Ch 22

Before I could reply tho, I was tackled, "You were so cool today!!" She said as she hugged making me suprised as a smile appeared on my face as I hugged her back... I missed her...

She pulled back a bit and looked at me with a pout. "Why didn't you tell me you were joining the academy too?" She asked with a wide smile full of excitement... She seems happy.

I chuckled at her and scratched the back of my head before looking at her in her eyes, "Well… Surprise?" I asked, nodding to myself.

Indeed it was a suprise, even I was surprised when I got to know that I am to join academy.

With a giggle, she lightly hit my chest with her fist. "You idiot! You really surprised me, you know!" She crossed her arms but I could see she was smiling too.

It has been an year and indeed she have grown a lot, and has also matured a lot... These last few years, she has spend alone without me and Jay, even though I occasionally visited her... I can just guess it must be difficult for her.

"Now that you're here," she continued excitedly, "we can attend classes together! We can eat together, train together, and do lots of fun stuff! It'll be so much fun!" She said, already imagining the days ahead of her as I laughed lightly.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan. I'm looking forward to it." I said

"Finally! I won't be so bored alone," she said, bouncing a little on her feet. "Oh! And you have to show me that cool move you did today! It was awesome!"

"Sure, sure," I said, nodding. "How's Alex doing?" I asked.

"Hmm, he is fine. You should visit him now that you are here, he misses you a lot you know." She said as I nods, "That's what I am planning, and visit the the church too, I have to meet Lady Ariana."

"Yeah," she said with a small smile. "You should go then, we'll meet tomorrow in class."

"Sure!" I said as she hugged me, "I am so happy that we are together again," she said lightly before walking away, as I waved at her from a distance... A whisper escaped my mouth... "See you tomorrow, Mira."

.

.

.

"You heard about the thief today?"

"Which one?"

"Kid from the lower market. Brown hair. Barely fifteen."

"What'd he take?"

"Half-rotten onion and some dried fruit, they said."

"And?"

"Public execution. Right in the square. Sword this time."

"Over an onion?"

"Apparently it was his third strike. First was some bread. Second was a pair of worn shoes. Gurss 3 is the limit."

"We're supposed to feel safe,"

"Safe from starving kids, yeah. The empire's really got our back."

"I get the war criminals, the ones who burned towns, killed for fun and all, they deserve the rope. But this? This ain't justice."

"Justice doesn't live here anymore."

"The Emperor calls this peace. Says it's order. That he's cleaning the rot."

"Cleaning it with blood,"

"He's a fool. A rich, pampered fool who's never seen what a broken home looks like. He thinks fear keeps us in line."

"And maybe it does... But only for so long."

"Do you think he knows what it feels like?"

"Naa, he is there sitting in his 100 gate sky castle, feasting on best dishes while kids die for onions out here."

"There's even a rumor that they are setting up for a demonic ritual."

"What do you think? Will he summon a devil? Or gates to hell?"

"Who knows but... Long live the Emperor,"

"May he choke on his morning coffee." The sound of gass clicking echoed as I looked away.

Paying for my coffee, I left the cafe and stared walking towards church.

In the distance was the academy.

Arcane academy, said to be the largest academy in the kngdom and one of the biggest if not the biggest in the entire world.

People from all forms of life, from rich to poor, and even from contries far away come here in hope to become one of the strongest of thier era.

That's what the academy promises and I have to say they certainly don't lie...

The facilities here are top notch, from food to accommodation, to even cleanliness here was taken care of and all we gotta do is focus on improving ourselves.

Although not much, the teachers here indeed do help.

Sure, they don't hold your hand every step of the way, but they guide you just enough to make you grow on your own.

An example would be last week, the close combat teacher, who instructed me how I could improve my sword skills and pointed me in right direction which was also kind of a big help indeed.

Through the speed at which I improved is still slow... I am more suited to be a mage without a doubt.

Anyways, the academy have a ton of fusion spell in the library recorded by many generations of mages which could be purchased at a price from the academy of students can make thier own spell too.

If we record an original spell, we will even be provided with royalty whenever the spell is purchased so it's a profitable business indeed.

I was a bit tempted since my spell are all original by master but decided not to give up on any however, it led me to gain even more attention.

Since I have trained with master in secret, no one in the academy knows that I have a whole lot of spells, and some people talked with me and suggested me some spells but since I haven't purchased any yet... Things have become awkward.

Which is kinda understandable since being a genius for magic, everyone have only seen me practice with swords so, the attention I have drawn is to the point where I now think that to avoid it, I have to purchase some spells which I will probably never use.

Fortunately tho, I got a job...

'And it's rather peaceful one...' I thought to myself as I tended to the garden.

Yes, that's my job, to take care of the garden, manage the grass, water the plants and everything else three times a week.

I do that on weekends, and take an off day in between to come here and tends the garden of the holy cathedral.

Through this place is so big that even if I work all day, I can't do this alone but fortunately, there is an old man and his daughter who works here with me...

"You look like you are enjoying yourself..."

Suddenly, a voice called me from behind, "Lady Ariana," I said, as I smiled at her, it was all thanks to her that I got this job.

If not for her recommendation, who knows for how long I might have to search for a job all around.

"You like your new job?" She asked as she sat on the bench behind me as I kept watering the plants.

"Of course," I said, turning around, "The green garden, the beautiful flowers and warm sun... Whenever I see them, i feels like I have achieved something which I have longed for a very long time..." I said, looking at the beautiful garden in front of me.

The sound of water running in the background and marble statues all around make this place looks holy, "It's good to see someone appreciate mother nature." Ariana said with a chuckle.

"Sometimes, we take this freedom of living under the blue skies on fresh grass for granted," I said, picking up a flower pot beside me, "This is for you My Lady," I said handing it over to her.

"A gift?" She asked, taking it in her hand and looked at the strange yellow flower, "A perfect gift from a gardener, right?" I said with a little laugh, "They are called sunflower, a flower common in north."

"It is beautiful, I can see why it's called sunflower..."

"I know right?" I said, pausing for a while looking at the flower and continued, "One day, I will make a house, and the garden will have a field of sunflowers."

"That's a beautiful dream,"

"Dreams are meant to be beautiful."

"That's why it hurts when you fail, right?"

"I won't,"

"And what if you did?"

"If I fail?" I asked, before a smile appeared on my face, "Then I'll try again. As many times as it takes, because it's not just my dream."