentioned earlier. Given the conflicts that have arisen, they might design a test that challenges both combat skills and strategic thinking. The ancient hero families are likely to use this test as an opportunity to display their strength and eliminate competitors they see as weak. I must be prepared to face not just physical battles but also their tactics and strategies because there's a high chance I'll be an easy target tomorrow.

"Let's hope they underestimate me. That would be ideal," Ellora whispered to herself.

As I was deep in thought, analyzing strategies and assessing the competition for tomorrow's test, someone suddenly spoke to me.

"The flowers are beautiful, aren't they?" a woman said calmly.

Isn't this the same woman who disappeared when I looked away earlier? I didn't even notice she was still here.

"Yes, they're very beautiful, perfectly suited for this garden," I replied.

"Oh my, it seems we have the same taste," she said with a gentle smile.

"That's an impressive illusion spell. I wouldn't have noticed your presence if you hadn't spoken just now."

"Really? Most people can't even hear my voice when I'm using this magic," she responded, still smiling warmly.

"You're very sensitive to magic atoms," she added.

"…"

"Oh, by the way, my name is Astrid Lorelei. What about you?"

Lorelei? So, she's also from an ancient hero family too?

"My name is Ellora Evernoir. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"No need to be so formal, El. I'm a pretty laid-back person; no need for all that."

"Alright, my apologies."

"No need to apologize either, hehe."

"…"

"By the way, I don't think I've seen you around here before, El. Are you here for something related to the Regalizen office?"

"I've been nominated by Commander 8, Nero Beryl, to participate in the selection for the position of Commander 9 of Regalizen."

"Oh my, I didn't realize he had a candidate."

"Yes, that's right."

"But it must be tough, right? All the other candidates are from hero families."

"Yes, I met all of them earlier, but it seems the Lorelei family didn't nominate anyone for the Regalizen position."

"Well, of course, because my family isn't particularly skilled in combat. Besides, our magic is just illusion magic," she said casually.

Illusion magic? It's surprising how freely she shares her family's secrets. Isn't that supposed to be a closely guarded secret?

"You must think it's easy for someone to spill family secrets, right?"

"Huh?"

"It's true, though. Besides, most people already know about our magic. It's not a big deal to share it with one or two more people."

So that's the downside of having a unique magic from an ancient hero family. The magic is indeed special and unique to them, with its own attributes. The descendants regularly develop and refine this magic within their family over generations.

The advantage is that hero families have very powerful magic, plus detailed manuals on its development over thousands of years.

The downside is that the information can easily leak. People learn how the magic works and also gather information on how to counter it.

"But don't misunderstand, El. Each descendant of the hero families develops their magic differently, and the way unique magic is used varies as well. For example, my illusion magic is quite different from that of my parents and grandparents. That's the gist of it."

"I see."

As we were chatting in the garden, someone approached us—it was Nero, seemingly there to pick me up.

"Huh? Astrid? What are you doing here?" Nero greeted as he arrived.

"Am I finally banned from the office garden, Nero?" Astrid replied playfully.

"N-No, not at all, hahaha. It's just that I rarely see you around the office grounds."

"Hmmm? But I'm always at the office."

"Huh? Really?"

"It seems I should get used to not using this illusion magic," Astrid said with a light laugh.

The atmosphere was relaxed, and it seemed they could joke around like this.

"By the way, has your meeting finished, El?"

*Nod*

"Alright then, how about we head back now?"

"Agreed, I'd like to find out more about a few things too."

"Okay, then we'll be off, Senior Commander," Nero said, saluting Astrid, who returned the gesture respectfully.

Senior? Is she also a Regalizen Commander? Hmmm.

*Upon reaching the car*

"Nero."

"Yes, El?"

"Was she also a Regalizen Commander?"

"Yes, she's my senior, Astrid Lorelei, Commander of the 7th Regalizen unit."

"Hmm, can I ask about the strengths of the members of the 7 hero families?"

"Of course. Their strengths aren't a secret anyway."

From Nero's explanation of the unique powers of the hero families, I can summarize it like this.

The Lorelei Family is renowned for their expertise in illusion magic. This power allows them to create extremely realistic illusions that are hard to distinguish from reality. Their illusions can alter a person's perception, trapping enemies in nightmares or misleading scenarios. According to Nero, this ability is highly effective in psychological combat, causing opponents to become confused and lose focus. To counter this, it's crucial to stay calm and be vigilant against potential mental traps, though much depends on how the user implements their magic.

The Naventhius Family wields light magic, which enables them to use light magic in various forms. This can include light-based attacks, healing, or even invisible barriers. Light can be a very powerful and deadly weapon if not handled carefully. The main weakness of light is that it can be reflected or redirected if someone has enough knowledge and skill in manipulating magic atoms with other elements. While the basic practice might be similar to fundamental magic, there might be specific factors that make this magic unique and special to the Naventhius family.

The Rhanes Family has the ability to transform into various beast. This ability gives them extraordinary physical strength and speed. In their beast forms, they can possess high levels of power, speed, and endurance. Their weakness might lie in their inability to maintain their human form, which can become a vulnerable point if exploited effectively. In combat, shape-shifting opponents can be challenging to predict and handle, which is quite typical.

The Van Helden Family is known for their control over toxins and poisonous plants. They can create lethal poisons and manipulate toxic plants to attack their foes. However, their powers are not solely focused on flora. This ability is very dangerous in a fight as it can gradually affect and damage opponents from within. To counter this power, knowledge about antidotes and protection against toxins is essential, as well as the ability to handle plants that may be part of their attack. Ultimately, there might be no need to consult Enigma for further details on this matter.

The Ireshia Family possesses the power to summon spirits from other realms. They can call upon these spirits for various purposes, including combat or simply gathering information. These spirits can have their own powers and abilities, making the Ireshia family a highly unpredictable opponent. I need to consider that these spirits might have different types of strengths and weaknesses, so preparing strategies to face them is crucial—it's definitely a complex challenge.

The Vermillion Rosenfelt Family has mirror magic, which allows them to reflect attacks and redirect them as their own. This includes the ability to see and capture an opponent's power through mirrors and return it with added strength. To counter this power, I should plan strategies involving attacks that cannot be directly reflected or redirected. Their ability is truly unique, which explains why they are recognized as a hero family.

"Isn't there a seventh hero family?" I asked.

"Yes, but the abilities of the last family are not widely known because they always resolve their battles using basic magic and don't rely heavily on their unique powers," Nero replied seriously.

"Hmmm, what is the name of that family, Nero?"

"Their name is the Yoshitsuki Family," he answered.

Yoshitsuki? That's a rather unique name. Are they from the Cestisia continent?

Well It didn't matter anyway, sooner or later i would find out, especially if their descendants still mingled with the general public.

***

Upon arriving home, I felt a wave of relief as we reached our residence and Nero waved goodbye before continuing his duties as a Regalizen Commander.

The door opened before I even had a chance to touch it, and I was immediately greeted by Lily's bright smile. 

"Sis Ellora! You're finally home!" she's running up to hug me tightly. I chuckled softly, feeling the warmth of my sister's embrace which always managed to chase away my worries, if only for a moment.

"I'm happy to see you too, Lily. How was your day?" I asked, gently returning her hug.

"Arianne played with me today. But now it's even better because you're home," she answered cheerfully.

"I helped Arianne prepare our meal. Let's relax in the backyard, Sis!" Lily suggested with enthusiasm.

I followed Lily to the backyard where a small table with a tea set was ready. Arianne, our devoted maid, stood gracefully beside the table.

"Welcome back, Miss Ellora," Arianne greeted with a warm smile. 

"How did the registration go?" she asked.

"Not as smoothly as I'd hoped, but it's not something I'm dwelling on," I replied as I took a seat at the table.

Lily poured tea for me with great excitement. "Don't worry, Ellora. Lily will always be here for you," she said brightly.

"Thank you, Lily. You always know how to lift my spirits." I smiled as I took my tea.

"And you, Arianne? How was your day?" I asked.

"Today was quite peaceful, Miss. But I'm glad to see you back. The house is always livelier when you're here," Arianne answered softly.

I smiled at Arianne's words, but my thoughts drifted back to the upcoming selection test. I knew how crucial it was.

"Are you okay, Ellora?" Lily's gentle voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "You seem worried about something."

I paused for a moment, looking at Lily with a soft smile. "Just thinking about tomorrow. The selection test is starting, and I need to make sure I'm prepared for whatever happens."

"We both believe in your abilities, especially since Lord Nero himself nominated you for the test. You just need to trust in your own skills," she reassured me.

I nodded slowly, feeling a bit more at ease with the support from the two people who meant so much to me. 

"Thank you both. You're right, worrying about it now only adds to my stress."

We continued to unwind with light conversation and laughter. As the night grew late, I realized that no matter what happens, I won't face it alone. I have Lily, Arianne, and my ultimate goal in searching for Arche to give me the strength to face tomorrow's selection test.

***